Advanced Manufacturing Institute Wins Marketing Award

(Manhattan, Kan., January 30, 2008) - The Advanced Manufacturing Institute at Kansas State University has been honored by the American Advertising Federation with a gold Addy award for best direct mail campaign.

The award-winning "Dream Team" campaign emphasized the institute's ability to develop an idea and take it to market with its highly qualified engineering and business staff. The campaign featured nontraditional pieces, including player's cards, which resembled baseball cards featuring the institute's project managers; perforated ticket stubs offering the institute's services; and a foam fan finger to make the campaign's message memorable.

Lea Studer, marketing and communications manager at the Advanced Manufacturing Institute, credits the success of the "Dream Team" campaign to the institute's interns who worked along side her, and assumed many responsibilities throughout the process.

"They helped in coordinating various elements of the campaign by offering creative input, editing materials and assisting with its implementation," Studer said. "Their fresh perspectives and dedication to producing quality work is reflected in the final product."

Renee Austin, a senior in marketing, Cimarron, and one of the interns on the project, said she enjoyed the experience. "This was one of the biggest accomplishments of my educational career," she said. "I gained invaluable knowledge working through each step of the creative process to implement an effective marketing campaign."

Austin contributed to the project through the editing of the Web site, and assisting with the distribution and follow-up of the five-piece campaign. Other interns involved in the project included Kristen Seiwert, senior in public relations, Wichita; and Curtis Corcoran, December 2007 bachelor's graduate in marketing, Sherrard, Ill.

"Lea did a great job of making sure that we were all very involved in the process, and she took the time to show us the little things that make a great campaign," Austin said. "It feels amazing to know that our marketing team's efforts have earned industry recognition with this prestigious award."