OU Daily earns 4 honors in national college media advertising competition

OU Daily earned four honors in the 53rd annual national advertising competition hosted by College Media Business and Advertising Managers.

During the CMBAM conference at Fullerton, California, on Saturday, Nov. 8, it was announced that OU Daily staff won second place for its special sections, the Election Guide and Graduation Guide. Special sections from Cherry Creative at Western Kentucky University earned top honors while State News Media Group at Michigan State University finished third.

OU Daily staffers also won individual awards – first place for best social media promotion and second place for outdoor promotion and sponsored content.

Gina Smith, who designed a series of social media ads for Pickleman’s Gourmet Café on Campus Corner, placed first in best social media promotion.

Terry Chanda Chishimba, who also has won honors the past two years, placed second in best outdoor promotion for the OU Daily “Know Sooner” digital billboard that ran on Interstate 35.

Cale Childs placed second in best sponsored content for a video featuring OU spring powwow sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs. The award is the first honor for the newly launched OU Daily creative services staff.

Smith, who graduated in May and is now the advertising coordinator for The Norman Transcript, said the Daily helped her grow as a designer.

“The Daily was my first real design job, and it gave me real-world experience and the confidence to do what I do today. I’m incredibly proud of those designs, and it’s rewarding to see my work reach such a wide audience.”

Read full list of 2025 CMBAM winners.

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