September 14, 2026 Marketing and Communications Update
We are pleased to share that for the second year in a row, Texas A&M University has been recognized with a Fast Company Innovation by Design Award. The content package is now available. Also, we share the content package for our 2026 brand anthem and the success of our Red, White and Blue Game. Plus, there is more helpful information and resources.
Howdy, University MarComm Community,
The Red, White and Blue Game was a major success, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported the effort. Your generosity and enthusiasm helped us raise over $100,000 for the Hall of Honor renovation, including the special addition of Matt Williams ’25 and all future Aggie recipients. This work is meaningful to our community, and we are proud to help recognize and celebrate such an important legacy. Below we have updates on several content packages and hope you look for ways to engage with them on your channels.
Innovation by Design Award
For the second year in a row, Texas A&M University has been recognized with a Fast Company Innovation by Design Award. Texas A&M’s pioneering, high-impact research into understanding, detecting and treating neurodegenerative diseases like dementia is nearing breakthroughs to help millions of people.
At the epicenter of the dementia-detection effort is the university’s Dementia and Alzheimer’s Research Initiative led by Texas A&M Health, which, through its support of research aimed at improving detection, treatment and care, is supporting research into an AI-powered “digital human.” That research won the Innovation by Design large business category, ahead of drugmaker Pfizer, while Landor and Deutsche Telekom are honorable mentions.
The award recognizes design-driven solutions across industries, including health and sustainability. The honor places Texas A&M among a select group of innovators whose work is shaping the future.
Innovation by Design Content Package
2026 Brand Anthem Content Package
This fall marks a truly historic year for Texas A&M. As we welcome the new academic year, we are preparing to celebrate major milestones that reflect who we are as an institution, what we stand for and the impact Aggies continue to make in Texas, across the nation and around the world. The anthem is more than a celebration of Texas A&M; it is a reflection of our shared commitment to working together for the good of our communities. For 150 years, Aggies have lived out this commitment through service, leadership and a shared responsibility to build a brighter, safer world. It is a reminder that the strength of our nation depends on people willing to show up for one another and work together for good. Please use the photos, stories and graphics packages to share this video and the stories in the video on your channels and with your audiences.
We have added the melt reels of video content to PhotoShelter so you can update content and use the video wherever you need.
Available Communities of Practice
Design Counsel
Design Counsel is a creative space for Texas A&M’s visual storytellers — a place to share ideas, spark inspiration and help shape what’s next for creativity and collaboration across the university. Each meeting dives into a new topic in marketing and communications, with lots of room to learn from one another and offer support.
The next meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 30, in Rudder 301. Please RSVP using the link below.
For more information, please contact Melissa Loudermilk, Designer for Brand Services, at mloudermilk@tamu.edu or via Slack or Teams.
Register for upcoming meetings
Internal Communications Community of Practice
Internal communications covers a wide array of responsibilities and expectations among our faculty, staff, students and even external affiliates, and we are here to help! Join us on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 10 to 11 a.m., as we rotate to our next key topic and offer flexibility in the second half hour to troubleshoot, answer questions and identify ways to support your needs.
This month, we will focus on matching messaging to the most effective channel, using practical examples to help you decide which platform is best for your content. Then, let us help you ensure your content is successful with a straightforward checklist that guides you away from common mistakes and helps you confidently hit publish or send.
Join the Aug. 19 Internal Communications office hours
Aggie UX Training and Support
The Division of Marketing and Communications Web team hosts virtual office hours every third Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. These sessions include a different demo every month for using Aggie UX in Cascade, WordPress and Figma. Other practical advice for creating web content, applying best practices and using the Aggie UX design system is available on the MarComm site, including a list of on-demand online trainings. Be sure to sign up for Aggie UX-specific communications by joining the Aggie UX email list.
Research Communicators Network
The Divisions of Research and Marketing and Communications cohost a biweekly meeting for communicators to connect, share updates and collaborate around promoting Texas A&M’s research enterprise. These meetings are a valuable opportunity for everyone who attends, and we encourage you to send a representative if you do not have someone already participating from your unit, college or school.
When: Every other Tuesday, 10 a.m.
This informal virtual gathering is open to all communicators supporting research initiatives and researchers themselves. It’s a chance to ask questions, get feedback and align on research messaging across the university.
Contact Tim Doty, Assistant Vice President for National Media and Public Relations, or Rusty Cawley, Director of Research Communications, to be added to the calendar invitation.
Stay Connected
Know someone who should receive this? Share the sign-up link with a colleague.
Share the sign up link