Congratulations to all of the 2010 Gold Tower Award winners.
Rebecca Keane – Communications Officer, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
Juan McGruder – Interim Development Officer, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
Carol Silvers – Administrative Assistant, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
Elizabeth Campell – Client Manager, Georgia Tech Communications & Marketing
Georgia Tech Communications & Marketing Creative Services
Using classic metallic gold and navy blue, the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts Founder’s Day program auspiciously motivates invitees to attend the annual event. Beautiful calligraphy and heavy textured cardstock communicate the event’s prestigious nature to the target audience, which includes donors and potential donors. The refined serif typography is well applied throughout the program.
Judges felt the program contributed to the event’s excellent attendance and would be kept as a special keepsake by each of the attendees. Overall the program is a beautiful example of a piece designed for a formal audience.
Matt McLendon – Director of Communications, Georgia Tech Office of Undergraduate Admission
Georgia Tech Communications & Marketing Creative Services
The Georgia Tech Office of Undergraduate Admission developed a series of postcards to give prospective women a better sense of Georgia Tech and the many opportunities that Tech offers them. The postcards demonstrate design excellence with high-quality photography and inspiring messaging that connects with the target audience. Judges appreciated the excellent use of Georgia Tech branding combined with unique touches, such as the handwritten font.
The postcards, part of a comprehensive campaign targeting out-of-state females, contributed to the largest female freshman class to date for Georgia Tech, raising the overall percentage of female freshman students from 33 percent to 35 percent. The number of out-of-state female freshman students rose from 25 percent to 28 percent.
Stephanie Lee – Marketing Director, Ferst Center for the Arts at Georgia Tech
John Marcum – Graphic Designer, John Marcum Design Inc.
The 2010-2011 Ferst Center for the Arts Student Program Flyer successfully incorporates a wealth of information into one attractive, two-sided flyer. The flyer’s clean and consistent use of typography contributes to its readability and a student can easily scan headlines for information and events of interest to them. Judges appreciated the flyer’s consistent use of Ferst Center for the Arts brand elements and high-quality photography.
Rachael Pocklington – Communications Officer, Georgia Tech Parents Program
LeAnn Black – Graphic Designer, Georgia Tech Communications & Marketing
Mark DeLong – Writer/Editor, Georgia Tech Communications & Marketing
Rob Felt – Photographer, Georgia Tech Communications & Marketing
The Student Affairs Handbook is designed to be a compelling, easy to use, and relevant guide for students to navigate the nineteen programs under Georgia Tech Student Affairs. The handbook often serves as the only printed marketing piece for many of the individual programs and the all-inclusive format helps students manage the volume of information they receive during FASET orientation.
The excellent use of Georgia Tech brand elements, such as the bold gold headlines, open white space, and navy accents, sets this handbook apart. Judges appreciated the large, high-quality photographs, which communicate a wealth of information without the need for words. Students can flip through the handbook, with its excellent use of photography, and get a good sense of what Georgia Tech has to offer them.
Rachael Pocklington – Communications Officer, Georgia Tech Parents Program
Kim Sterrit – Director, Georgia Tech Parents Program
LeAnn Black – Graphic Designer, Georgia Tech Communications & Marketing
The judges remarked that this entry was one of the most dynamically designed and by far the most fun. More than just a calendar, it is jam-packed with useful information for potential students and their families. Important Georgia Tech dates and key campus resources are presented alongside spirit-filled photos of student life and activities.
Use of large seasonal photos provides needed focal points for the information-packed pages, but thoughtful use of text and color balance each monthly spread so that the reader isn't overwhelmed. Playful "taped" photos and other fun graphic elements are sprinkled throughout. In addition, highlight tints are used to designate categories of dated entries.
