And the Emmy goes to … the Mini 500? Georgia Tech’s 2009 public service announcement (PSA), featuring the annual homecoming tricycle race known as the Mini 500, has won a regional Emmy in the category "Best Television Commercial Produced in the Southeast." 

“We try to create a spot that will stand out and position Georgia Tech as place where technology and creativity thrive,” said Katie Bows Taylor, director of marketing communications. “It is a real honor to win a regional Emmy really because it demonstrates the creativity and skill of our team.”

Conceptualized and produced by Georgia Tech Communications & Marketing, that team included more than 40 students, faculty, and staff from across campus. The core contributors were led by Taylor, videographer Maxwell Guberman, marketing communications manager Brooke Novak, associate vice president of communications Jim Fetig, director of online communications Jeff Smith, web developer Fletcher Moore, student communications manager Sarah Mallory, production coordinator Christine Brazill, and director of client relations David Arnold.

Student involvement was vital in adding authenticity to the message, taking the production from a reenactment of a Georgia Tech tradition to an actual celebration of the moment. All of the announcement’s actors are Georgia Tech students; many of the student extras made the posters and signs that appear in crowd scenes. The Ramblin’ Reck Club and Student Communications Committee were instrumental in recruiting campus supporters.

“Our students are the heart and soul of Georgia Tech,” said Tayor. “Using our students is a great way to showcase what is unique about the Georgia Tech experience. This spot shows the serious side of Tech, but also shows that students here have fun.”

Earlier this year, the PSA won a Grand Gold Award for Audio Visual Communications, Television category from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Southeast Region. 

Communications & Marketing annually produces a 30-second PSA that airs during Georgia Tech’s nationally televised football and basketball games. The 2010 PSA will air with the launch of the fall football season in August.