The university has partnered with a select group of vendors to support the creative and marketing needs across campus. The contracted vendors are listed below by areas of expertise and are ready to help you meet your goals.
Units should coordinate with their brand manager first to brief them on project goals and ensure there are no internal resources available to complete the work. If it is determined that working with a vendor is appropriate, reach out directly to the vendor that best meets your project needs. They will collaborate with you to establish a scope of work and produce estimates based on their rates. All vendors are required to adhere to brand guidelines and have received training from the Office of Strategic Communication to streamline the process.
Vendor list by area of expertise
Multimedia
Our multimedia service vendors offer a diverse range of expertise, specializing in photography, video production, animation and motion graphics, data visualization, audio production, and storytelling.
Hawk City Productions
Iowa City, IA
Hawk City Productions has been producing video with Iowa for over 15 years. Hawk City specializes in videography and offers a host of services including: 2-D and 3-D animation, motion graphics, data visualization, audio production, concept creation, and brand storytelling. Whether you have an idea you want brought to life, or you don't know where to start, Hawk City will align its vision with yours to achieve your goals. From department promo videos and informational/educational videos to feature-length documentaries, podcasts, and animated social media promos, Hawk City will work with your team to produce virtually anything you can imagine.
Contact Information
Nick Lindaman
nick@hawkcityproductions.com
(319) 400-5484
hawkcityproductions.com
Lemonly
Sioux Falls, SD
As “home of the world’s best infographics,” Lemonly uses an infographic-inspired design approach to make all kinds of content more attention-grabbing, understandable, and engaging. Lemonly specializes in infographics (of course), custom and templated presentations, ebooks and reports, interactive quizzes and microsites, animated and hybrid explainer videos, and design systems (design toolkits, messaging guides, illustration libraries, and more). 🍋
Contact Information
Jade Delaney
jade@lemonly.com
(605) 610-8585
lemonly.com
View work samples
Miranda Meyer Photography
Iowa City, IA
Contact Information
Miranda Meyer
mirandameyerphoto@gmail.com
(319) 621-4811
miranda-meyer.com
Graphic design
Our graphic design vendors have extensive expertise across various design disciplines and are well-versed in Iowa's visual identity and brand guidelines. They specialize in print and digital design, data visualization, presentation design, and template design and development.
Benson & Hepker
Iowa City, IA
Benson & Hepker Design has been partnering with the University of Iowa for over 25 years, designing alumni magazines, exhibit components, street banners, annual reports, brochures, and data visualizations like scientific figures and infographics for a variety of Iowa’s colleges and departments. Founded on the belief that the best design is an authentic reflection of the story it tells, Benson & Hepker looks forward to helping you achieve your communication goals.
Contact Information
Robyn Hepker
robyn@bhdesign.com
(319) 339-7512
bhdesign.com
Creative Mellen
Iowa City, IA
Contact Information
Kevin Mellen
kmellen@creativemellen.com
(319) 382-5177
creativemellen.com
Lemonly
Sioux Falls, SD
As “home of the world’s best infographics,” Lemonly uses an infographic-inspired design approach to make all kinds of content more attention-grabbing, understandable, and engaging. Lemonly specializes in infographics (of course), custom and templated presentations, ebooks and reports, interactive quizzes and microsites, animated and hybrid explainer videos, and design systems (design toolkits, messaging guides, illustration libraries, and more). 🍋
Contact Information
Jade Delaney
jade@lemonly.com
(605) 610-8585
lemonly.com
View work samples
de Novo Marketing
Cedar Rapids, IA
As a full-service agency, de Novo Marketing offers a breadth of skilled design and content solutions. From print pieces and digital ads to website copy and video development, de Novo crafts work that is sincere, satisfying, and moving. Creativity, behavioral science, and a crazy idea or two are the hallmarks of our approach. As a preferred vendor, de Novo is here to create designs, messaging, and visuals that are refreshingly meaningful — supporting your goals by showing (and telling) what makes Iowa such a special place.
Contact Information
Alicia Anderson
alicia@thinkdenovo.com
(319) 200-4468
thinkdenovo.com
Storytelling and content creation
These vendors specialize in bringing the university’s brand narrative to life through a variety of content types. They are skilled at writing persuasive ad copy, SEO-driven web content, campaign creative, social media posts, editorial content, and blogs that resonate with audiences.
de Novo Marketing
Cedar Rapids, IA
As a full-service agency, de Novo Marketing offers a breadth of skilled design and content solutions. From print pieces and digital ads to website copy and video development, de Novo crafts work that is sincere, satisfying, and moving. Creativity, behavioral science, and a crazy idea or two are the hallmarks of our approach. As a preferred vendor, de Novo is here to create designs, messaging, and visuals that are refreshingly meaningful — supporting your goals by showing (and telling) what makes Iowa such a special place.
