VSU Recognized Nationally for Excellence in Advertising, Marketing, Promotion

The nine-member University Marketing and Communications team at Valdosta State University earned gold, silver, and bronze honors during the 2024 Collegiate Advertising Awards.

VALDOSTA — The nine-member University Marketing and Communications team at Valdosta State University earned gold, silver, and bronze honors during the 2024 Collegiate Advertising Awards.

“These awards are a well-earned testament to the incredible talent, hard work, and resourcefulness of every member of VSU’s University Marketing and Communications team,” says Melinda Harbaugh, the university’s chief officer.

“This is a small team that was organized at the end of 2022 and charged by President Carvajal with marketing and branding the university. In a little over a year, we launched new branding and a national campaign. There’s still a lot of work to be done, and there’s room for growth, but I cannot wait to see what this team accomplishes in the coming year!”

VSU garnered recognition in the following categories:

• Gold Award, Internet Advertising Series — All Real All You Campaign

• Gold Award, Billboard Design — New York City Times Square Digital Billboard

• Gold Award, Direct Mail Series — Admissions Search Piece, Junior Postcard, and Fulfillment Postcard

• Silver Award, Special Video Production Series — Basketball Hype Video, Spring 2023 Commencement, Blazer Football Hype

• Bronze Award, Poster/Display — Odum Library Mural

The Collegiate Advertising Awards is a national program designed to honor excellence in marketing and advertising specific to the field of higher education. This year’s entries were judged on creativity, layout and design, typography, production, quality, and overall effectiveness. 

VSU’s University Marketing and Communications team is comprised of Robbyn DeSpain, Melinda Harbaugh, Paul Leavy, Graham Nguyen, Dan Oppel, Jessica Pope, Steven Sauls, Rosemary Sirmans, and Angie Strealy. VSU students working with the team during the 2023-2024 academic year are Sarah Castoro, Madison Connolly, Kervins Francois, Thomas Frost, and Luisa Garrett.  

Visit https://www.valdosta.edu/umc/awards.php to see all the award-winning content.