The Martin Hall Agency (MHA), a student-run advertising and public relations agency within the Reed College of Media,has been awarded four American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) in the West Virginia chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF)’s 2019 student competition. The ADDY Awards recognizeprofessionals and college students who have created outstanding work in creative advertising.
MHA’s fall 2019 staff produced exceptional work with the “Don’t Box Me In” First Amendment Day campaign. MHA was awarded a Gold ADDY award for a series of posters designed to promote the First Amendment Day events. One Silver ADDY was awarded for the “Don’t Box Me In” cross-platform campaign, which included an animated promotional gif, posters, banner, social media hashtag campaign (#1ADay), media release, PSA/radio ad, t-shirt designand a promotional video. The second Silver ADDY was for the “Don’t Box Me In” t- shirt design, and the third Silver ADDY was awarded for MHA’s new logo, watermark, insignia and brand guideline book.
“These professionally vetted awards confirm the outstanding work and dedication of our students and faculty,”saidDiana Martinelli,Reed College of Media dean."We are excited to see MHA continue to grow and mature."
MHA was developed into a course-based experiential learning program in 2019 and focuses on fulfilling WVU’s land grant institutional mission of strengthening the communities in which it serves by aiding local businesses and nonprofit organizations with strategic communication strategies and campaigns. MHA focuses on innovation, inclusivity and insight in all client work and providesstudents a real-world agency experience.
The work of the 2019 MHA staff was led by Jennifer Harker, assistant professor of strategic communication; and the MHA design team was mentored by Justin Clem, multimedia specialist at the WVU Alumni Association and a WVU alumnus.
The “Don’t Box Me In” First Amendment Day campaign was funded by a generous grant from the “1 for All” initiative at the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University.