ASU's Cronkite Agency recognized for outstanding strategic communications, digital marketing campaigns

The Cronkite Agency, a capstone experience at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, was recognized with multiple awards during the 2023 dotComm and MarCom international awards competitions, which honor excellence in communication, web creativity and digital marketing.  

Cronkite Agency students received a dotComm Platinum Award in the Student Production category, recognizing their work as part of the RWJF Southwest Health Reporting and Communications Initiative. Generously funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the initiative supports the agency’s creation of campaigns about health care information and specifically targets the Spanish-speaking parents of young children in the Southwest. During the spring 2023 semester, the student team produced video content promoting healthy eating habits, in conjunction with Every Little Step Counts (ELSC), a family-centered diabetes prevention program. RWJF Professor of Practice Nicole Macias oversaw the work of students Yamileth Cabrera, Nicholas Elsner, Annette Garcia, Michayla Lopez, Daniel Ochoa, Mia Powell, Bella Schneider and Annia Zavala.

The agency also received a dotComm Gold Award among professional entries in the Social Media Campaign category, recognizing students’ work for the Arizona Foundation for Women. This nonprofit advances the status of Arizona’s women through research, advocacy and philanthropy. During the spring 2023 semester, the team created a campaign highlighting the organization’s Moonlight Masquerade Soirée in February. Clinical Assistant Professor Abby Zufelt oversaw the work of Maya Badman, Yamileth Cabrera, Gabriella Herran, Madison Lovin and Aleesha Singh.

Another Cronkite Agency team received a Gold Award in the professional Communication Plan category, recognizing its work for its client, Phoenix-based Wellkasa, which focuses on democratizing safe and effective integrative medicine for people with chronic medical conditions. A Gold MarCom Award is presented to entries that exceed the high standards of the industry norm. In 2023, there were over 6,500 award entries from throughout the United States, Canada and 43 other countries. A comprehensive traditional media and social media relations plan was implemented throughout the semester by students Doreen Ampofo, Charlotte Canada, Samantha Chow, Elias Johnson, Sarah Nguyen, Nicole Rossi and Miya Whitaker.

The agency also received honorable mentions for a social media campaign highlighting the grand opening of Tempe-based FABRIC, a nonprofit “phygital” fashion incubator, an evergreen brand brochure created for nonprofit Oakley’s Oath in Scottsdale, as well as a news release spotlighting the 2022 Día De Los Muertos game night for the Phoenix Suns.

“Our agency students have the unique opportunity to partner with their clients to develop creative, innovative and impactful communications and marketing campaigns,” said John James Nicoletti, the agency’s executive director and professor of practice at the Cronkite School. “I’m incredibly proud that their thoughtful initiative and precise execution has been recognized by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals for its excellence.”