The Starkville School District won top honors for the Parents for Public Schools newspaper ad campaign promoting Starkville’s public schools. SSD was awarded first place honors during the Mississippi School Public Relations Association’s Annual Awards Luncheon on Friday in Jackson.
The eight-week campaign which began in March featured SSD students and alumni and showcased the numerous areas where SSD excels.
“This campaign would not have been possible without the financial support of PPS,” said SSD Public Information Officer Nicole Thomas. “PPS has always recognized the importance of marketing in public education, and they have always supported the efforts of the Starkville School District,” Thomas added.
PPS members have also offered their talents individually to contribute to the success of SSD’s marketing strategy. Kathy Marcum, PPS member, SSD parent, and talented graphic design artist, worked with SSD to create the ads.
The judges’ comments included:
- Creative concept.
- Effective use of blending academics and arts together.
- I want to know more about this district!
- Very effective.
- Good information and creativity in use of alumni.
- I love the concept of parent comments about their child’s school as a marketing tool.
- Having the invite for open house come from parents is effective use of concept.
The Starkville School District was also recognized as a 1st place award winner in the audio/visual category for “Believe,” a 4 minute video in which teachers and students appeal to each member of the Starkville School District and the Starkville community to believe in, lean on, respect and encourage one another.
The video was a collaborative effort between the Starkville School District and Broadcast Media Group, a Starkville-based production company and a friend of the Starkville School District.