From the Nominator

In 2023, a new, first-of-its-kind Colorado State University (CSU) Alumni Association partnership was launched with Odell Brewing Company’s OBC Wine Project. The partnership resulted in CAM’s Wine Club, featuring locally made wine that celebrates a deep connection to Fort Collins and CSU. The series offers pickup and shipment options; a limited-edition CSU bottle (only available via the club); and two allocations a year, offered first to CSU alumni (allocations are a three-bottle minimum, one limited-edition CSU bottle and two OBC bottles).  The schedule of releases includes the following: CAM’s Club Cabernet Sauvignon, released spring 2023; CAM’s Club Syrah, released fall 2023; and CAM’s Club Malbec (in production Dec. 2023, for anticipated release in spring 2024). In its inaugural year, out of the 300 Cam’s Club memberships available annually, the alumni association has secured 79 club members. Twenty percent of revenue from the program goes to the alumni association. As of March 5, 2024, approximately $3,285 has been raised for the CSU Alumni Association. CAM's Club has been gifted to loyal donors, Distinguished Alumni Award recipients, business partners, top volunteers, and other alumni and friends. We have moved from offering only club memberships to single-bottle sales, which will increase revenue, access, and visibility.

From the Judges

The clever design of this piece produced a unique look and feel with appealing and cohesive color selection. The colors were fun and on trend but not childish. Of particular note was the partnership with the winery.  It was instructive to read about the process, from research and concept to finished design. The care taken to describe the process would be helpful to other institutions considering a similar project. We also liked that they shared several concepts that didn't make it to the final selection, drawing our attention to an iterative approach that realized a strong final piece. Clearly, top notch in-house artists and designers were used, and a generous partner covered the cost of printing the labels.