Brad Dixon – Assistant Director of Communications, College of Management
Hope Wilson – Director, College Relations and Communications, College of Management
Kim Link-Wills – Editor and Director of Alumni Publications, Georgia Tech Alumni Association
Abby Robinson – Communications Officer, Georgia Tech Research News and Publications
Laurie Butler – Executive Relations and Marketing Manager, College of Management
Rob Felt – Photographer, Georgia Tech Communications & Marketing
The College of Management's Dean's Report is an annual publication sent to all College of Management alumni to position the College, connect alumni with the College, and highlight the past year's activities, programs, faculty, students, and staff. Despite reducing the number of pages in the report from forty-eight to thirty-six, the Dean's Report demonstrates excellence in design by allowing plenty of open white space, a muted color palette, and readable font sizes that contribute to a pleasurable reading experience. Articles are concise and well written while fulfilling the report's strategic objectives.
Kim Link-Wills – Editor and Director of Alumni Publications, Georgia Tech Alumni Association
Van Jenson – Assistant Editor, Georgia Tech Alumni Association
Leslie Overman – Assistant Editor, Georgia Tech Alumni Association
The Alumni Magazine, redesigned in September 2009, serves a unique target audience that crosses generational and gender lines. Its objectives include informing, entertaining, and engaging alumni and friends of Georgia Tech. The magazine's new bi-monthly format and fresh design accomplish just that. Striking cover images each month impel readers to pick up the magazine, and clever illustrations provide visual interest throughout. The magazine displays good use of Georgia Tech's brand colors, with white, gold, and navy accents where appropriate. Judges were particularly impressed with the variety and overall appeal of the magazine's content. Since the September 2009 redesign, the Alumni Association is pleased to report an increased number of letters to the editor and overwhelmingly positive feedback on the new format, content, and design.
Dan Goldberger – Director of Technology and New Media, Georgia Tech Athletics Association
Cheryl Watts – Assistant Director of Game Operations, Georgia Tech Athletics Association
The Buzz provides Georgia Tech alumni, fans, and supporters with in-depth information on Yellow Jacket athletics on a quarterly basis and creates a personal connection between the readers and Georgia Tech athletes and coaches. Each section of The Buzz is clearly defined with a "tag" featuring the name of the sport in athletic typography and our beloved mascot, Buzz. Readers can easily flip through The Buzz to find a particular sport and/or topic of interest. The magazine is certainly appealing with full-page action shots and consistently applied typography. Judges thought the layout and content of the magazine did an excellent job of engaging its target audience.
Rebecca Keane – Communications Officer, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
Elizabeth Campell – Client Manager, Georgia Tech Communications & Marketing
The Ivan Allen College electronic newsletter features quality content on key initiatives in the College, faculty and student research accomplishments, staff news, research grants, noteworthy press, and events, all in a clean, easy-to-navigate format. Brand elements, such as color, the Georgia Tech logo, and typography, are applied well in the newsletter's design. The overall layout of the newsletter is consistent from month to month and the full-width header keeps this design from looking out of place when viewed in a browser, unlike the typical vertical-box layout. Readers can quickly browse through the headings at a glance; to explore a particular story, they can follow a link for more information online. Judges also liked the online archive of past newsletters.
Patrice Miles – Director, Marketing and Sales, Distance Learning and Professional Education
Pat Kelsy – Project Director II, Distance Learning and Professional Education
Angela Ayers – Assistant Director, Client Product, Distance Learning and Professional Education
Caroline Lanier – Web Developer, Distance Learning and Professional Education
Tim Whelan – Web Developer, Distance Learning and Professional Education
Shamika Hill – Senior Artist, Distance Learning and Professional Education
Rachel Haber – Assistant Director, Client Marketing, Distance Learning and Professional Education
Katie Takacs – Assistant Director, Client Marketing, Distance Learning and Professional Education
Jennifer Wooley – Assistant Director, Client Marketing, Distance Learning and Professional Education
Rebecca Egsieker – Marketing Specialist - Distance Learning and Professional Education
Bibek Mohanty – Market Research Analyst – Distance Learning and Professional Education
Greg Stenzoski – Information Analyst, Distance Learning and Professional Education
Candy Carson – Distance Learning and Professional Education
Jo McIver – Distance Learning and Professional Education
Jeff Fisher – Director, Information Systems, Distance Learning and Professional Education
Jeremy Bowden – Systems Support Specialist, Distance Learning and Professional Education
Moses Adrien – Systems Analyst, Distance Learning and Professional Education
Paul Welty – CEO, Synaxis
Michael Sheldon – Technology Director, Synaxis
The Distance Learning and Professional Education (DLPE) website is the main communications tool for Distance Learning, Professional Education, the Language Institute, and the Global Learning Center. Its previous iteration was largely based on the Distance Learning and Professional Education organizational structure, and thus, was confusing to external visitors who had to wade through layers of information to reach their desired course content.
