Two Videos by University Relations Production Team Win Telly Awards

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Bronze Telly Award

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Two University of Arkansas video production teams from the creative services department in the Office of University Relations received Bronze Telly Awards for videos they produced in the 36th annual award competition. The winning productions were University of Arkansas: Our Strength and the Short Takes web series.

“I’m very proud of the hard work, team effort and real creativity that went into producing both of these videos”, said Laura Jacobs, associate vice chancellor for University Relations. “The Our Strength video was a great representation of the U of A and our place in the region that was seen by millions of people. Short Takes continues to be a popular series with alumni, friends and parents – and we look forward to telling more great stories about the University of Arkansas.”

The “Tellys” are international awards recognizing outstanding local, regional and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions, and web commercials, videos and films. Winners are chosen from more than 12,000 entries from all 50 states and five continents. Winners in the past have ranged from major producers and national agencies to public universities, non-profits and relatively small local firms.

The promotional video University of Arkansas: Our Strength won a Bronze Telly in the “Institutional/Corporate Image” category. The video was shown during half-time of Razorback football games at Reynolds Razorback Stadium and broadcast nationally by networks carrying Razorback athletic events.

Roy Cordell, senior director of creative services, was producer for the video, with camera work by John Cooper, Will Gisler and Brian Petty. Gisler, manager of executive productions, directed and edited the piece.

The second Bronze award went to the University of Arkansas Short Takes video series in the category of “Web Series.” The videos are each under two minutes and promote a unique aspect of the U of A community – whether outstanding students, faculty, alumni, programs or traditions. The videos are sent to a broad group of university stakeholders and leaders in higher education.

The Short Takes series was produced by Mark Rushing, director of strategic communications, with camera work and interviews by John Cooper, Will Gisler, Ben Goodwin and Brian Petty, editing by Cooper, Gisler and Goodwin, and interviews and production assistance by Rebecca Morrison. Gisler served as director for the series as well. Story ideas for the Short Takes series are selected by an editorial board that includes Jennifer Holland and Steve Voorhies as well as Cordell, Gisler, Jacobs, Morrison and Rushing. 

Telly entries are judged based on their own merit and do not compete with one another. The judges’ panel is made up of former Telly winners and include advertising, production and other creative professionals, representing firms of all sizes from all regions of the country.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.