Contact Information
Alicia Anderson
alicia@thinkdenovo.com
(319) 200-4468
thinkdenovo.com
Strategic America
West Des Moines, IA
Strategic America (SA) is an approved partner for content creation/strategy, storytelling, and website services, which includes website search engine optimization (SEO) recommendations and suggestions to enhance the user/visitor experience (UI/UX). Founded in 1980 and based in Des Moines, SA supports clients with digital and traditional marketing and communication services from product launches and service expansion to event planning, reports, flyers, brochures, social posts, and other strategic communication. Data informs nearly everything SA does — from creation to placement and measurement — with the primary goal of getting the reader or visitor to act.
Contact Information
Dave Miglin
dmiglin@strategicamerica.com
(515) 453-2002
strategicamerica.com
Content strategy and web services
Our content strategy vendors specialize in designing, creating, and maintaining content aligned with user needs. They excel in conducting thorough content analysis, refining strategies based on analytics, optimizing navigation structures for intuitive site exploration, and developing SEO-driven web content within the university's Drupal-based CMS.
Strategic America
West Des Moines, IA
Strategic America (SA) is an approved partner for content creation/strategy, storytelling, and website services, which includes website search engine optimization (SEO) recommendations and suggestions to enhance the user/visitor experience (UI/UX). Founded in 1980 and based in Des Moines, SA supports clients with digital and traditional marketing and communication services from product launches and service expansion to event planning, reports, flyers, brochures, social posts, and other strategic communication. Data informs nearly everything SA does — from creation to placement and measurement — with the primary goal of getting the reader or visitor to act.
Contact Information
Dave Miglin
dmiglin@strategicamerica.com
(515) 453-2002
strategicamerica.com
Pickle Jar Communications
London, UK
Pickle Jar Communications has partnered with over 300 education institutions across more than 30 countries to create effective content strategies. Pickle Jar aligns content with objectives, addressing needs in student recruitment, research communications, alumni engagement, and internal communications. Pickle Jar’s services include website audits, performance analysis, audience research, user testing, and designing website structures and content marketing plans. Pickle Jar also specializes in improving content operations and streamlining workflows. As creators of ContentEd — the go-to learning community and conference for education content professionals — Pickle Jar empowers teams to deliver impactful, strategic content.
Contact Information
Tracy Playle
tracy@picklejarcommunications.com
+44 7904 845000
picklejarcommunications.com
Media strategy, buying, and campaign planning
Our media vendors have extensive experience managing campaigns with the University of Iowa, enabling them to develop comprehensive strategies and manage media buying across diverse channels. This includes paid search, social media, display ads, CTV, traditional media, and out-of-home ads, ensuring effective lead generation and campaign management.
Bucket Agency
Johnston, IA
Bucket Agency is a woman-owned full-service agency and has been a trusted partner of Iowa since 2014. Bucket Agency’s account team and in-house media buyers will help you specifically identify your target audience and how to best reach them. Bucket Agency has worked with dozens of higher education institutions and has the expertise to execute media plans that span all platforms. As a preferred vendor, Bucket Agency ensures you the utmost responsiveness and looks forward to learning more about your goals and objectives and crafting a media presence that best suits your needs.
Contact Information
Emily Price
Emily@bucketagency.com
(573) 356-8045
bucketagency.com
Informatics
Cedar Rapids, IA
Informatics has been a trusted marketing and web partner to Iowa for more than 14 years. Over the past two years, Informatics has developed programs to guide the university's media strategy and campaign planning needs. As a full-service marketing agency, Informatics specializes in creating and executing paid search and display ads, social media, CTV/OTT, programmatic, traditional media buying, and out-of-home advertising. Informatics helps strengthen the UI community by raising brand awareness and generating valuable leads for student, faculty, and program recruitment. Informatics uses a data-driven strategy that makes it perfect for marketing projects seeking new audiences, conversions, or measurable results.
Contact Information
Megan Thomas
megan.thomas@informaticsinc.com
(319) 382-0312
informaticsinc.com
True Interactive
Schaumburg, IL
True Interactive has teamed up with Iowa for the past three years, providing comprehensive marketing services designed to attract, engage, and retain students. True Interactive manages paid media campaigns to help drive enrollments and increase brand awareness for all degree programs, including bachelor's, master's, PHD, certificate, and more. True Interactive’s paid media expertise includes paid search (SEM/PPC), social media (Meta, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc.), video (YouTube), programmatic display (remarketing, banner ads, audio), connected TV/OTT, analytics, and conversion optimization.
Contact Information
Kurt Anagnostopoulos
kurt@trueinteractive.com
(847) 222-1328
trueinteractive.com
Brand strategy and messaging
Specializing in comprehensive strategy projects, our vendor excels in qualitative and quantitative research to understand audience preferences, behaviors, and needs. They leverage Iowa's existing brand platform and identity to develop distinctive messaging frameworks and creative concepts that ensure consistency across diverse campus areas while adapting to Iowa's unique offerings.
Simpson Scarborough
Alexandria, VA
Contact Information
Andrea Kruszka
ak@simpsonscarborough.com
(630) 430-5561
simpsonscarborough.com
Contact OSC Brand Management for more detailed information regarding vendor expertise, hourly rates, and retainer options.