Marketing and University Communication enjoys recognition last fiscal year
To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln: Do work worthy of recognition, but don’t worry about being recognized. Of course, there’s also nothing wrong with enjoying the spotlight now and then, especially when someone else shines it your way.
A case in point is UW-Green Bay’s Grand Marshal’s Award for ‘most original, non-profit’ float at the annual holiday parade at the end of 2021. The sixth such award since 2012, it’s a tribute to the efforts of university faculty and staff volunteers—many of them from the Office of Marketing and Communication. So much so, that the plaques have found a home on an award “shelf” in their office tucked away on the eighth floor of the Cofrin Library.
But now those plaques will have to move over and make room for new trophies. The reason? In 2021-2022 fiscal year, Marketing and Communication garnered an unprecedented number of awards and recognition embracing an ambitious range of projects. Including:
• Content and digital creation awards from the Madison and Northeast Wisconsin chapters of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
• Individual recognition of Jena Richter Landers, digital communication specialist, recognized as “Young Professional of the Year” by the Madison and Northeast Wisconsin chapters of the PRSA.
• The University’s “Rise” campaign (encompassing a web page, video, feature series, print material and outdoor displays) awarded a silver American Advertising Award from the American Advertising Federation Fox River in the category of “Cross-Platform Integrated Campaign.”
• A gold Telly Award for the “Never Stop Learning” commercial.
The Telly Awards, founded in 1979, honor excellence in local and regional commercials across all platforms—receiving over 12,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents.
Awards aside, doing work worthy of recognition is a good thing. In the world of marketing and promotion, earning awards is also important for another reason—credibility. Janet Bonkowski, Executive Director for marketing and communication, also believes being recognized by fellow professionals is a great motivator. “When we get an award that helps us dig even deeper as we create the next campaign or take on the next marketing challenge.” Plus, Bonkowski adds, special peer recognition nourishes the team’s creative vibe. And it just feels good to work in an office that produces an award-winning effort. “It’s that Sally Field at the Oscars moment of ‘they like us; they really, really like us!’”
