KENNESAW, Ga. | Jun 10, 2021

It’s not every communications intern who arrives at their first day of work with 28 years’ experience. For the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) and then-Kennesaw State University graduate student and intern Justin Webb, their collaboration resulted in three national video awards.

Videos that Webb produced last year during his DECAL internship recently earned two 2021 silver Telly Awards and one bronze award. The New York-based Tellys were launched in 1979 to recognize top television commercials, but now spotlight worthy video used on any platform.

Webb graduated last year with a Master of Arts in Integrated Global Communication (MAIGC). He has worked as a freelance video producer since 1993 and wanted to earn a graduate degree as a step into teaching video production.

“We’re proud that Justin’s work earned this recognition. It’s a tribute to his talent and the hard work he put in while he was pursuing his master’s degree at KSU,” said Joshua Azriel, professor of communication and associate director of graduate studies and development.

Webb said he is grateful for the internship with DECAL and the opportunities it afforded. The role came about after an internship he was supposed to serve in Italy fell through because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I was really excited about it,” Webb said. “I got to work in a state organization that was reaching out to kids over the summer and I was able to turn that into some compelling videos.”

Winning a silver Telly in the People’s Choice, non-broadcast category was a video Webb produced about the success of an emergency meals program started in Burke County, Georgia in response to the pandemic. The other two — one a People's Choice Telly award — were for the Summer Meals 4 Kids in Georgia Awareness Week: July 13-17, 2020 virtual conference. 

Webb, who lives in Kennesaw, became the fourth and most recent member of his family to earn a degree from Kennesaw State. His wife and two of their children are KSU graduates, he said.

– Gary Tanner

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 45,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.