Rocky Mountain Student Media

What Rocky Mountain Student Media does

Rocky Mountain Student Media Corporation (RMSMC) is a 509(a)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit student media organization affiliated with Colorado State University, headquartered in the Lory Student Center in Fort Collins, Colorado. It operates six integrated media outlets: the Rocky Mountain Collegian newspaper (founded 1891, daily digital and weekly print, 1,000 print circulation), KCSU 90.5 FM radio (founded 1964, 10,000-watt broadcast reaching 250,000+ listeners from Greeley to the Wyoming border with a 30,000+ song library), CTV Channel 11 (founded 1989, Comcast cable and YouTube live broadcasts with 33 awards since 2016), College Avenue Magazine (founded 2005, quarterly lifestyle publication with 3,000 copies per issue), Fifty03 Visuals (commercial video production), and Tree Stump Films (founded 2020, documentary production with Rocky Mountain PBS distribution). Approximately 200 students are employed at any given time (425+ per year), supported by faculty advisors, with a governance Board of 11 CSU students and 4 non-students.

The underlying platform is student-operated rather than technology-led: production uses standard digital audio, video, print, and web infrastructure, plus digital advertising placements, email newsletter systems, and social channels across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X/Twitter, and YouTube. The technology stack supports streaming (KCSU 24/7 online, CTV YouTube), web banner and newsletter ad delivery (averaging 63,000+ monthly impressions), and integrated social/marketing packages. There is no proprietary software, API, or AI/ML capability disclosed; all creative output and editorial work is produced by student staff under professional oversight.

RMSMC monetizes through a hybrid model. Approximately 54% of operating income is sourced from the Associated Students of Colorado State University (ASCSU) via student fees; the remaining ~46% is generated from advertising across print, digital, broadcast, and out-of-home channels, video production services ($500-$3,000 packages), sponsored content ($175 per article, $175 per social post, $1,475 for an 8-page magazine section), and creative services including brand identity, Google Ads management ($300-$350/month), and social media management ($375-$500/month). Bundle discounts of 10-30% for $3K-$10K+ packages incentivize multi-platform commitments, and CSU-affiliated departments receive 20% off video services. The customer base consists primarily of Fort Collins SMBs (AllGuard, Wing Shack, Trailcraft Cycles, Campus West Liquor, Clean Eatz, Lucky 27) and CSU internal departments, with the total addressable market capped at the Northern Colorado region. The organization's annual operating budget is approximately $1.2 million as approved by the Board of Directors.

Name

Rocky Mountain Student Media

Legal name

Rocky Mountain Student Media Corporation

Website

https://rmsmc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1891

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Rocky Mountain Student Media Corporation is a nonprofit student media organization at Colorado State University operating six outlets including the Rocky Mountain Collegian newspaper, KCSU 90.5 FM radio, CTV Channel 11, College Avenue Magazine, Fifty03 Visuals, and Tree Stump Films, serving Fort Collins businesses, CSU departments, and Northern Colorado audiences through print, broadcast, digital, and video advertising and creative services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Media Advertising Services

NAICS

Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)

SIC

Miscellaneous Publishing (2741), Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Student Media & Publications (Newspaper, Radio, TV) (EDALAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

University/Educational Local Stations (College Radio, Campus TV) (MPABACAH), Educational & Instructional Nonfiction (MPADADAL)

Keywords

• Student media advertising
• Campus media production
• College newspaper publishing
• Student radio broadcasting
• Video production services

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Collins

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Print Advertising: Advertising placements in physical publications including The Rocky Mountain Collegian (1,000 print circulation weekly), College Avenue Magazine (3,000 copies per issue), and special publications (Housing Guide, Best of CSU, Graduation Edition, etc.). Rates vary by placement and publication.
2. Digital Advertising: Web banner ads, sponsored content, and native advertising across digital properties (Collegian.com, KCSUFM.com). Monthly impressions exceed 63,000. Pricing includes sidebar ads ($350-960/month), leaderboard banners ($450-1,200/month), and email newsletter placements.
3. Broadcast Advertising: Audio and video advertising on KCSU 90.5 FM (300,000+ potential listeners) and CTV Channel 11 (Comcast cable and YouTube). Includes pre-recorded announcements, live read sponsorships, and newscast sponsorships.
4. Video Production Services: Fifty03 Visuals produces commercial videos for clients. Package pricing ranges from $500 (one 1-2 minute video) to $3,000 (six 30-second to 1-minute videos plus compilation). Includes filming at $75/hour per crew member and editing at $75/hour.
5. Content Creation & Sponsored Content: Custom sponsored articles ($175 each with 3 do-follow links), social media posts ($175 with $25 ad boost), and magazine feature sections ($1,475 for 8-page section in College Avenue Magazine).
6. ASCSU Funding: Approximately 54% of income provided by Associated Students of Colorado State University (ASCSU) for fostering student careers and campus engagement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rocky Mountain Student Media Corporation produces and distributes student-led media content across print (Rocky Mountain Collegian newspaper, College Avenue Magazine), broadcast (KCSU 90.5 FM radio, CTV Channel 11 television), and digital/video (Fifty03 Visuals, Tree Stump Films) platforms while selling integrated advertising services to local Fort Collins businesses, CSU departments, and national brands seeking access to the 33,000+ member CSU student market. The organization also offers commercial video production, creative services, branded sponsored content, and special publications including the Best of CSU guide and CSU Grad Book yearbook.

Product overview

Rocky Mountain Student Media Corporation is a multi-platform student media organization operating six award-winning media outlets: The Rocky Mountain Collegian (newspaper established 1891), KCSU 90.5 FM (radio station since 1964), CTV Channel 11 (television since 1989), College Avenue Magazine (quarterly since 2005), Fifty03 Visuals (video production), and Tree Stump Films (documentary production since 2020). The organization employs 200+ student employees and reaches over 300,000 people in Northern Colorado. In addition to core media operations, RMSMC offers integrated advertising services (print, digital, broadcast, and out-of-home), creative services, and special publications including the Best of CSU annual guide. The organization also runs Aggie Style (fashion/lifestyle content), the CSU Grad Book (yearbook), Ram Deals (student discount program), and the Orange Cord alumni association. RMSMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and 509(a)(3) tax-exempt organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Aggie Style: Fashion and lifestyle content platform featuring student-produced content including video, photography, editorial, and interactive flipbooks showcasing CSU campus style culture
• Best of CSU
• The Stump
• Ram Report
• The Orange Cord

Products and services

• The Rocky Mountain Collegian CSU's independent student newspaper publishing digitally Monday through Thursday and in print on Thursdays during the academic year. Covers breaking news, in-depth features, sports, and campus discourse for the CSU campus and Fort Collins community. Operates with editorial independence since 2008.
• KCSU 90.5 FM Student-run radio station broadcasting at 10,000 watts reaching over 250,000 listeners from Greeley to Longmont to the Wyoming border. Features a 30,000+ song library focusing on underrepresented music with daily new album additions. Operates 24/7 online streaming worldwide with programming including music, news, talk shows, and CSU sports coverage.
• CTV Channel 11 Student-operated TV station broadcasting live weeknights at 7 p.m. on Comcast cable (channel 11/880) and YouTube. Features news, sports, entertainment, and talk show programming. Winner of TV Station of the Year (2023-2024) and a Student Emmy.
• College Avenue Magazine Quarterly lifestyle magazine serving CSU and Fort Collins communities with innovative storytelling, design, and photography. Published in print (3,000 copies per issue) and digitally. SPJ Best Ongoing Student Magazine winner (2023-2024).
• Fifty03 Visuals

Quantifiable outcome

• 8% enrollment increase for CSU Summer through targeted video campaigns
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CSU Marketing & CommunicationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with CSU Marketing & Communications to produce the annual Fort Collins and Colorado State University Visitors Guide publication. RMSMC creative services team handles design, layout, and production.
• Rocky Mountain PBScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTree Stump Films documentaries broadcast on Rocky Mountain PBS and screen at prestigious festivals including Telluride. Partnership provides professional broadcast opportunities for student filmmakers.
• Lauren StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to publish the new CSU Grad Book (yearbook) after a 23-year hiatus. Lauren Studios handles senior portrait photography while RMSMC manages publication and distribution.
• CSU Academic Departments (History, Warner College, Natural Science, English, etc.)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTree Stump Films partners with various CSU academic departments including History, Warner College of Natural Sciences, English, and Collaborative for Student Achievement for documentary projects.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Michigan Daily: University of Michigan's independent student newspaper, with multi-platform advertising operations comparable to RMSMC. Operates with a similar embedded-university, advertising-supported business model.
• The Stanford Daily: Stanford University's independent student newspaper, founded 1892. Closely comparable to Rocky Mountain Collegian in its role as a flagship student daily serving a major university community with print and digital operations.
• The Daily Northwestern: Northwestern University's student newspaper, operating daily digital and weekly print editions with integrated advertising sales — a direct functional peer to the Rocky Mountain Collegian operation.
• The Daily Pennsylvanian: University of Pennsylvania's independent student newspaper. Direct peer in terms of multi-platform student journalism, advertising-supported model, and serving a major university market.
• The Cavalier Daily: University of Virginia's independent student newspaper, founded 1890, operating print and digital with integrated local advertising sales. Comparable in heritage and multi-platform structure to RMSMC.
• The Daily Targum: Rutgers University's student newspaper. Operates with a similar advertising sales motion targeting local businesses and university departments seeking access to a large student population.
• The Daily Texan: University of Texas at Austin's student newspaper, one of the largest college dailies in the U.S. Operates comparable print, digital, and integrated advertising operations targeting a major university market.
• The Cornell Daily Sun: Cornell University's independent student newspaper. Direct peer in terms of independent editorial structure, multi-platform publishing, and advertising-supported business model.

Regional players

• The Coloradoan: Fort Collins' primary daily newspaper, operated by Gannett (USA Today Network). Local market competitor for Fort Collins advertising dollars; comparable in print/digital local news delivery to RMSMC's print outlets but serving a broader non-student audience.

Others

• College Media Association: National trade association for college media outlets. Useful peer-adjacent reference as the body that grants Pinnacle Awards to RMSMC and connects it with peer student media organizations across U.S. universities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/csucollegian
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCENyaEgwpULnC-ErVYRYBGA
• Facebookfacebook.com/CSUCollegian
• Instagraminstagram.com/csucollegian

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rocky Mountain Student Media