Michael Benning

As the social media director, Michael manages a team responsible for strengthening and protecting the University of Iowa brand on social media. Validated by third-party metrics that measure social media engagement, several of Iowa’s channels stack up against the highest performing in the world among higher education. Michael is responsible for setting the social media strategy, approving and creating content, gathering and utilizing metrics, and serving as a campus expert on social media. He is also responsible for planning, executing, and reporting on paid digital campaigns for the university. He loves the Midwest and considers it a great privilege to be able to help build the brand of a Big Ten university.

9:45 a.m.–10:30 a.m. PDT — Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Panel: Dealing with Negative Comments & Trolls on Social Media

This panel will discuss:

• Examples of crisis situations that elicited negative attention on social, and how universities responded
• How and when to resume normal posting after huge influxes of negative comments online
• How to take a stand against hateful speech on social media channels while respecting the First Amendment
• Handling the mental impacts of negativity online
• How negative comments can create opportunities to connect