The University of Mississippi

UM C3 Summit

Ole Miss 2024 Communicators Network Awards

Overview

On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, the Ole Miss Communicators Network Awards will be presented during UM’s UMC3 Summit. Professional, full-time UM communicators are eligible to be nominated for each of the following honors:

  • Ole Miss Communicator of the Year:
    This award will recognize the individual who, in the judgment of the conference planning committee, demonstrates exceptional abilities, skills, and talents in leading the university to greater and more successful communications and public engagement. Ideal candidates will have an established record of success within the Communicators Network. The winner of this award may be nominated directly or selected from nominations of the awards of excellence in storytelling and collaborations & partnerships.
  • Ole Miss Marketer of the Year:
    This award will recognize the individual who, in the judgment of the conference planning committee, demonstrates exceptional abilities, skills, and talents in leading the university to greater and more successful marketing and brand building. Ideal candidates will have an established record of success within the Communicators Network. The winner of this award may be nominated directly or selected from nominations of the awards of excellence in collaborations & partnerships, multimedia, social media, and email marketing.
  • New Communicator/Marketer of the Year:
    This award will recognize an up-and-comer in the Communicators Network who has been employed by the university for less than 12 months from the date of the 2024 conference and demonstrates exceptional communication/marketing abilities while advancing the university.
  • Excellence in Storytelling Award:
    This award will recognize the individual who, in the judgment of the conference planning committee, stands out in his or her ability to create compelling content that best tells the story of the university and its people. Storytelling in all forms may be considered for this honor.
  • Excellence in Collaborations & Partnerships Award:
    This award will recognize the individual who, in the judgment of the conference planning committee, stands out in his or her ability to collaborate with multiple units and individuals to achieve strategic communication or marketing goals and to identify new opportunities for collaborations and partnerships that advance the university.
  • Excellence in Multimedia Award:
    This award will recognize the individual who, in the judgment of the conference planning committee, stands out in his or her ability to create innovative visual communications that help advance the university and its mission. Print, digital, video, and web designs may all be considered for this honor.
  • Excellence in Social Media Award:
    This award will recognize the individual, who in the judgment of the conference planning committee, stands out in his or her ability to create dynamic social media posts or campaigns that help advance the university and its mission.
  • Excellence in Email Marketing Award:
    This award will recognize the individual, who in the judgment of the conference planning committee, stands out in his or her ability to create exceptional email communications or campaigns that help advance the university and its mission while having outstanding open rates and interactions from recipients.

Nomination Information

The conference planning committee seeks nominations from the Network and the local community. You do not need to be a member of the Ole Miss Communicators Network to nominate an individual for this award. Self-nominations will also be accepted and considered.

How to Nominate

All entries and supporting documents must be submitted using this form by 5 p.m. on Monday, November 27, 2023. Nominations should include a written statement no longer than 500 words. Supporting documents that reinforce the nominations are recommended. The individuals being nominated for the Communicator of the Year award and the Marketer of Year award must be members of the UM Communicators Network. In nominating a person for the awards, a nominator might consider:

  • The nominee’s implementation of a successful program, campaign or project in the prior academic year.
  • The nominee’s demonstrated effectiveness in communications, marketing, or public engagement for the entire year.

Other considerations may include:

  • The nominee’s commitment to professionalism.
  • The nominee’s efforts to help others advance or enter the profession.
  • The nominee’s leadership and involvement in the Ole Miss Communicators Network.

When submitting your nomination, you may share examples of a nominee’s work. You may also provide quotes or support from colleagues, supervisors, etc.

Recipient Selection

The final selection will be made by the UMC3 Summit planning committee prior to the conference. If you have been nominated for an award you will be notified prior to the UMC3 Summit. Winners will be announced at the event.

Nominee Form

All entries and supporting documents must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1.