Qualitative, quantitative, and user experience research each played significant roles in shaping the new website and ensured that the most important customer needs were met. For example, the DLPE team observed more than 13,000 searches performed using the website's new course finder, designed to optimize the search logic and weighting of search results. A clean, consistent layout enhances the overall usability and functionality of the site. The judges appreciated the consistent tone, voice, and message throughout.
The DLPE team successfully balanced intuition and experience with data-driven decisions to craft a hugely successful redesign resulting in a staggering 600 percent increase in organic search results and a 27 percent increase in average time spent on the site. Additionally, implementation of the Drupal content management system and Google Analytics allow DLPE to continually monitor the site's content.
Stefany Sanders – Director of Communications, College of Computing
Mike Terrazas – Assistant Director of Communications, College of Computing
Bobby Strickland – Graphics Specialist, College of Computing
Georgia Tech Communications & Marketing Digital Media Team
The College of Computing undertook the complex task of strategically redesigning the College's website and creating new sites for its schools. The school websites were designed to flawlessly integrate with the main College site while maintaining certain unique elements to differentiate aspects of each school. In addition to the new look of the website, the College of Computing introduced improved navigation and messaging to help target audiences quickly reach the information they need. The judges especially appreciated the website's information for future students, such as "What is Computing?" and "What's Different at Tech?" Judges encourage other units at Georgia Tech to develop similar content for their respective units and programs.
The new design draws a visitor's focus to a central section that highlights key strategic messages from the College of Computing through engaging photography and compelling headlines. Judges found the website's use of graphics and color very appealing. The website also does a good job of integrating social media components and linking to prominent College of Computing bloggers.
Dean J. DeGennaro – Video Producer / Director, Georgia Tech Cable Network
Targeted toward upcoming students and their parents, "Livin' the Dream" is a fun, creative, and engaging spot that encourages campus living. Rather than an e-mail, letter, or brochure, the video takes a fresh and innovative approach to encourage students to live on campus. Even the video's overall package, with its bright yellow design and bold words "WATCH ME," stands out and is appealing to its target audience. The video itself is excellently produced and does a great job of capturing campus spirit. Judges loved the original song performed by the student a cappella group, Sympathetic Vibrations. The video also does a great job of communicating to two distinct audiences by including messaging from parents of currents students and Georgia Tech officials in a separate section for prospective parents. The video's simple message, "live on campus," is creatively repeated and reinforced throughout the spot. Georgia Tech Housing is pleased to report that 100 percent of fall campus housing was filled.
Marilyn Somers – Director, Living History Program, Georgia Tech Alumni Association
Scott Dinerman – Videographer, Georgia Tech Alumni Association
Targeted toward upcoming and newly admitted students, "Georgia Tech: Your Door to Opportunity" is designed to inspire the incoming freshman class by showcasing the success of young Georgia Tech alumni. Played during New Student Convocation and before campus tours throughout the year, the video evokes strong feelings of pride, and students are inspired to emulate the featured alumni. The video displays good use of special effects and overall technical excellence.
