Techer magazine served the California Institute of Technology's 25,000 alumni as a printed annual publication for decades. By 2024, the model was under pressure: A once-a-year mailing couldn't sustain engagement between issues, the approximately $60,000 print-and-mail cycle was difficult to justify against tightening budgets, and alumni (along with the rest of the world!) were increasingly consuming content on mobile and digital platforms. In 2025, Caltech Alumni's three-person communications team transformed Techer from a single annual print issue into a digital, multi-platform content engine. The goal: dramatically increase the frequency, reach, and depth of alumni storytelling while maintaining the quality--in long-form reporting, photography, and illustration--that Techer is known for. The transformation had three pillars: a fully redesigned, mobile-first website with in-depth features published monthly; a redesigned newsletter and daily social media presence across LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube; and Techer Live, a new livestreamed events series bringing Caltech research and alumni stories to a global audience. Publication cadence went from once a year to continuous: quarterly live virtual events, monthly long-form features, weekly news articles, and daily social posts. In its first six months, the relaunched Techer reached 101,900 users and generated 53,900 engaged sessions. Top features averaged over 1 minute of engagement time, well above the 30-second industry benchmark for digital editorial content. Techer Live events have averaged approximately 1,000 registrations each, a 4% rate against the alumni base.
From the Judges
Great photography and well-written stories that present science in an accessible way.
