UH Communications Teams Win National and Regional Awards
“And the award goes to … the University of Houston!”
That's a familiar phrase for members of UH’s marketing and communications teams. In recent weeks, the Division of University Marketing and Communications, Division of Research, Division of Student Affairs and Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design teams were recognized in national and regional competitions for their efforts to elevate the reputation and national profile of the University.
The Public Relations Society of America’s Houston chapter and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education honored University communicators for their creativity and innovation in promoting the University.
"These well-deserved recognitions reflect the immense talent and hard work of our UH communications teams across campus. They continue to elevate and enhance our brand, deliver impactful stories and produce compelling publications, setting new standards of excellence,” said Lisa Holdeman, vice president for marketing and communications.
The CASE Circle of Excellence Awards
The CASE Circle of Excellence Awards showcase the positive influence advancement professionals have on their institutions and communities. Out of 4,021 international entries, only 521 honorees were selected for the coveted Circle of Excellence. Among this year’s award recipients are University of Marketing and Communications, Division of Research, and Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design.
DIMENSION magazine, produced by the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design, was one of only three magazines in its entry category to earn a CASE Circle of Excellence Gold award.
DIMENSION magazine, produced by the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design, was one of only three magazines in its entry category to earn a CASE Circle of Excellence Gold award.
Magazines: Alumni/General Interest: DIMENSION, Fall 2022
Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design
With a focus on showcasing the impact of the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design in a design-driven world, the publication, DIMENSION, explores the multifaceted dimensions of design. Its content is thoughtfully organized around the achievements and progress of students, faculty and alumni, highlighting the accomplishments and advancements made during the fall 2022 semester.
The CASE judges awarded DIMENSION a gold medal and praised its stunning design. "The covers and every page in between are consistently creative, representing the brand that the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design at the University of Houston undoubtedly wants to reinforce.”
Houston: 2022 Journey to the Top, produced by University Marketing and Communications, won both a CASE Circle of Excellence Award and a PRSA Houston Excalibur Award.
Houston: 2022 Journey to the Top, produced by University Marketing and Communications, won both a CASE Circle of Excellence Award and a PRSA Houston Excalibur Award.
Special Publications: Houston: 2022 Journey to the Top
University Marketing and Communications
Houston: 2022 Journey to the Top is a 52-page special publication profiling UH’s journey to become a Top 50 public university: what that entails and the transformative efforts UH is taking to get there. Using real stories, people and data, the book consists of eight long-form stories aligned with UH’s strategic priorities. The publication was a crucial asset in galvanizing support for UH’s vision, and it set the foundation for UH’s request for a $1 billion endowment from the Texas Legislature during the 2023 Texas Legislative Session.
"The writing is strong, and we liked the upbeat message from the President. There was a clear call to action and understanding of the impact at various places across their institution," noted the judges.
The bold design of the Division of Research’s annual report, Research and Innovation 2021, earned a CASE Circle of Excellence Award.
The bold design of the Division of Research’s annual report, Research and Innovation 2021, earned a CASE Circle of Excellence Award.
Annual Report: Research and Innovation 2021
Division of Research
Published in 2022, the Division of Research’s annual report, Research and Innovation 2021, tells a compelling story of significant and unique university initiatives launched in 2021. The statistics and metrics are creatively captured and present in using data visualization techniques. This earned the division a well-deserved silver award.
The judges said the annual report was “engaging and relevant to the audience—very authentic. Good effort in making the report distinctive with the mix of design and content.”
PRSA Houston Excalibur Awards
UH’s marketing and communications efforts were also well-represented during the recent PRSA Houston Excalibur Awards Gala with seven awards presented to the University. Each year, this esteemed organization honors outstanding contributions to the public relations profession, and UH consistently is recognized as a leader in the field.
Special Award: Nonprofit Communications Team of the Year
University Marketing and Communications
The team was honored with the esteemed title of Nonprofit Team of the Year. This accolade recognizes their dedication and commitment to effectively promoting the University’s mission, engaging stakeholders and fostering a positive public image. The team includes University Marketing, Media Relations, Social Media, Academic Communications, Executive and Internal Communications, Brand Management Licensing and Trademarks, and Digital Strategy with administrative support from Business Services.
Reputation and Brand Management: UH Brand Refresh
University Marketing and Communications
The UH brand refresh and new brand center earned a PRSA bronze award. UH launched its brand refresh in August 2022. Along with a refreshed visual identity and brand pillars, UH’s brand center now serves as a centralized hub that houses all the essential elements, guidelines and assets related to UH’s brand identity. It is a comprehensive repository that ensures consistency and alignment in how the brand is represented across various channels, both internally and externally.
Most Effective Campaign on a Shoestring Budget: March Madness Social Media
University Marketing and Communications
In a category of Most Effective Campaign on a Shoestring Budget, UH Social Media and Marketing teams executed exceptional work during the 2023 March Madness campaign, earning a silver award. The team devised an effective campaign that leveraged the success of the UH Men’s Basketball team during the NCAA Tournament to deliver content focused on UH’s stellar academic programs. The campaign used all organic content, meaning no posts were paid to be promoted.
Annual Report: 2021-2022 Annual Report
Division of Student Affairs
The 2021-2022 Annual Report (both online and print editions) was awarded silver. The publication highlights the Division of Student Affairs accomplishments, celebrates their advancement in bringing greater value to the “Cougar Experience,” and shines a light on the talented and caring staff who consistently bring great passion to their workday.
Blog: Flushing Out Absolutism in Science
Division of Research
Flushing Out Absolutism in Science is an article published in The Big Idea, the Division of Research's blog focused on the business of research. The article questions whether views on science are becoming more extreme in the face of an ever-expanding body of knowledge and especially amidst the flurry of findings that emerged over the course of the pandemic. The Division of Research received a bronze award in the Best Blog category for this thought-provoking piece.
Feature Stories: 4-Peat! UH Entrepreneurship Ranks No. 1 in Nation
University Marketing and Communications & C. T. Bauer College of Business
The feature on Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship claimed the silver award. The narrative captured the excitement of winning the nation’s No. 1 ranking for the fourth year in row, while it also highlighted the essence of the center's reach and showcased its success in fostering entrepreneurial talent within the University.
News Release: Fentanyl Vaccine Potential ‘Game Changer’ for Opioid Epidemic
University Marketing and Communications
The team's skillful composition and strategic dissemination of the Fentanyl vaccine news release earned them a silver award. The press release announcing the discovery resulted in international media coverage with a potential reach of more than 10.3 billion readers. It even prompted the Texas governor to hold a press conference on campus underscoring Texas’ role in the fight against fentanyl.
Special Publication: Houston: 2022 Journey to the Top
University Marketing and Communications
The publication is a full-color, coffee table book featuring captivating, large-scale photography and key facets of the strategic plan, written in an inspirational voice and tone. The goals of the publication included educating the audience on the University's Top 50 vision and laying the foundation for UH’s request for a $1 billion endowment from the Texas Legislature during the 2023 Texas legislative session.
Story by Natasha Saad | Published July 10, 2023
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