Nelson Mandela University: Mandela Uni graduation social media campaign lauded at international digital communication awards
Nelson Mandela University’s Communication and Marketing Department bagged an international Digital Communication Award (DCA2022), coming in third place in the “small budget campaign” category for its Autumn Graduation online campaign.
The virtual awards ceremony, which was streamed live from the German capital, Berlin, last night (15 September 2022), honoured various companies from around the world for their outstanding online projects and campaigns, including multinationals like BMW, Vodafone, McDonald’s, and Michelin.
Hosted by Quadriga University, the awards are open to companies and agencies, associations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and political institutions and parties from all over the globe.
The winners were awarded across six categories, namely Campaign of the Year for companies and for NGOs, Innovation, Boldest Campaign, Small Budget Campaign and a special category this year recognising those Marketing to the Youth.
Mandela University won bronze in the small budget campaign category, while Zell am See-Kaprun Tourismus won gold for their automated experience plan and Bundesverband Farbe Gestaltung Bautenschutz bagged silver for their campaign “Die Maler – Mal was Echtes” (The Painters – Something Real).
“We could not be more excited and proud at this international recognition, which is a great achievement for our team, who worked extremely diligently and under immense pressure to pull off this hugely successful campaign,” said the Senior Director: Communication and Marketing, Ms Chantal Janneker.
The University’s winning entry was based on the exciting Autumn Graduation period, in April/May this year, which was the institution’s first fully in-person graduation in two years, since the lockdown brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In order to accommodate all the graduates in a safe manner and in compliance with regulations, the institution hosted a marathon 26 ceremonies at its George and Gqeberha campuses.
“Graduation is one of the apex events for our institution, with staff and students alike looking forward to sharing in the acknowledgement of the graduates’ achievement,” said Ms Janneker.
“Despite the pressure of putting together such a significant event of more than 7 000 graduates and their families, particularly under the COVID-19 safety regulations, it was an exceptionally rewarding experience. Capturing the success stories extensively in the media, as well as on our digital platforms, was an added recognition and cherry on top.”
As per the entry, the campaign was to drive human interest stories related to graduation and celebrate the joy of being able to receive one’s qualification in person, on stage, and with family and friends.
“The campaign was so well received, far exceeding our expectation,” said Ms Janneker.
Notifying the Communication and Marketing Department of their bronze win, the DCA2022’s Valentina Neumair said it had once again been a very tough competition.
“However, you made it to the Top 3 in your category – what a success. Your project was ranked as one of the best of all applications and was chosen by our jury as a bronze winner,” she wrote.
The DCA2022 were completely virtual, from the submission of entries to voting, to selection by the jury and to the awards ceremony presented by former TV presenter and event emcee, Ms Wan Jun Yong.