The digital kiosk allows users to dress up virtually in a career of their choice. Photo credit: Esparza Advertising.

Advertising campaign wins American Marketing Association awards

Amanda L. Booren -- June 20, 2012

PASADENA, Texas – The New Mexico American Marketing Association (AMA) and the New Mexico Advertising Federation have recognized the San Jacinto College advertising campaign centered on the slogan “Invent Yourself.”

Submitted by Esparza Advertising, the Albuquerque, N.M., and Houston-based minority-owned advertising firm of record for the College, the campaign won two AMA Merit Awards for its digital kiosks, an AMA Merit Award for the “Invent Yourself” multi-media campaign, and a New Mexico Silver ADDY Award for the digital kiosks.

“We have been very happy to partner with Esparza Advertising, and applaud them for this recognition,” said Teri Fowlé, San Jacinto College associate vice chancellor for marketing and government relations.

The College currently has two digital kiosks located in a variety of sites throughout the San Jacinto College district, such as movie theaters and shopping malls, that allow users to visualize themselves in various career fields. These kiosks snap users’ photos, and then prompt them to choose a desired career path. Users then receive a virtual opportunity to “dress up” in attire from a career of their choice, such as a firefighter. Afterward, they can email the photo to a personal email address to use as they wish.

The San Jacinto College multi-media campaign consists of print and radio advertising, the digital kiosks, and outdoor billboard advertising.

“One of the unique aspects of our marketing campaign is that all of the images you see and many of the voices you hear are those of actual San Jacinto College students, employees, or their family members,” added Fowlé. “We felt it was important to use our own people, who truly represent San Jacinto College, as the face of our campaign and to add a personal element to our advertising.”

The AMA awards recognize and applaud marketers for achieving outstanding results from marketing campaigns, while the New Mexico Advertising Federation, a chapter of the American Advertising Federation, provides and promotes a better understanding of the functions of advertising and of its value; to apply the skills, creativity, and energy of the advertising industry whenever it is needed to help solve social problems.

About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for more than 50 years. The Achieving the Dream Leader College is committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of 30,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career preparation. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of growing industries in the region. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $630 million each year to the Texas workforce. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

For more information about San Jacinto College, please call 281-998-6150, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.