Reference Request

* required
Please succinctly provide us with any information pertinent to your inquiry. If you are writing to us about a research request, provide as much detail as possible about the collections in which you are interested (including collection numbers, box numbers, and folder titles).
(if known)

The Smithsonian Institution Archives is using Constant Contact, a third-party contact management software vendor, to manage contacts and send eNewsletters. Please be advised that Constant Contact's Privacy Statement and Terms and Conditions apply to your use of these services. The Smithsonian Institution Archives has access to your name and email address which is subject to our privacy statement.

Finding Aids to Oral Histories in the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Record Unit 9631

Smithsonian Branding Campaign Oral History Interviews, 2012

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:
Title:Smithsonian Branding Campaign Oral History Interviews
Dates:2012
Quantity:0.25 cu. ft. (1 half document box)
Collection:Record Unit 9631
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

Smithsonian Smith College intern, Elaura Dunning, conducted a series of oral history interviews to document the "Seriously Amazing" Smithsonian Institution branding campaign carried out in the fall of 2012. Pherabe Kolb, Sarah Sulik, Effie Kapsalis and Mamie Williams discussed the campaign from their individual perspectives. Larry Samuels added additional thoughts via email.

Historical Note

The Smithsonian Branding interviews were conducted as part of a larger research project done by Smithsonian Institution Archives (SIA) intern Elaura Dunning during September through December 2012. Dunning's project focused on the history of branding, or the process by which organizations manage their image and reputation, at the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian's new branding campaign, "Seriously Amazing/Questions Come Alive at the Smithsonian" provides context for these interviews about the campaign's background, the Smithsonian's use of social media and their target demographics, the Smithsonian Institutional Archives' presence on the Internet, and how fundraising for the Smithsonian Institution Archives will be managed.

Interviewees include the Smithsonian's Office of Communications and External Affairs' Associate Director of Strategic Communications, Pherabe Kolb, who helped develop and supervise the launch of the new branding campaign; an Office of Communications and External Affairs Public Affairs Specialist, Sarah Sulick, who helped manage the Smithsonian's social media accounts and incorporate new material from the "Seriously Amazing" campaign; Effie Kapsalis, the Smithsonian Institution Archives' Head of Web and New Media, who assists in managing the online presence of the SIA; and Mamie J. Williams, the SIA's new Director of Advancement, who discusses fundraising at the Smithsonian.

Top of Page

Introduction

The Smithsonian Institution Archives began its Oral History Collection in 1973. The purpose of the program is to supplement the written documentation of the Archives' record and manuscript collections with an Oral History Collection, focusing on the history of the Institution, research by its scholars, and contributions of its staff. Program staff conduct interviews with current and retired Smithsonian staff and others who have made significant contributions to the Institution. There are also interviews conducted by researchers or students on topics related to the history of the Smithsonian or the holdings of the Smithsonian Institution Archives.

The Smithsonian Branding Interviews were conducted in response to the Smithsonian's 2012 launch of a new branding campaign in order to detail the background of the campaign and its interaction with the Smithsonian Institution Archives.

Top of Page

Descriptive Entry

These interviews, conducted by Smithsonian Institution Archives intern Elaura Dunning, were recorded in September and October of 2012 at the Capital Gallery building and the Smithsonian Institution Building, Washington, D.C. They cover motivations behind the Smithsonian's new branding campaign, integration of social media and web resources into the work of the Smithsonian brand, details of fundraising for the Smithsonian Institution Archives, and responses to the "Seriously Amazing/Questions Come Alive" campaign.

This collection is comprised of four interviews, one with each subject, totaling 2.2 hours of recording and 58 total pages of transcript.

Top of Page

Use Restriction

Restricted. Contact SIHistory@si.edu to request permission.

Top of Page

Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 9631, Smithsonian Branding Campaign Oral History Interviews

Top of Page

Container List

Interviews

Interview 1: September 26, 2012

Interviews

Pherabe Kolb covers the background of the 2012 campaign launch and the bigger notion of what makes up the Smithsonian brand.

Interviews

Transcript, pp. 1-22, of audio recording, 42 minutes.

Interviews

Audio Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 42 minutes

Interviews
Original Masters: 1 digital audio file in .wav format
Reference Copy: 1 digital .mp3 file.

Interview 2: September 28, 2012

Interviews

Sarah Sulick covers the Smithsonian's use of social media to engage with the campaign, and how people are reacting to the Institution online.

Interviews

Transcript, pp. 1-13 of audio recording, 28 minutes.

Interviews

Audio Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 28 minutes

Interviews
Original Masters: 1 digital audio file in .wav format
Reference Copy: 1 digital .mp3 file.

Interview 3: October 1, 2012

Interviews

Effie Kapsalis discusses her personal background, work with the Smithsonian Photography Initiative, and the online presence of the Smithsonian Institution Archives.

Interviews

Transcript, pp. 1-12 of audio recording, 33 minutes.

Interviews

Audio Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 33 minutes

Interviews
Original Masters: 1 digital audio file in .wav format
Reference Copy: 1 digital .mp3 file.

Interview 4: October 2, 2012

Interviews

Mamie Williams covers her career in fundraising, and as newly-hired director of advancement, how she can establish a plan for fundraising in the Smithsonian Institution Archives.

Interviews

Transcript, pp. 1-11 of audio recording, 26 minutes.

Interviews

Audio Recording of Interview: Total recording time: 26 minutes

Interviews
Original Masters: 1 digital audio file in .wav format
Reference Copy: 1 digital .mp3 file.