15th June 1998

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Beginning today, the first television ad campaign commissioned by a university in Ireland hits TV screens north and south.

The University of Ulster's punchy, fast-moving ad has been designed to reinforce the institution's national and international reputation as an innovative educational and research centre.

The groundbreaking TV campaign airs for a three-week period on UTV and Channel 4, beginning on Monday 15 June, and will reach 96 percent of homes in Northern Ireland, according to audience research figures for slots booked. It will reach over 500,000 homes in Northern Ireland, plus a further 500,000 in the Republic of Ireland capable of receiving UTV and C4 signals.

Anderson Advertising, part of the Anderson Spratt Group, Ireland's largest communications business, produced the 40 second commercial. Anderson Advertising's Seamus McKenna said: "This is one of the most exciting projects I've ever worked on. This campaign is the first time any university in Ireland has used television to market its achievements in education, culture, scientific research and learning innovation - as well as its unique contribution to peace and progress here in Northern Ireland."

Prepared under the creative direction of Douglas Reid and Kirk Moffett at Anderson Advertising, the commercial features powerful images from, inter alia, the University's internationally recognised work in the fields of health sciences, the economy and community enterprise.

Brendan Kelleher, the University's Director of Communications, commissioned the pioneering campaign.

"A modern university is much more than a place where people come to study and obtain qualifications. We undertake a wide range of research and consultancy assignments and serve the community through initiatives in the fields of economic regeneration, health, peace and the environment. Today, we compete in a fierce marketplace with other universities, the further education sector - and indeed the private sector.

"The time has gone when universities simply put out their hands and were given a cheque from public funds to meet their needs. A large and increasing proportion of our income is generated from private sources by our work. This fresh, innovative and exciting television campaign is part of a 'hearts and minds' marketing and awareness campaign which will affirm the University of Ulster's commitment to Northern Ireland and consolidate our position as a leading educational and research centre for the new Millennium.

"We are," added Mr Kelleher, "the largest University on the island of Ireland, and make no apology for drawing attention to our achievements in providing world class education and research solutions to the problems faced by the community we serve."

The transmission times for Monday 15 June are:

1245 ITN News
1420 The Jerry Springer Show
1505 A Country Practice
1956 Coronation Street/World In Action
2215 News At Ten

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk