The University of Texas at Austin is introducing five new broadcast advertising spots, featuring the voice of world renowned opera star Barbara Conrad, in fall 2010.
The 30-second ads are broadcast during televised NCAA sporting events. The air time is provided to participating universities free of charge. Ads also are shown at sporting events on the university campus.
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Conrad has been one of the world’s most celebrated mezzo-sopranos over a long and distinguished career. A 1959 graduate of the university, she was at the center of a national civil rights controversy in 1957 when she was removed from the lead role in the opera “Dido and Aeneas” because she was cast opposite a white student who was the male lead. Conrad’s life is chronicled in the documentary “When I Rise: The Story of Barbara Smith Conrad,” produced by the university’s Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.
Four of the new spots extend a tone and concept introduced eight years ago in ads that featured the voice of the late Walter Cronkite, legendary broadcast journalist and university alumnus. Cronkite died in July 2009 at the age of 92. A fifth ad highlights the university’s “Hook ‘em, Horns” rallying cry. The images in the “Hook ‘em” ad were collected from Longhorns around the world who were engaged in the project through social media. All of the ads close with Conrad proclaiming the university’s well known and celebrated motto, “What Starts Here Changes the World.”
“Our previous ads focused on the university and its relationship to the creative community of Austin,” said Don Hale, vice president for public affairs. “Most of the new ads bring the viewer right to the university and display the beauty of the campus.”
The ads were produced by the offices of Public Affairs and Development. Original music was created by the Austin-based firm, Tequila Mockingbird.
Watch all five broadcast ads:
- It marks the passage of time. Serenades us. Offers up its halls for study. And though it stands 307 feet tall it can be seen around the world. The University of Texas at Austin. What starts here changes the world.
- It stands for higher learning. Opportunity. Discovery. Pride. Or to put it another way, The University of Texas at Austin. What starts here changes the world.
- How do you go about changing the world? You start with one molecule. One word. One brush stroke. One purpose. The University of Texas at Austin. What starts here changes the world.
- We could tell you about all the far-reaching work going on across campus. We could go on about our students and our mission to transform lives. But it’s not in our nature to brag. Unless, of course, it’s true. The University of Texas at Austin. What starts here changes the world.
- Across the globe, in places far and wide, we speak a language that unites, inspires and defines us. All with only three words: “Hook ‘em, Horns!” The University of Texas at Austin. What starts here changes the world.
Spanish versions of the five broadcast advertisements are also available below. The Spanish language spots feature the voice of Regina Rodriguez, anchor of Univision in Austin.
La Universidad de Tejas presenta cinco nuevos anuncions publicitarios para televisión narrados por Regina Rodríguez, presentadora de Univisión en Austin.
Mira otros anuncios publicitarios para televisión aquí:
- Marca el paso del tiempo. Nos da una serenata. Nos ofrece sus corredores para estudiar. Y aunque mide menos de cien metros del alto puede ser vista en todo el mundo La Universidad de Tejas en Austin. Lo que aquí empieza cambia el mundo.
- Equivale a educación superior. A oportunidad. A descubrimiento. A orgullo. O cicho de otra manero, La Universidad de Tejas en Austin. Lo que aquí empieza cambia el mundo.
- ¿Cómo se hace para cambiar el mundo? Se empieza con una molécula. Con una palabra. Una pincelada. Una meta. La Universidad de Tejas en Austin. Lo que aquí empieza cambia el mundo.
- Podríamos contarte acerca del gran trabajo que se hace en nuestro campus. Podríamos seguir contándote sobre nuestros estudiantes o sobre nuestra misión para transformar vidas. Sin embargo no nos gusta presumir. A menos que sea cierto. La Universidad de Tejas en Austin. Lo que aquí empieza cambia el mundo.
- En todo el mundo, incluso en los lugares más vastos y remotos, hablamos un mismo idioma que nos une, nos inspira y nos define. Lo decimos todo con tan sólo tres palabras: “Hook ‘em Horns!” La Universidad de Tejas en Austin. Lo que aquí empieza cambia el mundo.
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Well done! These spots define the essence that is The University of Texas at Austin. It is a priviledge and honor to be a UT graduate. I thought of Walter Cronkite as the voice of UT, but Ms.Barbara Conrad has added an eloquence of her own befitting the honor of representing our university.
[...] http://www.utexas.edu/know/2010/08/31/broadcast_advertisements/ [...]
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Michael Redding and Joseph Millares, Kyle Carpenter. Kyle Carpenter said: #UT debuts new commercials. Kronkite must be rolling over in his grave. They could've at least got the Whataburger guy. http://bit.ly/aV6ACk [...]
thats my nephew in that sonogram picture!!!
I think they should have just kept the old audio, and kept the same video theme (flying through Austin), just updated the video to represent the many new buildings in Austin and filmed it in HD.
I was a litte sad when the voice of Walter Cronkite was no longer thundering out of the tv but as I watched the video here and read Conrad's bio I was consumed by pride. It makes me very proud that UT chose and honored Conrad with this opportunity. It shows me that UT is making an effort to right the wrongs that have occured at UT because of race. Well done UT and well done Conrad. What starts here changes the world!
Getting rid of the Cronkite ads is a HUGE mistake. The guy is an icon, with an irreplaceable voice. The Cronkite ads send chills up my spine every time I see them. These new ads are mediocre at best. Please rethink this, or at least mix in the Cronkite ads too.
Please, please do not abandon the Cronkite spots!! He is a University icon whose voice must continue to resonate where Longhorns gather! GET YOUR HORNS UP!!
These are great! But where can I find the Walter Cronkite Ads? They were my favorite.
Please consider mixing these with the Cronkite ads. I always remember hearing the Cronkite ads even before I became a student at UT - they are iconic. At this year's Gone To Texas event they played one of Walter's ads and it made me feel even more proud to be a Texas Longhorn.
New ads: The "Hook 'em" is very engaging, the others are not. In today's technology, people tend to "look" more than "listen."
The "We're Texas" ads with Walter Cronkite appeared much more classy. These are not going to get the same response as the previous campaign. I think the university should continue to use the previous campaign in conjunction with the new one.
The Cronkite ads were so much better. I got chills every time I saw them. These new ads are completely boring. There's nothing exciting about looking at a cartoon depiction of the university.
Great ad. Gave me goosebumps!
Please play the Cronkite ads. They bring chills down my spine every time I see them. Also play them at the football games. We all were looking forward to the Cronkite commercial at the beginning of the 4th quarter.
These ads are not affective like the Walter Cronkite ads are. It sounds more powerful coming from such a world renowned voice as his. I also think that it would be a nice way to honor and remember him. Really, these don't do the university justice. Please bring back Cronkite.
I also prefer the Cronkite ads. They are iconic and one-of-a-kind in a way that the new ones don't match. These won't silence the crowd in DKR like the old ones did. Please consider mixing the old ones in with the new.
Keep the Cronkite ads.
Great ads. Love that Conrad's voice is used. It is symbolic of how far UT has come, especially with the first time ratio of more minority than white students on campus. Also, a woman's voice is nice especially since women are also entering college at higher rates than men.
Hook ‘em, Horns!
I like the strength and dignity of Ms. Conrad's delivery. And think the message comes thru loud and clear.
I've never heard about them.