JACKSON, Tenn. — MTSU’s “Take a Closer Look” messaging, a multimedia effort to underscore the many pride points of the university, was recognized by the Tennessee College Public Relations Association as the best overall promotion campaign among the state’s public and private higher education institutions.

The Gold Award for the campaign was among the 17 awards that MTSU received in the association’s annual competition recognizing excellence in marketing and communications in higher education entities.

The association, at its conference in Jackson on May 25, presented MTSU with four Gold, seven Silver and six Bronze awards in 14 different categories, making MTSU again the most honored institution in the competition.

This is one of the billboard displays created for the award-winning “Take a Closer Look” academic marketing campaign developed by the MTSU Division of Marketing and Communications. (Courtesy of Academic Marketing/Creative and Visual Services)

Andrew Oppmann

Launched in support of the university’s admissions efforts, “Take a Closer Look” was designed to reintroduce MTSU pride points to prospective students in Rutherford, Davidson and Williamson counties as well as throughout Tennessee. It featured various “Did You Know?” messages about MTSU paired with strong visuals of the campus.

“Our division exists to tell the stories of our university, so it’s gratifying to have such wonderful opportunities to promote these efforts by our faculty, administration and staff,” said Andrew Oppmann, vice president for marketing and communications. “I’m grateful the TCPRA judges recognized the great work of a lot of talented very people.”

MTSU’s four Gold Awards tied Lipscomb University for most top honors given to an institution in this year’s competition.

Also landing a Gold Award was MTSU’s marketing and promotional efforts, in partnership with the College of Media and Entertainment, at the 60^thanniversary of the Grammys in New York.

The university teamed up with the Nashville-based Americana Music Association and the Grammy-run MusiCares Foundation to bolster their events and generate media interest and coverage before, during and after. MTSU participated in the MusiCares Person of the Year award presentation, with students from the College of Media and Entertainment working behind the scenes at Radio City Music Hall.

Middle Tennessee State University students from its College of Media and Entertainment are in New York City for behind-the-scenes experience in support of events related to the 60th annual Grammy Awards celebration. Pictured Friday, Jan. 26, at Radio City Music Hall, from left, are Foster Riggs, senior; President Sidney A. McPhee; Michael Ryan May, senior; LB Rogers, senior; professor Matt Foglia; and Siara Strickland, senior. (MTSU photo by Andrew Oppmann)

Also noteworthy was the rebranding campaign for the College of Liberal Arts receiving the Bronze Award for Overall Promotional Campaign, meaning MTSU secured two of the three honors awarded in this category.

Here is a complete list of MTSU’s 17 awards in the Tennessee College Public Relations Association’s contest:

GOLD:

• Overall Promotional Campaign, “Take a Closer Look”
• Newsletter/Printed, MTSU President’s Newsletter
• Print Advertisement/Single, Camellia Bowl full-page ad, “Thank You Montgomery,” which published in the Montgomery Advertiser to thank the city for its hospitality in MTSU’s bowl win — and invited Alabama students to attend MTSU
• Special Event, More than Seven Days, MTSU at the Grammys (College of Media and Entertainment)

SILVER:

• Brochure/Flier, MTSU Dance Program Brochure
• Crisis Communications Planning, on MTSU’s efforts to keep the campus informed on potential impact of a proposed white nationalist rally
• Print Advertisement/Series, for MTSU’s regular front-page banner advertisement on campus events that appear in area newspapers
• Promotional Video, “Raider Traitor,” produced in conjunction with MT Athletics to promote student team spirit
• Radio/TV Show or Newscast, MTSU Out of the Blue, a monthly public-affairs television program produced by the Division of Marketing and Communications and the Center for Educational Media in the College of Education
• Special Publication, MTSU Research Magazine
• Video Advertisement/PSA, “Don’t Underestimate Me,” the university’s institutional TV commercial

BRONZE:

• Banners/Outdoor Media, “See the Future You’ll Create,” a billboard for the Department of Media Arts
• Brochure/Flier, MTSU College of Liberal Arts Brochure
• Overall Promotional Campaign, College of Liberal Arts Branding Campaign
• Poster, NPR Music Critic Ann Powers lecture at the Center for Popular Music
• Special Event, More than Seven Days, True Blue Give, the university’s first online giving campaign, by the Division of University Advancement
• Specialty Item, College of Basic and Applied Sciences Challenge Coin