Leadership and connections are focus of new ad, video

Leadership and connections are focus of new ad, video

As University alumni and friends tune into Cox Cable (Ch. 3) to watch their rambunctious Rams on the field, they may also see a few familiar faces during halftime station breaks.

A new 30-second ad developed by the Communications Dept. in the Division of University Advancement, is now airing during the Coach Tim Stowers Show, during televised football games, and will continue for the basketball season.

Produced by Communications Director Linda A. Acciardo, written by Public Information Specialist Jan Wenzel and filmed and edited by Dana Neugent of the Multimedia Center at URI's Providence Campus, the ad features on-the-job images of prominent URI graduates. Oceanographer and explorer Robert Ballard, CNN Reporter Christianne Amanpour, R.I. Governor Lincoln C. Almond, and CVS Pharmacy leader Tom Ryan are shown in their recognizable work environments. The spot ends with the tagline, "University of Rhode Island...Where tomorrow's leaders learn today."

"Having recognized the need to reshape the University's advertising presence, especially during the athletic season, Linda and her staff have done a wonderful job, especially on a limited budget," said Vice President of Advancement Robert M. Beagle. "Over the last few years they have reached out, formed new working partnerships and developed new talents from within to effectively and efficiently spread the message about our stellar alumni, students and faculty. This new ad and other multimedia projects they created have been very well received by both alumni and the extended University community.

"The work also supports the Alumni Association Planning Committee's recommendation that we return to advertising that highlights alumni achievement, which is considered to be one of the best public measures of URI's quality," Beagle added.

In addition to the Alumni ad, the team has produced a 4-minute video that is used by the URI Advancement Division's Annual Fund staff as they meet with alumni from around the nation. It was then adapted for a 30-second spot. Entitled "Connections," the video features Annual Fund Chairs Mark ('82) and Rita ('83) Baglini, and is a fun, fast-paced trip to the old and new sites and sounds at the University's Campuses. The video shows glimpses of campus sites and highlights the renovations, new construction, and more taking place at the University.

Above all, the video clearly achieves its goal and reveals the strong, special connection that many alumni feel to their Alma Mater. View these ads at http://www.news.uri.edu.

By Jhodi Redlich