West Virginia State University Commercial Wins National Telly Awards

5/23/2019

---

Contact: Jack Bailey
(304) 766-4109
Jbaile19@wvstateu.edu
 
   
INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The 2019 West Virginia State University (WVSU) television commercial, produced by the Barnes Agency, has been recognized by the 40^th Annual Telly Awards, the premier awards program honoring video and television.

Announced Tuesday, the University’s “It Starts at STATE” commercial was awarded a bronze Telly in the local television and local cable, schools/colleges/universities category in the 30 second commercial category.

The longer version of the “It Starts at STATE” commercial also received a bronze Telly in the 60 second local television and local cable, schools/colleges/universities category.

“To receive this type of recognition for our new ‘It Starts at STATE’ campaign speaks volumes about the hard work of all those involved in its development and production,” said WVSU President Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins. “I am especially proud of all of our students, faculty and staff who are featured in the commercial showcasing their talents and representing what it means to be a part of the Yellow Jacket Nation.”

Filmed on the WVSU campus last fall, both the 30 and 60 second versions of the “It Starts at STATE” commercial feature University students, faculty and staff. All voice over work in the commercial spots is done by WVSU students.

“As a proud graduate of West Virginia State University, it is a special sense of pride when notified that your video production body of work for your alma mater has been recognized on a national level,” said Jeff Barnes, president and CEO of the Barnes Agency, and a 1986 graduate of WVSU.

The Telly Awards is the premier award honoring video and television across all screens. Established in 1979, The Telly Awards annually receives more than 12,000 entries from all 50 states and five continents. For more information, visit www.tellyawards.com.

The 30 second version of the “It Starts at STATE” commercial can be viewed here.

Follow West Virginia State University on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @WVStateU.
 
 
West Virginia State University is a public, land grant, historically black university, which has evolved into a fully accessible, racially integrated, and multi-generational institution, located in Institute, W.Va. As a “living laboratory of human relations,” the university is a community of students, staff, and faculty committed to academic growth, service, and preservation of the racial and cultural diversity of the institution. Its mission is to meet the higher education and economic development needs of the state and region through innovative teaching and applied research.