The West Virginia University Foundation’s communications team captured four awards in the 2021 international MarCom Awards, which recognizes outstanding creative achievement in the marketing and communications fields.
The winners were chosen from more than 6,000 entries from corporate and educational marketing and communication departments, advertising agencies, public relations firms, design shops, production companies and freelancers throughout the United States, Canada and several other countries. The Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals bestows the awards annually.
“To be recognized by your peers in the communications and marketing industry is certainly gratifying,” said Bill Nevin, WVU Foundation associate vice president for communications. “I am proud of our team for producing excellent work, and recognition from the MarCom Awards validates that what we are doing is top-notch.”
Along with Nevin, other members of the team include Felicha Dugan, Garrett Cullen and Cassie Rice.
In the category of feature writing, the Foundation’s story on WVU black alumni renewing their efforts to carry on the legacy of the late Horace and Geraldine Belmear through an endowed scholarship received a Platinum award. MarCom’s Platinum award is presented to those entries judged to be among the most outstanding entries in the competition. Platinum winners are recognized for their excellence in terms of quality, creativity and resourcefulness. Only 17% of the entries won this award.
The Foundation’s 2020 Digital Donor Impact Report received a Gold award, given to those entries judged to exceed the high standards of the industry norm. Only about 24% of the MarCom entries received this honor.
Two entries received an Honorable Mention. They included the Pride Practice Facility fundraising video and a general scholarship impact video. Only about 10% of the entries received Honorable Mention recognition.
MarCom is one of the oldest, largest and most prestigious creative competitions in the world. Judges are industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry.
Founded in 1954, the WVU Foundation is the nonprofit fundraising arm of the University. Its mission is to enrich the lives of those touched by WVU by maximizing private charitable support and providing services to the University, its students and affiliated organizations. Last year, donors contributed a record $270 million to the Foundation in support of WVU.