UA News

UA students and several of the University's collaborators were honored this month for various marketing videos and advertisements.

Videos and advertisements produced by and for The University of Arizona have picked up gold and silver medals at this year's Addy Awards.

More than 400 entries were received by the Tucson Advertising Federation, which sponsors the 28th Annual ADDY Awards ceremony, which was held Feb. 21 in Tucson.

The local organization is part of the American Advertising Federation, a national trade association for those in the advertising field. The ADDY awards are considered among the most competitive in the advertising industry and are given on the basis of "creative excellence."

The UA's marketing department, which is part of UA's external relations division, earned several awards: a gold for "It Really is Rocket Science," an advertisement for the UA's football program; a silver for "Against the Odds," a basketball program advertisement; and another silver for the "Thanks to the U" advertising campaign.

Kate Jensen, UA's assistant vice president for marketing, said these honors speak not only to the University's presentation, but also to its creativity and ability to advance from traditional modes of communication.

"Many times, universities don't compete well in these kinds of competitions because you are against all of the advertisement agencies that have more resources and people," Jensen said.

"I look at these awards not only as a tribute to the work we're doing, but also to the University, which is allowing us to do work that is relevant, interesting and creative," said Jensen, who also noted that the UA marketing department has been in existence for only about four years.

"Before that, there really wasn't an institutional marketing group. So our job is to help elevate the institutional brand and also its colleges, departments and programs," she said. "We need to continue to remind people why having a university like this one and in this state is so beneficial."

The other award winners include:

"Five!" by Boelts Design for the UA School of Dance. The advertisement took the gold ADDY award for "best of show" in print. Jackson Boelts, a UA art professor, is president of Boelts Design. He earned several ADDY awards, including a gold ADDY for self-promotion stationery set.

"A Place to Shine in the Tucson Sun," a television advertisement that highlights the UA and Tucson and is aired during the Pacific-10 Conference games. The piece, which was produced locally by Litteer Films, earned a gold ADDY.

A brochure for the UA's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory was created by the Tucson-based company Many Hats Advertising Ltd. and earned a gold ADDY Award. The company's brochure for the laboratory's Tranquility Trek also earned a silver ADDY.

"Arizona Days-Arizona Nights," the UA student recruitment video produced by Litteer Films under the supervision of Scott Cason, director of marketing for the UA Office of Enrollment Management, won a silver ADDY. The video's teaser also earned a silver ADDY.

"Bird Nest Illustration" by UA master's of fine arts student Jessica Gerlach, earned a student gold ADDY.

The Eco-Operatives logo produced by Stefan Walz, a UA studio arts major, earned a student silver ADDY.

A stationery set designed by Edgar Mendoza, a UA graphic designer, earned a student bronze ADDY.

A brochure that Boelts Design created for the UA College of Fine Arts earned a bronze ADDY.

Also, the 60 second radio piece for Cantus Radio that the Nordensson Group produced with UApresents took a bronze ADDY. The segment previewed a show at Centennial Hall.

Mario Di Vetta, the publicity and marketing associate for UApresents, said the University's nonprofit arts organization has worked with Nordensson Group on numerous occasions in the past and has received several ADDYs.

"The quality of their work has always been exceptional," Di Vetta said. "They are easy to work with and have quick turn around times. They are always willing to give helpful advice to make the product better."

Being able to continually earn ADDY awards is a testament of that, he added.

"It showcases the work of UApresents," he said. "Just like our seasons, we present the world's finest in terms of artists and we also present the finest in terms of our look and feel."