The Marketing department at Chattanooga State Community College was recently recognized for its outstanding performance in marketing and public relations at the 2010 District 2 National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) Medallion Awards in Miami, Florida. NCMPR is a national organization that connects marketing and PR professionals at community and technical colleges through networking opportunities, recognizing outstanding achievements and professional development.

Chattanooga State’s Marketing department entered nine categories, which resulted in six awards. Gold medallions were awarded to the College in two categories. The Online Achievement Book won in the Electronic Viewbook category, while the Online Orientation won in the category for Online Services.

The Online Schedule received a Silver Medallion in the Electronic Class Schedule/Catalog category. The Early College Video snagged silver in the category for College Promotional Videos. Completing the trifecta of Silver Medallions, the Campus Map won in the category for Innovation in Technology.

The final award won by Chattanooga State was as Bronze Medallion in the category for Video Advertisement/PSA Series. The five commercial series, “Thanks,” produced in partnership with Atomic Films, tied with Palm Beach State College for bronze.

“The field of advertising and promotion has changed tremendously with recent advancements in technology. I am very fortunate to have a staff that has met the challenge to keep up with the fast-changing world of social media. The Internet is well established as a medium and the online audience is growing rapidly. This has resulted in a ‘big picture’ approach to our marketing at ChattState. We are very proud of the advances we have made in our Web site and apparently our fellow marketers agree,” commented Patty Brown, director of marketing and communications at Chattanooga State.

The Marketing department at Chattanooga State is distinctive among colleges in that most of the work produced is done in-house by a marketing staff of nine. In addition to director Patty Brown, the staff includes Annette Alsobrooks, coordinator for publications and special events; Sandy Smith, coordinator for public relations; Vickie Boles, coordinator of Web services; Heidi Cawood, graphic designer, videographer and social media; Betty Proctor, graphic designer, public relations for off-campus sites and advisor to the student newspaper; and Shana Satterfield, office supervisor. In addition, Charles Fannin and Shawn Hiser are important members of the marketing team who assist the coordinator of Web services with the maintenance and upkeep of the College’s Web site.

NCMPR’s District 2 includes 11 southern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The organization’s exclusive representation of marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges across the country is unique.

“We also have entered the National Paragon awards which will be announced in March of 2011,” says Mrs. Brown. The 2011 Conference: Creative Revolution will take place in Philadelphia.