The following nominees (listed in alphabetical order) have exemplified exceptional achievement in higher education brand management and have been recognized by peers and colleagues through their nomination for the 2011 International Brand Master award. We congratulate all of the nominees for this well-deserved recognition, and for being a part of the International Brand Master award competition.
In the three years this award has been running, this year has brought a lot of "firsts." This is the first time a boss nominated a subordinate, first time we have a repeat nominee, and the most international nominees in one year.
Nominees are now collecting information to support their nomination, which will soon be in the judge’s hands.
Carole Beaulieu
Associate Vice President of University Relations, OCAD University in Toronto, Canada
She showed ambition by taking a progressive, risky, yet calculated approach to redesign the OCAD University brand identity while ensuring the design team, Bruce Mau Design, took into consideration the institution’s brand. Situated between the President and the Director of Communications and Marketing, Carole pushed the envelope as only Canada’s leading art and design school could. She recognized that in the edgy, design-centric world of OCAD University, chances have to be taken.
John Carfagno
Assistant Vice President of Integrated Marketing and Communications, John Carroll University in Ohio, United States
John has lead John Carroll University to national prominence with a renewed advertising effort in print, web, and TV. He also led the University through its 125th anniversary. Starting from a very strong logo, the themes and branding were carried out on everything from campus signage, magazine ads, videos, a large Gala, merchandise, shirts for campus employees, and even on cookies. It was masterfully planned and executed, and brought great pride to the campus, alumni, and the community.
Jay Colombatto
Associate Vice President of Communications, California State University, East Bay in California, United States
Jay led the brand transformation of CSUEB from a school viewed as "Last Chance U" to an institution now ranking higher in brand power statewide than all but 4 of 23 CSU campuses. Despite a sluggish economy, Cal State East Bay raised $6.1 million from private donors in the fiscal year 2010-11 to sustain students and programs. CSUEB also received significant donations from corporations like Chevron, and foundations like Bayer USA Foundation, the Hearst Foundation and the Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation.
Corinne Hansen
Director of Marketing and Communications, Black Hills State University in South Dakota, United States
BHSU’s brand, Transforming Lives, has been actively embraced by students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. We know it’s resonating with our audiences because we hear it from them, often. She provides a strong base of support for the brand while encouraging creativity and flexibility. This approach has allowed the brand to evolve in ways we had not even imagined. Using the brand on multiple formats, including new media (website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) as well as traditional media (publications, news releases, alumni magazine) has created a strong, effective brand that is recognized and embraced.
Claudia Jackson
Executive Director of Community and Legislative Relations, Del Mar College in Texas, United States
More than 30 years’ expertise in branding Del Mar College: new advertising, electronic, and print publications, television production/broadcasting, special events, and government relations. Since 85% of DMC enrollment is local, growing brand and enrollment means growing via a local population. Claudia devoted 1000+ hours over 4 years to lead the BoldFuture regional visioning initiative. The resulting Action Plan has 260+ initiatives in education, economy, environment and other areas. One year into the 5-year planning cycle, 70+% of the projects are underway or completed: managing DMC’s 75th Anniversary and leading a team of award-winning brand marketers.
Ron Kennedy
Senior Vice President of Marketing, Liberty University in Virginia, United States
In his first year in charge of the marketing office, he implemented the university’s first external and internal branding initiatives, led the 40th-year initiative, and increased department productivity. When the LUOnline program first began to grow, Kennedy doubled the enrollment in just over 2 years. This shows an ability to market a brand and build trust in the brand. In the first year as Vice President of Marketing, the Promotional Publications Offices launched two major brand campaigns. Both campaigns were landmarks for the university in scope and type. Kennedy used Internet, TV, radio, print, and other marketing mediums to make these campaigns a success.
Emma Leech
Director of Communications and Marketing, University of Nottingham in Nottingham, United Kingdom
Emma has a United Kingdom Higher Education sector leading track-record, demonstrating international impact with tangible ROI linked to rebranding achieved within 18 months. Her work has won multiple awards across all strands. She has delivered fully integrated on and offline campaign work created from scratch spanning the UK, China, and Malaysia. Strategy development, full European Union procurement, restructuring, and instituting an internal change programme to underpin the rebranding work (all delivered within existing budget) are highlights of her achievements. All of accomplishments were done alongside award-winning campaign work development, including total marcomms support for the launch of an impact fundraising campaign.
Elyse Meyer
Marketing Specialist, Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona, United States
Elyse is responsible for all marketing efforts, including a redesign and launch of a new website, all lead generation efforts, social media, email marketing, events, and Thunderbird Online branding. Elyse assisted in the design and developed all content for the new Thunderbird Online website. She continues to manage the design, content, and strategy. She also launched and manages social media pages for Thunderbird Online including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. She developed a landing page strategy to increase conversions of new leads and give prospects the information they are looking for in the most efficient manner, including syllabus downloads for each certificate offering.
Aron Myers
Director of Marketing and Communications, The Florida State University in Florida, United States
The brand of the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) at FSU was disconnected and each department’s brand looked independent of other departments. Aron spearheaded a major rebranding of the DSA, and is a vital asset to The Florida State University. The most outstanding achievement for Aron is the transition of the DSA into a cohesive marketing unit. The DSA now has the ability to be recognized as a team of departments represented through a system of graphics and artwork that give each its own uniqueness, while remaining tied together by a common thread. Aron’s department has also expanded its doors to provide marketing consultation and retreats for the entire DSA. This has strengthened each department in their ability to reach students.
Heather Newton
Manager of Marketing and Recruitment, Athabasca University in Alberta, Canada
Heather is a phenomenal brand master. She is able to convey the intricacies of Athabasca University’s brand across a variety of media. Heather has a history of producing the highest quality materials in support of the University. Most recently, Heather has been responsible for the creation of an award-winning online ad. Not only does Heather spearhead the development of the pieces included above, she guides staff in the maintenance of Athabasca’s institutional Facebook Page.
Mark Sproul
Head of Web & Digital Communications, Edinburgh Napier University in Lothian, Scotland
Mark is responsible for the transformation of the Edinburgh Napier University brand internationally via highly effective social media and search engine marketing in India and Africa, thus increasing brand awareness and engagement. Mark has increased brand awareness and engagement considerably. This demonstrates excellent strategic market understanding of international marketing and the right mix of digital and social media skills to implement effective and engaging campaigns. This involved developing campaign themes based on market needs and aligning the brand. For Facebook, the theme was centered around innovation and for search, it focused on excellence and funding in UK Higher Ed.
Teri Lucie Thompson
Vice President for Marketing and Media, Purdue University in Indiana, United States
Under her direction, Purdue’s profile, including Purdue’s U.S. News & World Report ranking, has risen and boosted its profile in the world and state through targeted marketing of a clear market position. Focused strategic marketing, connected to the institution’s strategic goals, resulted in clearly articulating the "brand position." She built the market research function and ensured stakeholder voice was represented in marketing communications. Purdue now tracks monthly, quarterly, and yearly metrics of volume of media placements; breakdown of placements by editorial tone; volume; duration of visits to key PU webpages; volume of social media interactions/opens/click-through rates of targeted newsletters; and brand and ad awareness.
