[459] MTSU Wins 21 Awards for Excellence in Marketing

For release:  May 25, 2012

News and Media Relations contacts: Jimmy Hart, 615-898-2919 or Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu     

or Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu

MTSU Marketing and Communications contact: Andrew Oppmann, 615-494-7800 or Andrew.Oppmann@mtsu.edu

MTSU wins 21 awards for excellence in marketing

University receives the most honors in recent

Tennessee College Public Relations Association competition

MURFREESBORO — Middle Tennessee State University’s marketing and communications efforts received 21 awards for excellence from the Tennessee College Public Relations Association, the most of any public or private higher- education institution in the state.

The awards were presented at a ceremony held at the association’s annual conference, hosted on the MTSU campus earlier this month. It was the second consecutive year MTSU garnered the most honors in the TCPRA awards. Other top winners included the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with 16 awards and Belmont University with six.

“There are so many compelling stories at our University and we are pleased our peers in higher education have recognized our success in sharing them with our audiences,” said Andrew Oppmann, MTSU’s associate vice president for marketing and communications.

Many of the University’s most recent multimedia communications efforts were recognized by the TCPRA, including:

• “MTSU Research,” a special edition of MTSU Magazine, received the Gold Award for best specialty publication; the Honors College magazine got the Silver Award for Best Newsletter; and MTSU Magazine received Bronze recognition for Best Feature or News Writing;

• “Out of the Blue,” MTSU’s monthly television newsmagazine program, and “On the Record,” the University’s weekly radio program, received Gold and Silver awards, respectively, in the category of Best Radio/TV Show.

• “Middle in a Minute,” the 60-second vignette about the University featured on MTSU’s athletics broadcasts and on FM 89.5 WMOT, received a Gold Award for Best Radio Advertisement or PSA;

• The University’s video advertising took both the Gold and Bronze honors; its print advertising received Silver and Bronze recognition; and its social media outreach was honored with a Silver Award;

• The national media coverage of MTSU Professor Cliff Ricketts’ cross-country trip on less than 10 gallons of gas was recognized with a Gold Award as the Best Media Success Story among Tennessee universities; and

• MTSU received Gold and Silver awards for Best Photography, as well as a Gold Award for top poster design.

The TCPRA honored Doug Williams, MTSU’s executive director of marketing and branding, with its Charles Holmes Award, which recognizes career achievement and distinguished service to the association. Williams, chairman of this year’s conference, became the only two-time recipient of this honor.

• Tara Wann, secretary in the Marketing and Communications office, was awarded the annual TCPRA scholarship given to a student at the institution hosting the conference. Wann is enrolled in the University College’s Adult Degree Competition Program.

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Note: High-resolution jpeg photos are attached.

Photo captions:

• Main art: The cross-country trip by MTSU Professor Cliff Ricketts (right, with Dr. Warren Gill, chair of the School of Agribusiness and Agriscience) was recognized as the top Media Success Story by the Tennessee College Public Relations Association. Ricketts returned to campus March 12 from a 2,582-mile coast-to-coast trip across America in alternative fuel vehicles. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

• Secondary art: The cover of MTSU Research Magazine, which was recognized as Best Specialty Publication by the Tennessee College Press Association.

• Mug shot: Doug Williams, MTSU executive director of marketing and branding.

• Mug shot: Tara Wann, MTSU marketing and communications secretary.

            The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU begins its second century of service, Pride, Tradition and Excellence remain the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"! For MTSU news and information anytime, visit www.mtsunews.com.

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For MTSU news and information anytime, visit www.mtsunews.com.