John Toon – Manager, Georgia Tech Research News & Publications
This story about a potential new source of energy is a perfect example of how university research is benefitting society and demonstrates Georgia Tech's leadership in nanoscience and nanotechnology. The story focuses on the potential for capturing photovoltaic power without the large—and sometimes ugly—rooftop arrays through Professor Z. L. Wang's research on a new type of three-dimensional photovoltaic system that could generate electricity from nanometer-scale structures grown on optical fiber.
The story is written in a technical style appropriate for its audience of science and energy writers and scientific and technology media outlets and provides the level of detail they need to cover the story. The judges were also impressed by the extensive coverage in more than seventy-five media outlets, including Australian Broadcasting, the BBC, Discovery News, Electronic Design News, Electronic Engineering Times, Electronics Weekly, MSNBC.com, National Geographic, Photonics Spectra, Photovoltaics World, Scientific American, and Technology Review.
Abby Robinson – Communications Officer, Georgia Tech Research News & Publications
This three-part series that ran in consecutive issues of Research Horizons magazine contained an impressive twenty stories about cancer research at Georgia Tech. The series does an excellent job of describing the breadth and depth of cancer research conducted across campus through individual research stories. The judges were impressed that the series showcased the interdisciplinary nature of research by more than two dozen faculty members from nine departments across campus. The series generated media coverage in Technology Review, Medgadget, BioTechniques, GenomeWeb, and Discoveries and Breakthroughs Inside Science, among others.
Kim Link-Wills – Editor and Director of Alumni Publications, Georgia Tech Alumni Association
Leslie Overman – Assistant Editor, Georgia Tech Alumni Association
Kelvin Kuo – Student Photographer
This Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine article generated incredibly positive feedback from readers who found it a refreshing change from stories about research and technological innovation. The human-interest story covers the unofficial program and dedicated volunteers that care for the feral and abandoned cat population on campus.
The judges found the story about a little-known volunteer effort to keep the campus feral cat population healthy and under control to be touching, informative, and interesting.
Stefany Sanders – Director of Communications, College of Computing
Bobby Strickland – Graphics Specialist, College of Computing
Mike Terrazas – Assistant Director of Communications, College of Computing
Louise Russo – Web Marketing Manager, College of Computing
The Grace Hopper Twitter Campaign impressed the judges as an innovative and cost-effective means of generating awareness of the impressive research and contribution of female faculty and students at the Georgia Tech College of Computing. This entry's relevant and engaging messaging was not only appropriate in connection with the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing conference, but it also aligned with the College's larger theme of "defining the new face of computing." The campaign promoted women in computing by showcasing a diverse selection of faculty and students making meaningful scientific discoveries in computing research.
Measuring the impact of social media tactics can be challenging; however, this entry demonstrated measurable success, resulting in a 23 percent "engagement" rate with the Tweeted messages, over the course of just four days.
Stephanie Lee – Marketing Director, Ferst Center for the Arts at Georgia Tech
The Ferst Center for the Arts 2010-2011 Season Campaign captured the attention of the judges through both online and print media, with a creative campaign that emphasized the unique video, music, and photography of this season's artists and performers. The campaign also drew attention from the local press, resulting in coverage of the new ARTech dance residency program from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Each tactic in the campaign incorporated similar design elements and messaging, which created a consistent look and feel at each customer touch-point. The campaign was carefully structured into three phases occurring over three months, helping to keep the Ferst Center top of mind as other arts organizations announced their seasons.
One of the primary goals of this year's campaign was to get into market ahead of the target audience's vacation season. With the project team's hard work, the 2010-2011 campaign resulted in a 25 percent increase in year-over-year ticket sales.
Tiffany Watson – Program Coordinator, Georgia Tech Police Department
Elizabeth Campell – Client Manager, Georgia Tech Communications & Marketing
Ian Mayberry – Officer, Georgia Tech Police Department
Alex Gutierrez – Officer, Georgia Tech Police Department
The Take the Time, Prevent the Crime campaign was timely given increased news coverage and awareness of crime in and around Georgia Tech's midtown Atlanta campus. The campaign appropriately and effectively leveraged the Georgia Tech brand across all channels. Messaging was clear and consistent across tactics, offering students relevant information on crime prevention specific to the campus and surrounding environment. Judges felt the videos were creative and liked the fact that actual Georgia Tech students were featured. The campaign creatively employed non-traditional tactics, including a Georgia Tech Police Department Facebook page, to deliver helpful safety and crime prevention tips. The campaign achieved stated objectives by reducing thefts on campus by 5 percent.
