PR Case Study - CSUSM

Traffic surges handled instantly

Updates shared in real time

One hub for all crisis info

We have established ourselves, not only during emergencies, as the source of accurate and fast campus information.

Katie Chappell

Web and Social Media Specialist, CSUSM

BEFORE Presspage

Comms during emergencies were inconsistent and hard to manage

No single place to publish info.
Couldn’t handle high traffic volumes.
Delays in sharing critical updates.

AFTER Presspage

A single, reliable platform to share urgent updates

One link for all stakeholders.
Newsroom handled sudden traffic spikes.
Team worked faster, with less stress.

Real-time response during wildfires

When nine wildfires broke out in the region, CSUSM closed campus and set up a Situation Room. The team published updates regularly through Presspage, ensuring students, staff, families, and the wider public stayed informed.

The newsroom became the go-to source for verified updates, accessible from any device. Presspage’s auto-scaling system absorbed traffic spikes without issues, so the team didn’t have to stress about tech.

The public got accurate info fast.
The media pulled updates directly from the newsroom.
The team avoided duplicate work across channels.

“We had set the expectation for where people could find information, and where we would be updating it. It was a much, much smoother process from our perspective.”

Katie Chappell,
Web and Social Media Specialist, CSUSM

From emergency tool to everyday platform

After the wildfire crisis, CSUSM didn’t stop using Presspage. What started as a tool for urgent updates became part of their regular communications workflow.

With the newsroom already in place, the team continued using it to publish campus news, events, and updates for students, staff, and media. Presspage gave them an easy way to manage everything in one place, reducing their dependency on IT.

Used for everyday campus communications
The same tools work for crisis and routine PR
A small team keeps the output consistent and professional

“Now we have pre-written messages and press releases in the event of most campus emergencies. The statements have been vetted and approved by the university leadership and would only need slight updates if they were ever needed.”

Katie Chappell
Web and Social Media Specialist, CSUSM

The results

With Presspage's help, CSUSM built confidence in their PR strategy and with their audience.

One central hub for all crisis updates
The team could act fast, without IT
The public trusted their communications
Same tools are now used for day-to-day PR

Want to see how Presspage can transform your brand’s PR workflow? Book a demo today.

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We had set the expectation for where people could find information, and where we would be updating it. It was a much, much smoother process from our perspective. We have established ourselves, not only during emergencies, but just in general, as the source of [campus] information, and that we also provide accurate information as quickly as possible.

Katie Chapell

Web and Social Media Specialist,
CSUSM

Trial by fire for the California State University San Marcos PR team

Trial by fire for the California State University San Marcos PR team

Trial by fire for the California State University San Marcos PR team

The public relations guide to Crisis Communications

The public relations guide to Crisis Communications

Trial by fire for the California State University San Marcos PR team

CSUSM keeps control during wildfires

Traffic surges handled instantly

Updates shared in real time

One hub for all crisis info

We have established ourselves, not only during emergencies, as the source of accurate and fast campus information.

Katie Chappell

BEFORE Presspage

AFTER Presspage

Real-time response during wildfires

Read more

Ready for a PR systems reboot?

From emergency tool to everyday platform

Read more

The results

"We have established ourselves, not only during emergencies, as the source of accurate and fast campus information"

Explore our other success stories

smart Automobile

Sif Group

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Katie Chapell

Ready for a PR systems reboot?

Ready for a PR systems reboot?