Tag Archives: student

BU teams in final of European student advertising competition

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Two teams from Bournemouth University (BU) are in the final three for a student advertising competition that received entries from across Europe.

The teams – each made up of four BU final year BA (Hons) Advertising students – are through to the final of Ad Venture, an annual competition organised by the European Association of Communications Agencies (EACA) for students across Europe.

It is the first time two teams from the same university have been named as finalists in the competition, which aims to give students a taste of life working for an advertising agency.

Melanie Gray, Lecturer in Advertising and Marketing at BU, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for those students that have reached the finals of this European competition.

“It really does make all the teaching staff here on the BU Advertising degree immensely proud, both of the students and also for what it says about the degree course.

“Although entry into this competition is an integral part of their final year unit Campaign Planning, the quality of student entries from Bournemouth does reflect their entire education and experiences they have had over all their time here at BU.”

Teams are given a brief to create a campaign around, with this year’s challenge being to raise awareness of opportunities in Europe to support young people in gaining work experience.

The two finalist teams from BU – called Daffadowndilly and Fellow – will head to Barcelona on 9 May to present their campaigns to leading comms professionals from across Europe at the edcom conference.

The winners will receive a week at the Cannes Lions Festival in June, the biggest festival for those in the creative communications industries.

Daffadowndilly – made up of Rachel Banks, Darrell Pont, Georgina Robb and Joel Blackie – will be presenting their campaign called Map Your Future.

Daffadowndilly team photo

The Daffadowndilly team

Georgina, who acted as media planner for the group, said: “To get this far in the competition has been a very exciting but unexpected accomplishment. The team has worked so well together and enjoyed the challenge of a European brief.

“Presenting our idea to the judges in Barcelona will be a great opportunity that we are looking forward to. We’re also very proud for BU to be representing two out of the three final teams.”

Fellow – Laura Merchan McAulay, Florence Evans, Cameron Black and Marta Cownburn Cuesta – responded to the brief with a campaign called Change The Story.

Cameron, who was the Creative for the Fellow team, said they were “absolutely over the moon” to have reached the finals.

He added: “We feel incredibly proud to have the opportunity to represent BU at a European level and end our degree on a high.”

It’s not the first time students from the Corporate Marketing Communications department at BU have had success in Ad Venture, with BU students winning the competition in 2012 and a number of finalist spots over the years.

Melanie said:  “Once again, stand out achievements like this show that the BU Advertising degree produces some of the best quality student work in the country.”

BU men’s football team celebrate promotion success

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Bournemouth University’s men’s football team are celebrating this week, with the 1st and 3rd team clinching promotion to higher divisions.

The Men’s 1st team secured promotion with a 5-0 away victory against University of Winchester Men’s 1st team to claim the BUCS Western 2A League title.

The Men’s 3rd team finished the season with a top of the table clash against University of Bath and claimed a 2-1 away victory – with the winning goal scored in the last few moments of the game. They too, claimed their division title with the win and are promoted as a result.

From next season the Men’s 1st team will be playing in the BUCS Western 1A League, with the 3rd team playing in BUCS Western 2A League.

Marcus Dowdeswell studies Business Studies with Finance at Bournemouth University, and is Captain of the Men’s 1st Football team. He said, “The boys showed great commitment and character to win their respective leagues on the last game of the season. We have a strong squad, with strength throughout and I believe this is what allowed us to achieve what we did this season.”

Marcus continued, “There is a great spirit and will to succeed amongst the players and each member of the squad contributed to the success of BUFC. There are a number of final year students, including myself, within the squad and therefore the title deciding games were our last games for Bournemouth University FC, and this success concluded a great three years of university football for Bournemouth.”

Steve Cuss, Head of AFC Bournemouth’s Community Sports Trust, works with BU’s football teams as varsity football coach, and said, “Congratulations to all the players on the achievement of a double promotion.  We have enjoyed working with the players on a weekly basis, the effort and commitment shown by all has very evident and the two winning teams are reward for the hard work of the players throughout the season”.

Steve’s contribution to the football teams’ success was also highlighted, as the continuing link between Bournemouth University and AFC Bournemouth provides an opportunity for students to receive a professional level of coaching during their time at university.

BU TV Production graduate wins Royal Television Society Award

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A Bournemouth University TV Production graduate has won a prestigious Royal Television Society (RTS) Award.

Beth Lamont won the Best Entertainment RTS Southern Student Award, for a cookery programme she created in her third year of the BA (Hons) Television Production course at BU.

The show, Mini Munchies, is targeted at pre-school children and their parents, and aims to encourage them to cook and eat healthily.

It features a mother and daughter making a vegetarian pizza together and is also narrated by a child.

“It was a huge surprise to have been nominated, let alone to take home the award, particularly given the great work of my fellow nominees,” said Beth, who graduated from BU in 2013.

