U-M scores top ranking in online media interest

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 | Source: Concentrate

The University of Michigan's brand has become the leader when it comes to "chatter." A new study singles out U-M as the marquee university for generating public interest in a combination of media coverage, Internet traffic and social media mentions.

Texas-based Global Language Monitor's newest Predictive Qualities Indicator survey measured the buzz around university brands using an online-based word analysis. Michigan (previously No. 4) knocked off Harvard (now No. 3) for the top spot. Other followers included MIT, University of Chicago and Stanford University.

"It's like a brand analysis for Nike or Coca-Cola," says Paul JJ Payack, president of Global Language Monitor.

Payack attributed the shift in public sentiment to the 2008 financial market meltdown, which cost Harvard's endowment $11 billion. Those losses forced Harvard and other elite private universities that rely on their endowments to make major cuts this year, and allowed the big prestigious public universities like U-M and University of Wisconsin to gain ground. It also caused people to re-evaluate the value of the educations they receive.

"The ivy endowment hit was the subtext for a bigger conversation," Payack says.

Payack is a word analysis expert who has taught scientific and technological communications and other forms of expository writing at the University of Massachusetts and University of Texas. He also founded yourdictionary.com and Global Language Monitor.

Source: Paul JJ Payack, president of Global Language Monitor and the University of Michigan
Writer: Jon Zemke