Derby Ready For TV Spotlight
21 August 2006
Part of the advert being filmed at Katapult.
There are some fantastic stories of achievement and experience.
”Peter Allen, Director of Marketing
Today sees the launch of a new TV advertising campaign from the University of Derby. An estimated 1.8 million viewers across the region will see graduates, staff and students promote the University of Derby based on their own personal success stories.
About £200,000 has been invested in the campaign which will be broadcast first on ITV from Monday 21 August and on Channel Four from Friday 1 September.
With the emphasis on being ‘clear, real and personal’, and explaining the benefits of studying at Derby, this campaign is key to our recruitment drive.
The University’s Marketing Director Peter Allen said: “The University of Derby has a huge amount to offer. But why should people just take it from us? Let’s see what some of our graduates, staff and current students have to say.
“There are some fantastic stories of achievement and experience. So our question to prospective students who see the advert is: ‘What could you get out of studying here?
’“We hope it will encourage viewers to take a look at what is on offer at the University of Derby.”
Local marketing agency Katapult, itself founded by Derby graduates, carried out the filming and production for the project. Peter added he was delighted to have the Katapult team on board.
Neil Perrott, Account Director at Katapult, said: “Our idea focuses on real people and how the University of Derby has helped them both professionally and personally, highlighting the incredible support given to students by lecturers and staff.
“The University has many success stories and we’re going to cite these as firm proof that study enables many people to lead the lives they want to live.”
Sally Maycock, 29, from Belper, is one of the students featured. In the advert she says that at Derby she received “Training that helps me save lives”.
Sally completed an Advanced Diploma in Nursing at the University in January, and is now a newly qualified staff nurse at Ripley Community Hospital and Clinic in Derbyshire.
She said: “I was surprised to be asked to take part and it was quite nerve-wracking. But the advert looks good and I was happy to promote the University. I thoroughly enjoyed my study time at Derby – the staff are supportive and the facilities are fantastic.”
Kelly Atkins, 27, from Derby, is another former student profiled. She says in the advert that the university gave her the “Opportunity to try out new ideas”.
Kelly graduated in 2001 with a BA (Hons) in Applied Art. She is now Managing Director of Carpet-Burns Limited, a carpet recycling business she founded in her last year at the University. Kelly’s innovative business has attracted the attention of style magazines because it transforms waste carpet into a new material that can be used to create beautiful objects in a sustainable way.
She said: “Derby was an excellent university experience for me. I made lots of friends and it enabled me to pursue the career I wanted. I was happy to take part in the advert and would definitely encourage others to take a look at what’s on offer at the University. ”
For more details about the TV advert and its production, or to find out more about the wide range of courses and opportunities available at the University of Derby visit www.derby.ac.uk/tv-ad
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For further information call: Simon Redfern, Senior Press and PR Officer, University of Derby on 01332 591942, or email s.redfern@derby.ac.uk.