“I’m delighted to have won and the film has already opened doors for me by helping me secure an internship at Disney this year, which has so far been a brilliant first step in to the industry.

“I’d like to extend my gratitude, again, to the crew and cast who share this award with me.”

The RTS Southern awards, which took place at Winchester Guildhall on 21st February, celebrate the best in television talent in the South and highlight the quality of content produced by the region.

Bournemouth University graduates had been shortlisted in all of the student categories – with Ben Witt also nominated in the Best Entertainment category; Gulliver Moore for Best Fiction; and, in the Best Factual category, Matt Cotton.

Nick Bamford, Programme Leader of the BA (Hons) Television Production degree course at BU, said that the team were proud of all the graduates who were shortlisted for this year’s awards.

“The staff who teach on BA TV Production are thrilled to see such a good representation of our graduates’ work in the RTS awards,” he added.

“It’s a fitting testament to the creativity and hard work of our students, and a shining example to those who follow them of what they can aspire to.”

iBU keeps getting better

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iBUsparkles (2)With the new semester starting and the National Student Survey (NSS) now in full swing for final year students, iBU has been updated to include a new NSS function that will allow you to complete the survey wherever you are*. As well as completing the survey you can view a video all about the NSS and  follow the continuing adventures of NeSSa the Camel on Facebook and Twitter.

A new semester may also mean changes to your timetable – to make sure that you are up to date, don’t forget to refresh your timetable when in iBU by swiping your finger down on the screen.

Coming soon… iBU is also continuing to grow with the planned release of an improved buses function that will let you know when the next university bus is due.

If you have any further questions or comments about iBU or would like to be part of the beta testers group then contact Stuart Claw.

*Internet connectivity is required to complete the survey.

BU TV Production graduates up for prestigious industry awards

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A number of recent graduates from BU’s BA (Hons) Television Production course have been shortlisted in the prestigious Royal Television Society (RTS) Student Awards.

Four BU 2013 graduates have been nominated in the Best Factual, Best Entertainment and Best Fictional categories for the RTS Southern awards, which take place at Winchester Guildhall on 21st February.

The Awards celebrate the best in emerging talent in the South, and highlights the quality of content produced by the region’s students.

Beth Lamont and Ben Witt have been shortlisted in the Best Entertainment Category – Beth for children’s cookery show Mini Munchies and Ben for music video, Letting You Go, which features two ‘flycycle’ enthusiasts, separated when one of their bikes breaks down.

Ben said: “The only way for them to be reunited is to hunt down the rare replacement light bulbs that power the bike. It’s quite a surreal, fun film that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

“It feels great to be shortlisted for an RTS Award and it’s testament to the amazingly talented cast and crew that helped bring the project alive.”

Beth’s Mini Munchies programme is aimed at pre-school children and shows a mother and daughter cooking together.

“Similar to a parent hiding veggies in their kid’s mashed potatoes, I tried to sneak some basic cookery and nutritional education into a (hopefully) entertaining piece that encourages families to swap the Wii for a wok,” she said.

“It’s a real honour for Mini Munchies to have been recognised by such a well-regarded institution, especially as the film was such great fun to shoot and edit alongside the cast and crew. The shortlisting is a credit to all who worked so hard on it.”

Matt Cotton has been shortlisted in the Best Factual category, for his documentary Stitch by Stitch, which shows how women in rural Kenya have been empowered by working for a grass-roots business called Kenana Knitters.

Matt, who went out to Kenya to work on the film with fellow student Oliver Clubb, said: “I was motivated to make this film as I’m really passionate about social justice.

“My mother grew up in Kenya, and I have visited multiple times. This is how I knew about the Kenana Knitters, the grass roots business that the film is immersed in.

“It’s great to be nominated for the award, mainly due to the fact that people will get to watch the film.”

Another 2013 BATV graduate Gulliver Moore has been shortlisted in the Best Fiction category for film Walking Against the Wind, a surreal fantasy drama set and partially shot in Paris.

“The story follows a young boy’s struggle as his parents refuse to communicate with him in any way but mime,” said Gulliver.

“His rebellion against their lifestyle leads him on a journey to discover what is really important in life.”

Gulliver added that it was “wonderful” to be shortlisted for an RTS Student Award.

“That the film has been recognised by the RTS is a credit to the immensely talented and dedicated team of people involved in the project.”

Nick Bamford, Programme Leader of the BA (Hons) Television Production degree course at BU, said that the team were proud of all the graduates who have been shortlisted for this year’s awards.

“The staff who teach on BA TV Production are thrilled to see such a good representation of our graduates’ work in the RTS awards.

“It’s a fitting testament to the creativity and hard work of our students, and a shining example to those who follow them of what they can aspire to.”