Rebecca Keane – Communications Officer, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
Carol Silvers – Administrative Assistant, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
Juan McGruder – Interim Development Officer, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
The Annual Ivan Allen College Founder's Day marked its tenth anniversary on March 15, 2010. This event occurs near the birth date of Ivan Allen Jr., the College's namesake, a Georgia Tech alumnus and former mayor of Atlanta. A primary objective of Founder's Day is to inspire awareness about the College and its mission and how it is fulfilling its stewardship of the Allen legacy through humanitarian research and programs.
The Institute-level Founder's Day celebration is also the setting for the presentation of the Ivan Allen Jr. Award for Progress and Service. Also included was a moderated cross-disciplinary symposium showcasing the College's relevance and influence locally, nationally, and internationally. Judges were impressed with the overall consistency of the program's visual elements and how the event met its stated objectives. Event organizers demonstrated a clear understanding of their target audience, and the judges felt they truly reached that audience.
George Ray – Specialist, Georgia Tech Government and Community Relations
Betsy Jackson – Assistant Director, Georgia Tech Government and Community Relations
Carol Hogan – Assistant to the President, President's Office
Val Peterson – Georgia Tech's first lady
On November 7, 2009, President and Mrs. Peterson, along with the Office of Government and Community Relations, hosted Georgia Tech's first annual Legislative Day. The event included a "tailgate buffet" reception at the president's residence prior to the football game. The primary objectives of Legislative Day were to show gratitude to government leaders for their previous support of Georgia Tech and to engage those new to the Institute for future support. Many of the attendees had never visited campus or interacted with Georgia Tech, so the event provided a way to begin a relationship with them. Throughout the years, legislative outreach has created many significant connections.
The day was high impact, which impressed the judges. Many logistical details were planned, including easy access to campus, parking, and the president's house. This event truly reached out to a highly influential audience of government leaders at all levels, from local to federal. Judges thought that hosting such a high-quality, memorable event on the Georgia Tech campus will generate a valuable return over time. Guests included Governor Sonny Perdue, University System Chancellor Erroll B. Davis Jr., Board of Regents' Chairman Bob Hatcher, and numerous other state representatives and senators.
Charles "Chuck" Mulford was selected because he has been a media powerhouse for at least ten years—advancing the reputation of both the business school and the Institute, setting the highest standard. He has been able to bridge the academic divide by offering relevant and accessible reports to financial communities since 2002 through his Georgia Tech Financial Analysis Lab.
Chuck has consistently been one of Georgia Tech's most quoted experts, and the reasons why are clear. He offers unique insights, is responsive, and has built relationships with key media outlets. Chuck's insightful comments and in-depth analysis has appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Bloomberg, CFO Magazine, CNBC, Compliance Week, Dallas Morning News, Detroit Free Press, the Economist, Financial Week, Forbes, Fox Business, Going Concern, Innovations Report, MSN Money, Reuters, Seattle Times, and the Wall Street Journal.
Stefany Sanders is recognized as a leader in the communications community at Georgia Tech. She excels at spotting trends, thinking strategically, and integrating communication efforts across media channels. Stefany is seen as a leader in applying technology to communications and trying new approaches. Not one to wait for innovation to come to her, she pushes the College of Computing forward through coherent, forward-thinking communication strategies.
One letter of support said, "Stefany is the epitome of communication. She is professional, very knowledgeable, and excellent at leading her team. She has placed the College of Computing on the map with the way she gets the word out. She has displayed a knack for new and innovative things when it comes to communication and is a dedicated employee to the College."