University Communications and Marketing team garners 11 creative award honors
By Benny Smith
Western Carolina University’s Communications and Marketing team has received 11 awards from the Hermes Creative Awards. The international competition is one of the oldest and largest creative competitions in the world.
“I am honored to work with an extremely talented group of individuals who are committed to teamwork and excellence,” said Travis Jordan, chief marketing and communications officer for the university. “These awards are a true testament of UCM's hard work, dedication and unmatched skill. We are extremely proud of the work we do and the difference we make in the region and beyond.”
The team, which encompasses 20 staff members responsible for university communications, marketing, photography and video, design, social media, paid media and web, won seven platinum awards for their work over the last year with the creative April Fool’s Day “Boomer” campaign, the Fall 2021 issue of WCU Magazine, its Black History Month essay/illustration feature, “The Black Fantastic,” which highlighted African-American faculty and staff, and its photo essay, “Essential WCU,” which featured faculty and staff who helped guide the university through the pandemic.
The team also won two gold awards for its Essential WCU blog post and its undergraduate admissions’ counselor travel piece, “This is where the story begins.” The team also garnered two honorable mention awards for its Mountain Heritage Day logo design and the design of its admissions acceptance packet.
Each year, the Hermes Creative Awards’ competition judges evaluate the creative industry’s best publications, branding collateral, websites, videos, advertising, marketing and communication programs. Winners ranged in size from individuals to media conglomerates, universities and Fortune 500 Companies.
