Best of CASE Europe Region Award
 

Institution: The University of Manchester

Title of entry: The University of Manchester Magazine 2022

About this entry: The University of Manchester magazine is an annual publication produced to engage with our 500,000+ alumni community across the world. Our 2022 theme was ‘impact’, celebrating how current staff, students and alumni embody the University's key values of knowledge, wisdom, and humanity, and channel them into progressive, future-shaping work. The magazine is aligned with the wider goals and themes of the University’s strategic plan: research, teaching, and social responsibility.

Working across multidisciplinary teams, including Alumni Relations, Design, and Content, we sourced unique stories, conducted interviews and brought to light the inspiring people and experiences that give our institution its global reputation. The magazine was commended by recipients for its innovative approach to storytelling, striking design and high-quality content, shining a spotlight on some of our most impactful exports. After the magazine landed on the doorsteps of 80,000 Manchester alumni across the globe, the publication was praised for its "unique and engaging subject matter", "eye opening content" and success in helping graduates feel connected to our University, wherever they are in the world. The calls-to-action included also led to a significant increase in legacy enquiries and donations from alumni, along with graduates getting in touch to update their personal details. The magazine was a conversation starter for fundraisers meeting with prospects – including major donors – who had read the content.

Our supplementary digitised version of the magazine was also successful in widening our audience base and giving students past and present an insight into how far the Manchester effect extends.