The University Communication and Marketing (UCAM) team recently received accolades from two separate professional organizations for outstanding creative work showcasing UNM.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for the incredibly innovative and inspiring work produced by our University marketing, web and communication teams, including our student employees,” said Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Cinnamon Blair. "These awards are something that everyone who is part of UNM should be proud of, as they reflect the spirit and energy of what it means to be a Lobo."

UCAM was honored with two CASE District IV Accolades from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) in this year’s regional competition, recognizing the best communications and outreach from educational institutions. The team received a Grand Gold in the category of General Information Video, short, for its production of Steps Worth Waiting For. The video garnered nearly 20,000 views on social media. It recognized the hardships overcome and the successes achieved by the Class of 2020 during a global pandemic. CASE District IV received more than 400 entries and bestowed only 13 Grand Gold awards across all categories. According to CASE, “Grand Gold designations are awarded to submissions that stand out to the judges as truly innovative or best in that category.”

In addition, Campus Glow Ups, one of several videos in the Campus Countdown series, won the Silver Award in Student Recruitment Videos from CASE – one of only 49 silver awards presented. CASE District IV award entries come from educational institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

UCAM also received three awards from the international and multi-industry recognizing AVA Digital Awards including:

The work recognized by the AVA Digital Awards also represents strong collaboration across departments. The campus tour website was a joint effort with the Division of Enrollment Management, and the Lobo Day website was created by UCAM Web Communications for the Lobo Day event which is an annual partnership between UCAM, ASUNM Lobo Spirit, and the Student Activities Center.

The AVA Digital Awards recognize excellence by creative professionals with a particular focus on the planning, concept, direction, design and production of digital communication.

“The UCAM team really shines in the many ways they fuse their collaborative talent to tell the UNM story in an authentic and engaging way.” Blair said. “I am so proud to work with this outstanding team, and with the many Lobos who make our story so dynamic and colorful.”

While the number of award entries is limited by budget and time, UCAM has historically received awards from almost every competition it enters. In 2020, the team won more than 15 awards for work published between Fall 2018 and Fall 2020.

CASE is a global nonprofit association of educational institutions that focuses on best practices in the field of advancement, and the AVA Digital Awards is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), one of the oldest, largest, and most respected evaluators of creative work in the marketing and communication industry.