Double Salford celebration at prestigious education marketing awards

Salford scooped the silver trophies in both the ‘Marketing Team of the Year’ and ‘Best Community/Business Engagement Campaign or Initiative’ categories at the glittering awards ceremony held in Manchester last week.

For over 30 years, the Heist Awards have celebrated excellence and innovation within the higher education sector and are a highlight in the academic calendar.
 

'Marketing Team of the Year' 

The Marketing Team's award submission highlighted some of the team's successes and spotlighted a few of the many projects that they have been working on over the past twelve months, and also featured the University's impressive student numbers for the 2021/22 cycle.

But it wasn't just the year on year successes and the commitment to corporate objectives that impressed the judges. The Marketing Team showcased how they'd supported each other through the pandemic in the submission, by hosting ‘weekly wind down’ sessions over Teams where colleagues were encouraged to demonstrate their none work related skills. From cross stitching with Ben, to a cook along with Andrew and journaling with Alex. Colleagues also spoke about their faith practices and the challenges this can bring to working life (e.g Ramadan and the physical toll it takes whilst working a full-time job). 

The team carried out a series of challenges and fun activities last year and ended up raising thousands of pounds for The Brain Tumour Charity to support a valued member of the team. Activities varied from a book and cake sale, to a 12-hour exercise-athon on one of the hottest days of the year! There was also a mention of the infamous Christmas singles that were written and performed by two members of the team just to entertain their colleagues and make them smile during difficult times. 

Michelle Amos, Associate Director Marketing and Digital, said: “This is fantastic recognition for the team - the ‘Marketing Team of the Year’ award is the most anticipated award of the evening so the fact we won Silver ahead of so many other great institutions is a real testament to the hard work and creativity of the department.”

The judges commented: “This was a lovely entry with real character. The University of Salford’s Marketing Team are a truly standout team, who have consistently delivered creativity, exceptional results and clearly have a great team culture. We look forward to the future Christmas number 1!”
 

'Best Community/Business Engagement Campaign or Initiative' - Friends of Energy House 2.0

In 2022, the University launched the Friends of Energy House 2.0 programme; a new philanthropic arm to Energy House 2.0 that enables industry to test sustainable solutions in buildings and kitting out net zero homes.

The goals were to connect the expertise of the facility with local community projects through raising funds from businesses; developing a pipeline of talent in sustainability, raising awareness of climate change issues, encouraging the public to reduce their carbon footprint, and tackling issues around fuel poverty.

Over the past 18 months, the team has engaged businesses to donate to a central impact fund where collectively their donation could have a greater benefit for the community, Andy Burnham has become a Friend of Energy House 2.0 and has helped to raise the profile of the facility and the positive impact of its research, and three projects have received funding. 

Delivery of these projects is now underway, bringing the University and the facility closer to the community and wider public - in classrooms and in cultural venues, raising the profile of our institution and research.

The judges commented: “A positive community engagement project from virtually zero budget. This campaign raised outstanding awareness throughout the UK and created a long-term legacy.”
 

The full list of award winners can be found on the Heist website.