“We offer all nominees our very best wishes and very much hope we will also be seeing some winners.”

Paid internship for student winner of New Media Writing Prize

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Students who enter the New Media Writing Prize could win a three month paid internship at a top e-company, worth £3,000.

The international competition showcases story-telling specifically created to be accessed through new media devices, such as computers, hand-held tablets and mobile phones.

Entries could be anything from a short story, novel, documentary or poem using words, images, film or animation with audience interaction.

The competition is run by BU’s Media School and has a specific student category, with a prize of a 3 month paid internship at Bournemouth-based e-company Unicorn Training – worth £3,000.

Competition organiser, James Pope, said: “This competition attracts the best innovative writing from around the world, and is truly breaking new ground.

“Each year we see terrific work that showcases new-media as the future of storytelling.”

There will also be an overall winner, who will receive a £1,000 prize donated by if:book UK and a People’s Choice winner, chosen by readers through an online vote, who will receive £250.

Winning entries will be published on new media web-hub, The Literary Platform, the Bournemouth University website and will be showcased at the Awards Ceremony, which takes place on January 22.

Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges including Joanna Ellis, Associate Director at The Literary Platform, Chris Meade, writer and founder of if:book UK and Dan Franklin, Digital Publisher at the Random House Group in the UK.

Dan said: “I’m delighted to be involved with the judging of the New Media Writing Prize again this year: it respects the fact that media is converging, authors are adopting new skills, and writing is changing.”

The competition also aims to provoke discussion and raise awareness of new media writing, the future of the written word and storytelling.

The awards ceremony, which is free to attend and open to all, takes place at BU’s Talbot Campus from 6.30pm on 22 January and will feature talks from leading new media authors.

The closing date for student entries to the New Media Writing Prize is Friday December 13 at 12 noon GMT. Each entry should be submitted by email to submissions@newmediawritingprize.co.uk.

To see previous winners and for more information about the awards visit the New Media Writing Prize website.

Book a free place at the New Media Writing Prize awards ceremony.

House Hunting – BU Letting Service Advice

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Calling all students! If you are looking for housing for 2014/15 then we’d recommend you wait until the new year to start your search. Properties will be advertised from November onwards but there is usually more to choose from in the new year. Please don’t believe the rumours that all the best houses go first!
We do however recommend that you start doing your research now though. You will be better prepared and have all the info you need when you do begin your search. It’s worth looking at what fees you will be charged by each of the agents as the fees do vary quite considerably.

Did you also know that the University has its own letting agency? As we are part of the University we can offer you the lowest admin costs in Bournemouth that we are aware of and which also includes a personal possessions insurance policy with that fee. Over the last 6 years we have built up an excellent reputation and can now offer a number of varied properties for your continuing years of study. We are now the sole recommended letting agent of SUBU which is something that we are proud of.

The BU Letting Service will be happy to answer any questions you may have about renting accommodation in the private sector. When the time is right we can book you viewings for the houses that you have an interest in. We will take you to see these properties and when you find a house you like we will go through all of the paperwork with you. A University staff member has seen all of the houses that we are advertising and therefore you can be assured that if we know of any continued issues with them we wouldn’t be advertising them! And remember, the fees we charge are the lowest we would expect you to find when compared to our competition.

We have an office based in Melbury House on Lansdowne Campus so you are free to come in and see us or you can check out our website.

We wish you luck with your studies this year and look forward to helping you find next year’s Accommodation when you are ready to start looking.

BU student saving money in the Mail on Sunday

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By Dean Eastmond

Students take note, being careful with your money really does pay off!

Fourth Year Advertising and Marketing Communications student, Garry Hendry, featured in The Mail on Sunday talking about how, by budgeting and performing a few sneaky tips and tricks, issues with finance are few and far between.

One of his tricks was moving £1,000 from his fee-free overdraft account into a tax-free ISA account; saving himself £19 just for moving his money around.

“It’s only £19 extra a year”, he added. “But in perspective that is a week’s food. It’s a trick for only the financially disciplined student”.

Another one of his tips was using cashback deals through TopCashBack, by using big brand online shops, he earns cashback on his purchase.

Hendry explains how he’s saved £500 over three years at Bournemouth University.

“Some of my cash back I use to offset the cost of monthly bills but most goes into a rainy-days saving account for the future”, Garry explains after receiving £80 and £120 pay-outs for switching his broadband and making the most of promotional offers such as Orange’s “Orange Wednesdays”.

“Every penny counts when you’re a student,” said Garry, showing that being careful with your money can help to make your time at university more manageable.

Dean is a student at Budmouth College in Weymouth, who is working at Bournemouth University in the Press and PR Department. He joined BU on a Sir Samuel Mico Scholarship, which provides 10 students from his college with essential work experience for four weeks over the summer.