WKU News

Cherry Creative and Student Publications Advertising received multiple awards in the 2023 College Media Business & Advertising Managers annual contest.

WKU Student Publications received recognition in the following categories:

• First place, Best Living Guide for the 2023 Housing Guide
• Second place, Best Sales Strategy for a Special Section for the advertising staff’s approaching to sell Best of the Hill
• Second place, Best Sponsored Content or Native Advertising for a downtown Homecoming map designed by Evansville senior Bailey Brush.
• Third place, Best Sales Promotional Materials for 2022-2023 sales fliers designed by Georgetown senior Amelia Curry.
• Third Place, Best Rate Card/Media Kit for the 2022-2023 media kit designed by Curry
• Honorable mention, Best Paid Design Product for the A Table for Y’all dining guide produced in partnership with the Bowling Green Convention & Visitors Bureau

Cherry Creative is a branded content studio housed within WKU Student Publications. The 2022-2023 leadership team included Sandy Springs, Georgia, graduate Cristina Betz; Evansville senior Bailey Brush; Louisville senior Emma Bayens; and Alexandria graduate Téa Jones. Cherry Creative is advised by Sam Oldenburg.

Student Publications Advertising sells marketing opportunities across all publications and products produced by Cherry Creative, College Heights Herald and Talisman. The fall 2022 ad manager was Pewee Valley graduate Alaina Scott. The spring 2023 ad manager was Taylorsville senior JT Steele. The advertising staff is advised by Wes Orange.

The awards were presented during the CMBAM conference Oct. 12-14 in Minneapolis. The conference, held at the University of Minnesota, brought together students and advisers working on the business operations of student media across the country. Representing WKU at the conference were two student sales representatives, Troy, Illinois, senior Abby Loftus and Mount Washington junior Keelin Davis along with Student Publications Assistant Director Sam Oldenburg. Oldenburg also volunteers on the CMBAM board of directors as the organization’s communications director.