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Storify Collage - #WIUGrad15 Campaign
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#WIUGrad15 Campaign sign outside Western Hall
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I am a #SuccessStory, I am a Leatherneck Woodfield Mall kiosk display
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I am a #SuccessStory, I am a Leatherneck ad - State Journal Register
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I am a #SuccessStory, I am a Leatherneck Northbrook Mall banner display
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University Marketing, University Relations Wins Gold Awards for Advertising/Marketing, Social Media Campaigns

February 1, 2016

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MACOMB, IL — Marketing and social media initiatives created by University Marketing and University Relations at Western Illinois University recently 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.

According to the CAA, the awards program recognizes higher education organizations for excellence in communications, marketing, advertising and promotions of their schools. The 2015 CAA program had more than 900 entries from across the United States. The Gold Award, which is awarded to the top five percent in the nation, is based upon a score of 95-99 (top five percent in the nation).

All of Western's marketing and social media campaigns, as well as recruitment materials, are produced in house. Teresa Little, administrative clerk in Advancement and Public Services, who also serves as the assistant for University Marketing, negotiates ad space and commercial air time, and handles placement efforts and vendor relations. Little also came up with the '15-16 marketing "success" theme.

Western's total advertising campaign entry featured "I am a #SuccessStory, I am A Leatherneck" commercials, mall displays and newspaper advertisements to demonstrate the variety of methods used to market the University during its current campaign. The commercials, featuring WIU students and an alumna and voiceovers by WIU Theatre Associate Professor Jason Conner and airing throughout Illinois, were scripted by Director of University Relations Darcie Shinberger and produced by University Television Producers Roger Kent, Ryan Severs and Todd Draeger. The ads and displays were designed by Jessica Lambert of University Relations.

Western's social media marketing entry featured the #WIUGrad15 campaign (https://storify.com/WIU/your-wiu-spring-15-commencement-weekend), which was designed and produced by University Relations Assistant Director Teresa Koltzenburg. For this campaign, WIU students graduating in Spring 2015 were asked to share photos of their commencement experiences and to use the hashtag #WIUGrad15. UR also used portable "yard" signs outside of the commencement venue to encourage students to post content. The Storify page yielded more than 1,400 views and the photos yielded user-generated content the University has used for other purposes. This type of campaign helped University Relations gather user-generated "testimonial" content, which could be used on WIU's various social media sites.

"We are a small staff doing big things. I'm proud of our marketing and public relations staff, as well as our University Television crew, for their work on not only these initiatives, but all projects for the promotion of WIU," noted Vice President for Advancement and Public Services Brad Bainter, who also heads up University Marketing. "This is the first time that Western has achieved gold status from the CAA, and the efforts put forth by our staff are most deserving of these awards."

A complete list of winners can be found at collegiateadawards.com.

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