Rock Island Today

Marketing and recruiting campaigns led by Western Illinois University (WIU) recently earned two awards at the Higher Education Marketing Report's 31st Annual Educational Advertising Awards.

University Marketing's "I am a #SuccessStory, I am A Leatherneck" commercial campaign won a silver medal, and the school's recruitment package of viewbook, search piece, folder and prospective student mailers won a merit award. The "I am a #SuccessStory, I am A Leatherneck" also won a gold award from the Collegiate Advertising Awards in February.

School officials credited the success to the home-grown nature of each of the efforts.

"Once again, our marketing efforts have been recognized for the work put into promoting Western Illinois University," Brad Bainter, vice president for advancement and public services, said. "I'm incredibly proud of the work we do. While many schools may use external agencies to produce commercials, recruitment materials and marketing campaigns, our work is done in-house by a very talented and capable staff."

WIU's packages were selected from more than 2,000 entries, submitted from approximately 1,000 schools. Of the winning entries, WIU was the only public university to receive honors for its TV marketing.