Special to the Enquirer 

Students from Minerva, The University of Alabama’s Advertising and Public Relations’ graduate portfolio program, won Silver at the national American Advertising Awards in June. The campaign, titled “Spotify Audiobooks – Sincerely,” marks the profile program’s first national win in five years. 

“It’s wonderful when students win awards because it is a tangible and measurable outcome for all the hard work they put into a campaign,” said Mark Barry, assistant professor in the Advertising and Public Relations program and director of Minerva. “Minerva has a reputation for developing industry-ready creatives and awards like this help build upon that reputation.” 

Morgan Egan wrote the campaign’s copy, and Amanda Bowring, Laney Davis of Hartselle and Carlisle Ballard served as art directors. The campaign features a series of posters and billboards that “speak” to passersby via audiobook titles. “Dear Art Majors,” says one, featuring the cover of Lori Sullivan’s Jobs That Won’t Disappoint Your Parents. “Dear Ye,” says another, brandishing Soozey Johnstone’s I Am the Problem. 

In February, the campaign won a Gold ADDY in Tuscaloosa’s local American Advertising Awards. From there, the campaign won Silver in district competition and Silver at the national awards earlier this month. 

Minerva is a two-year portfolio program that offers students the opportunity to build a competitive creative portfolio while getting their undergraduate or graduate degree in advertising at The University of Alabama. 

The American Advertising Awards, conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) is the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition, attracting more than 25,000 entries every year. The three-tier competition starts at the local level, progresses to district and concludes at the national American Advertising Awards.