press releases

Contrast Creative Soars with UNCW
7.23.10

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is embarking on a new capital campaign with a visually stunning promotional video produced by Contrast Creative.

Earlier this year the UNCW, one of 16 member institutions in the UNC System, put out a request for proposal for the creation of an inspirational fundraising video. In April 2010, Contrast Creative won the bid out of 17 proposals submitted from across the United States. “We were excited about the opportunity to expand our education portfolio and work with one of North Carolina’s top educational institutions,” says Tim Travitz, President of Contrast Creative.

Entitled “Soaring to Greatness,” the video highlights the University’s dramatic growth from about 200 students in 1947 to nearly 13,000 today. It shares the stories of students and professors whose dreams are becoming reality due to the incredible generosity of the UNCW alumni and friends. The video also features the addition of new campus structures, including several architecturally innovative educational buildings as well as dorms made possible by a unique public-private partnership.

Contrast was given just two months to conduct on-campus focus groups, develop a script, build a production schedule and post the final video. “What made it even more interesting,” explains Contrast’s Creative Director Kathleen McDonald, “is that by the time we shot the video in early June, the spring semester classes were complete and the campus was operating at low capacity.” Never fearing a challenge, the Contrast Creative team developed a compelling video approach using action photographs and vibrant audio techniques to bring the campus to life.

Delivered on time and on budget, Marla Rice-Evans, UNCW’s Associate Vice-Chancellor for University Advancement and Campaign Director, attributes the successful completion of the video to “exquisite communication” between Contrast Creative and the University.

“Everyone thinks the video is polished and solid. I am proud of the piece,” says Rice-Evans. The University plans to introduce the video at their upcoming campaign kick-off event in February 2011, and then present it at statewide campus sponsored alumni events. “It was great to work with Contrast Creative,” adds Rice-Evans. “I would recommend the company to anyone.”

Check out a sampling of the "Soaring to Greatness" video in the "Our Work" section.