PERTH COLLEGE is celebrating after scooping four prizes at the Scotland’s Colleges Marketing Awards 2008.

Among them was the top prize—the overall Grand Prix—while there were gold awards for best integrated marketing campaign and 2008 education marketing newcomer and a silver in the best market research category.

The awards ceremony was held at the Westerwood Hotel near Glasgow and included a gala dinner hosted by lawyer, writer and broadcaster Austin Lafferty.

Now in their 10th year, the awards aim to recognise creativity, innovation and celebrate success of marketing professionals in Scotland’s colleges.

Perth College’s gold award for best integrated marketing campaign recognised the success of its June and August open days.

The events encouraged prospective students from all backgrounds to think about coming to college and as a result, the college saw an increase in applications.

A second gold award, in the education marketing newcomer category, went to the college’s marketing manager Laila Hirschfeld.

Ms Hirschfeld joined the college in October 2006 and has worked with her team to implement a new marketing strategy, which includes a new brand identity and new campaign images.

The team are working on a number of projects, including a redesign of the college’s website.

The silver award success for best market research was driven by market intelligence manager Margaret Antonson.

The entry was based on Perth College’s innovative market segmentation research, which allows the marketing team to specifically target certain types of customers.

The final surprise of the night came in the form of the “grand prix,” which recognises the best entry in all nine categories and is given for the best integrated marketing campaign.

Ms Hirschfeld said, “As marketers it’s often difficult to measure the impact your work has, which is why I think these awards mean so much to us.”

Perth College principal Mandy Exley added, “The achievement of these awards reflects the hard work of the marketing team at Perth College.

“I would like to congratulate those who made this possible.”