From the Nominator

Western Alumni Magazine represents a pivotal evolution in Western University’s storytelling and alumni engagement. As the university’s flagship public engagement publication, the magazine reflects Western’s transformative spirit, fosters meaningful connections, and inspires action among its alumni and broader stakeholders. In fall 2023, WAM underwent a comprehensive transformation to align with Western’s evolving brand and engage its global network of 340,000 alumni more deeply. Shifting from a traditional format, the magazine adopted a thematic, issue-driven approach, exploring critical topics like sustainability, healthcare, and social equity. This strategy highlights the collective impact of Western’s alumni, faculty, and staff, showcasing how they address complex global challenges. The redesign also introduced cutting-edge visuals and a conversational tone, creating a modern and engaging reader experience. A new targeted distribution model, informed by analytics and market research, ensures the magazine reaches the most relevant audiences, including alumni, donors, and institutional partners. The results have been transformative. Readers have praised WAM’s bold storytelling and visual innovation, with many expressing renewed pride and engagement with Western’s mission. Feedback indicates the magazine is successfully sparking conversations about Western’s global impact and inspiring advocacy. Through thoughtful storytelling, strategic outreach, and innovative design, WAM has become a cornerstone of Western’s communications strategy. It positions the university as a leader in addressing societal challenges, while deepening connections with its community and advancing its reputation for positive global impact.

From the Judges

Well-written, creative storytelling. Nice use of a variety of visual storytelling cues and good points of entry to invite readers in. Particular strengths include compelling cover design, an unexpected and inviting range of approaches to highlighting faculty work, and in-depth profiles with a clear point of view. Strong design with some interesting typographic choices that can challenge readers and are more reminiscent of design publications with a readership used to that kind of presentation.