Salesforce Marketing Cloud, the university’s new enterprise mass communication and marketing platform, will be rolled out across Cornell's departments and units over the next several years. 

This strategic implementation will help modernize and streamline our communications capabilities across the university, providing enhanced email marketing, automation, and engagement tracking capabilities.

About Project Scope

This implementation schedule includes the Cornell units listed below except Alumni Affairs and Development (AAD) teams. AAD team transitions to Marketing Cloud will be managed separately by the central AAD email team in a parallel implementation project. 

We recognize there is some overlap and some teams or individuals may be involved in both. Rest assured that we are working closely with the AAD email team to coordinate efforts and create a seamless experience for those who will be part of both projects.

Implementation Schedule Planning

The rollout schedule linked below has been carefully developed through collaborative discussions with units across campus. We have taken into consideration multiple factors including: 

• Team readiness and current communication needs
• Expressed interest and eagerness to adopt the new platform
• Preferred timing requests
• Technical dependencies
• Resource availability and team capacity
• Academic calendar considerations

While we have done our best to accommodate preferred implementation timing for each unit, we needed to balance individual preferences with technical requirements and overall project constraints to create a feasible implementation schedule.

Important Note About the Timeline

Given the complex nature of this multi-year Salesforce Marketing Cloud implementation, please note that the schedule outlined below represents our current planning timeline. 

It is not uncommon for large-scale projects like this to have schedule updates and adjustments as work progresses. We will communicate any schedule changes well in advance to affected units and maintain current information on our project website.

Implementation Schedule

The Marketing Cloud rollout will occur in waves, allowing for a systematic and well-supported transition for each unit. Find full details about each wave and its timing at Marketing Cloud: Current Implementation Schedule.

What to Expect

Each unit will receive detailed information approximately 4–6 weeks before their scheduled implementation date. This will include:

• A readiness check meeting
• Specific timeline for your unit's Marketing Cloud transition
• Resources and support documentation
• Key contacts for questions and assistance

Next Steps

Units in Wave 1 will receive detailed Marketing Cloud implementation plans in early 2025, and all other units will be contacted well in advance of their scheduled implementation. Regular updates will be provided through your department leadership, including timeline updates.

Staying Informed

Want to keep in touch with the progress of the implementation project? We encourage you to:

• Bookmark the IT@Cornell Marketing Cloud project website
• Review the Project Frequently Asked Questions which will be updated regularly
• Review the Marketing Cloud Preparation Checklist
• Reach out to project leadership (see email links below) with questions or concerns

We appreciate your cooperation and support as we work to enhance Cornell's communications infrastructure through Marketing Cloud. While this is a long-term project with potential adjustments along the way, we are committed to maintaining transparent communication throughout the implementation process.

If you have any questions about the Marketing Cloud rollout, please contact Rachael Potter or Nolan Lendved.