University of Maryland University College Office of Institutional Advancement received four 2017 Hermes Creative Awards administered and judged by the Association of Marketing Communication Professionals—earning top honors among major international brands and Fortune 500 companies.  

The UMUC group won a Platinum Award—the Hermes program’s highest honor—for the social media campaign “#ILoveMyUMUC,” designed to connect, engage and advocate for the more than 200,000 UMUC alumni community members and elevate the alumni brand. The platinum designation recognizes excellence in quality, creativity, and resourcefulness and is presented to those entries judged to be among the most outstanding in the competition.

“Having our programs receive top honors among other universities and Fortune 500 organizations is impressive and speaks to the quality and commitment UMUC provides to the alumni community,” said Nikki Sandoval, UMUC associate vice president of Career Services and Alumni Relations.

She added that strengthening the alumni community through professional networks “is core” to UMUC’s mission. “This award winning social media program not only provides career resources and alumni news, it provides a sense of community and pride of being a UMUC graduate,” Sandoval said.

The university also received three Gold Awards—second place honors presented to entries judged to exceed the high standards of the industry norm—for a trio of additional outreach and social marketing campaigns that Sandoval said exceeded projected goals in the numbers of alumni connecting with each other and engaging with UMUC.

Gold-Winning Entries

The 26th Alumni Reception and Awards celebration themed “Make Your Mark,” won in the Special Event category. Participants were invited to commemorate the ways in which they make their marks on the world every day through their personal and professional achievements.

“Make Your Mark” signified the first time that the annual gala was offered as an emerging technology virtual and in-person event, making it possible for alumni around the world to network and take part.  The Alumni Association welcomed 485 alumni and friends to the 2016 alumni awards reception—a record breaking milestone for this yearly affair.

The Alumni Association Website: Before and After earned Gold in the Educational Institution category for the 2016 site redesign’s positive impact on alumni engagement.

And, My Volunteer Program (MVP) won Gold in the Integrated Marketing Campaign category. Within three months of its launch through MVP branding, marketing and communications efforts, the campaign successfully attracted more than 350 alumni volunteers—and achieved a social media reach of 38,776, greater than half of its projected goal.

The 2017 honors build on Institutional Advancement’s earlier Hermes Awards success.  The group garnered two first-place trophies, one second-place trophy and three honorable mentions in the 2015 Hermes Creative Awards competition.

About the Awards

The Hermes Creative Awards is an international competition for individuals involved in the concept, writing, and design of traditional materials and programs, and emerging technologies. One of the largest award competitions of its kind, entries come from corporate marketing and communication departments, advertising agencies, PR firms, graphic design shops, production companies, web and digital creators, and freelancers.

Learn more about the 2017 Hermes Creative Awards and see the complete list of winners, along with selected samples of winning entries, at www.hermesawards.com.