Amy Roberts is in the final year of her USC Communications degree but is already shining bright in her future career, after recently taking home the Best Student Campaign in the Social Media Marketing Awards for Australia and New Zealand.

Amy, who is majoring in Public Relations and minoring in Social Media and Advertising, was recognised at the awards for the impactful storytelling campaign she designed for the Australian Starlight Children’s Foundation.

“The campaign included sharing stories of adolescent friendships formed throughout both Australia and New Zealand using a safe and supportive environment,” Amy said.

“The idea was then that the foundation would help the two friends meet in person for the first time, documenting the emotional moment to share with audiences online.

“I believe that the level of impact from storytelling campaigns is defined by the emotional connection you can make with the audiences.

“I’d love to see my campaign idea become a reality with the help of the incredible supporters of the foundation.”

Amy was named a finalist alongside two fellow USC Social Media students, Kirsty O’Callaghan and Cinty Buxton.

USC's Dr Karen Sutherland was also acknowledged, named as a finalist in the Best Social Media Educator Award. She was formally recognised at the awards evening for her work as the Academic Ambassador for the Social Media Marketing Institute.

“The Social Media Marketing Awards include marketers from all over Australia and New Zealand and this was the first year that USC entered the awards,” Dr Sutherland said.

“This level of recognition is a testament to the quality of social media education that we are delivering at USC,” she said.