Otterbein College was recognized with a silver award in the 24th Annual Admissions Advertising Awards for its video viewbook, Be Yourself at Otterbein College, an online video about how easy it is for students to showcase their individuality and to be themselves at Otterbein.

The video was created to fill a need for visual representation of the college online, said Jennifer Pearce, executive director of marketing and communications. Pearce believes the video will increase prospective students' knowledge about what the college has to offer, including available majors, Greek life, and various on-campus activities. "It also speaks of the warm and friendly culture that we offer here, as well as in Westerville and Columbus," she said.

The production of the video was a team effort among the Departments of Admissions and Marketing and Communications and a freelance videographer, Westerville resident Kirk Dapo. WOCC TV-3 students were also involved with the project, contributing some of their footage and selecting the music.

Be Yourself at Otterbein College was posted on Otterbein's website in September and YouTube, but it is not web exclusive. Pearce anticipates external uses for the piece. It has already been shown at various meetings and college programs.

The Annual Admissions Advertising Awards, sponsored by Admissions Marketing Report, is the largest educational advertising awards competition in the country. This year, more than 2,000 entries were received from more than 1,000 colleges, universities and secondary schools from all 50 states and several foreign countries.

Of the many applicants, gold awards were granted to 239 schools and silver awards were given to 210 schools. A listing of the winners will also be published in the March 2009 issue of Admissions Marketing Report.

Colleges and universities' marketing materials were recognized based on exceptional quality, creativity and message effectiveness of their programs and materials submitted. Judges for the Admissions Advertising Awards consisted of a national panel of admissions' marketers, advertising creative directors, marketing and advertising professionals and the editorial board of Admissions Marketing Report.

Admissions Marketing Report is the nation's leading marketing publication for higher education, read by thousands of admissions marketers at colleges and universities throughout the country each month.

To view Be Yourself at Otterbein College, visit www.otterbein.edu or tune in to WOCC TV-3.