Rowan website redesign team triumphs in international competitions

In competitions against both academic and corporate teams, the Rowan University Office of Strategic Planning and Management (SPM) has picked up gold and silver awards for its work in redesigning the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (RowanSOM) website.

In February, the Rowan SPM team was recognized as a 2019 AVA Digital Awards Gold Winner in the Website Redesign category. The AVA Digital Awards is a competition sponsored and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals and recognizes outstanding achievement by creative professionals who are involved in evolutionary concepts, direction, design and production of digital communications. The Rowan SPM team’s entry was one of 2,500 submissions that included, among others, Michigan State University, Temple University, Coca-Cola, IKEA, Ford Motor Company and the Atlanta Falcons National Football League team.

Taking home gold and silver awards

Earlier this month, the Rowan SPM team won a Gold Award in the School/University Website category and a Silver Award in the Advertising – Integrated category during the 2018 Horizon Interactive Awards, an international competition that recognizes, promotes and awards the best websites, videos, online advertising, print media and mobile applications across the globe. Other award winners in these categories included Drexel University, Hong Kong Design, Tomas Bata University (Czech Republic), Aetna Direct, Ontario City and the Brazilian aerospace conglomerate Embraer.

“The redesign of the RowanSOM website was a huge and complex undertaking, so it is gratifying to see our team recognized for such prestigious awards,” said Dr. Rihab Saadeddine, Director of Rowan SPM. “This is particularly true considering that the majority of winning entries were created by digital marketing and advertising agencies.”

Other prominent Horizon Interactive Award winners include New Balance, MLS Players Association, Xfinity, Mitsubishi, Harley Davidson and ExxonMobile. An international panel of 20 experts judged the more than 800 contest entries on user experience, design, creativity, technical modernity, messaging and effectiveness.

The goal of the RowanSOM website redesign project, led by Michele Gallagher and Amanda Ciavarella, was to amplify the medical school’s brand and enhance user experience by modernizing and streamlining the site. The new digital space features bright, high-quality photography, user-friendly customer journeys and messaging that focuses on the school’s holistic “Mind, Body, Spirit” approach to medical education. 

RowanSOM Website Redesign Team

Amanda Ciavarella, Digital Strategy

Michele Gallagher, Content Strategy

Harriet Whitlock, Web Development

David Coltri, Web Development

Frank Troiani, Web Development

Rory Grossman, IA/UX Strategy

Carol Primas-Young, Project Management

Cristin Farney, Internal Review

Jen Green, Internal Review

Kyle Corrigan, Additional Support

Josh Grochowski, Additional Support

Rihab Saadeddine, Ed.D., Director, Rowan SPM

Phil Mesisca, COO, RowanSOM