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University Marketing, University Relations Win Silver, Merit Awards for #SuccessStory Commercial Series, Recruitment Package

March 3, 2016

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MACOMB, IL -- Marketing and recruitment efforts created by University Marketing, University Relations and Office of Admissions at Western Illinois University were recently awarded honors in the 2015 Higher Education Marketing Report's 31st Annual Educational Advertising Awards.

University Marketing's 2015-2016 "I am a #SuccessStory, I am A Leatherneck" commercials featuring students and alumni and University Relations and Office of Admissions recruitment package (viewbook, search piece, folder and prospective student mailers) received a silver award and merit award, respectively. Western's #SuccessStory commercials, past and present, can be found at http://tinyurl.com/lu93c9u.

According to the Higher Education Marketing Report, the Educational Advertising Awards is the largest educational advertising awards competition in the country. This year, more than 2,000 entries were received from over 1,000 colleges, universities and secondary schools across the world. Silver awards were awarded to 208 institutions. Western is the only Illinois public university to receive an award from Higher Education Marketing for its television series/marketing.

"I would like to congratulate Brad Bainter, and his staff for the work they do to promote Western Illinois University not only to our prospective students and their families, but to alumni, friends and the general public," said President Jack Thomas. "We are fortunate to be able to create these unique campaigns and stellar marketing and recruitment materials in house. Their work is to be commended."

This is the second honor for the marketing and promotional initiatives led by University Marketing and University Relations. In February, the divisions took top honors in the 2015 Collegiate Advertising Awards (CAA) program. University Marketing's 2015-2016 "I am a #SuccessStory, I am A Leatherneck" marketing campaign and University Relations' #WIUGrad15 social media campaign each received "gold" status from the CAA.

"Once again our marketing efforts have been recognized for the work put into promoting Western Illinois University. I'm incredibly proud of the work we do," said Vice President for Advancement and Public Services Brad Bainter, who also directs University Marketing. "While many schools may use external agencies to produce commercials, recruitment materials and marketing campaigns, our work is done in-house by a very talented and capable staff."

Western's marketing and social media campaigns, as well as recruitment materials and initiatives, are the result of coordinated efforts between University Marketing and University Relations, with support from University Television and the Visual Production Center. University Relations works with the Office of Admissions to design and produce the University's recruitment publications each year.

A complete list of winners can be found educationaladvertisingawards.com/winners-list/winners-list-2015.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing