Research of Sooner Yearbook

Tina Bradley
May 6, 2008

Research of Sooner Yearbook

Initial research was compiled from various websites, books and Sooner yearbook. While primary and secondary research was conducted from the following client selection not much outside research was readily available regarding college yearbooks. From information obtained by the client only 82 college yearbooks were still in existence in the United States. Since "death of the yearbook" (http://www.collegemedia.org/) story was first reported, CMA Past President Kathy Lawrence of the University of Texas at Austin started compiling figures to try and produce a count of how many college yearbooks are still being published. Her current count puts that total at 533, "far better than the article reflected," she reported to colleagues on the list. (http://www.collegemedia.org/) Based on these reports, one online site – (www.CollegeOTR.com ) (On The Record) -- even went so far as to proclaim "Facebook Kills the College Yearbook." Upon secondary research it was thought that the yearbook would face an ultimate demise due to MySpace and Facebook being so prevalent in today’s society.

The primary focus for the client is to create sales to prevent the demise of Sooner yearbook. During the duration of initial research the found that price was considered a myth. Offered at a minimal price compared to other yearbooks, cost was not considered a primary issue for Sooner. The yearbook for the University of Oklahoma is considered as important as OU Football, right? So lack thereof would create the desire of something to be a chronicle of life spent at university. Colleges that have "lost" or killed off their yearbooks are now struggling, at immense cost, to revive a tradition that, once cut, bleeds. Surely there is a better way to increase morale and straighten the traditional yearbook. (http://www.scj.us/reporter/feb00.htm)
1. Death of the Yearbook
2. Yearbook List
3. Facebook Kills
4. Increase Morale