• Charles Sturt University’s ‘It’s What We Do’ campaign awarded first place in the ‘Best Marketing Campaign – Larger Budget’ category at the Universities Australia Marketing, Communications and Development (UAMCD) awards
• The campaign highlighted the intrinsic nature of workplace learning at the university, and the edge that gives graduates in the job marketplace

 Charles Sturt University has taken out one of the major prizes at the Universities Australia Marketing, Communications and Development (UAMCD) awards.

The University’s ‘It’s What We Do’ campaign, launched in September last year, was awarded first place in the ‘Best Marketing Campaign – Larger Budget’ category.

The campaign, developed in partnerships with creative agency BWM Dentsu, was designed to demonstrate the depth and breadth of hands-on learning experiences available through the University and highlight the courses on offer.

The UAMCD awards recognise excellence in the fields of marketing, communications and fundraising at Australia’s universities.

In awarding the ‘It’s What We Do’ campaign first place, the UAMCD judges noted it “set out to bring the new Charles Sturt University brand to life by making it a first-choice tertiary institution”.

The judges said the campaign was a success, based on demonstrated student insight and a clear target market.

They noted how ‘It’s What We Do’ provides “a focal point around which the university is rethinking and reshaping programs and experiences”.

Charles Sturt University Chief Marketing Officer Mr Shawn Walker said university education is a highly competitive space and prospective students are looking for a tertiary institution that will give them a real advantage in the job marketplace and their career.

“Our campaign was built to show people that at Charles Sturt University you can get that edge – because you don’t just learn through theory, but you get to apply it too,” Mr Walker said.

“We are a hands-on university; workplace learning is a key component of almost every course we offer, and that translates into our graduates securing jobs at the highest national rate.

“To have our campaign recognised by Universities Australia is a great honour and testament to our dedicated marketing team and creative agency.”

Presenting the awards in an online ceremony, Universities Australia Chief Executive Ms Catriona Jackson said that 2020 had been a testing year for all Australians and a challenging one for students, universities and their communities.

“It’s fairly safe to assume that, as a result of COVID-19, nobody’s 2020 work plan looks much like it did back in January. Staff throughout Australia’s universities have quickly transitioned to a ‘new normal’ looking after the best interests of their students,” she said.

“I congratulate all those whose work has been recognised in these awards and thank everyone for their hard work and dedication in such a demanding year.”