Florida State University School of Communication alumna Samantha Strickland was awarded an Emmy® from the Suncoast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in the Commercials category on Nov. 23 in Hollywood, Fla., for her work on Community South Credit Union’s brand video “Fish for the Future.”

“This project represents the future of marketing: branded entertainment,” Strickland said. “Our goal is engage audiences through the heart and mind.”

Strickland, who earned her Bachelor’s degree in 1996 and Master’s degree in 1999 from Florida State, is the CEO of The Pod Advertising, a full-service marketing firm located in Tallahassee. She served as the executive producer of the 90-second video for the financial institution in Northwest Florida.

“As a proud FSU alum, this Emmy win is especially significant because the team was made up of fellow Seminoles who share a passion for storytelling,” Strickland said.

Strickland’s team was comprised of several Florida State graduates, including Kristin
 Bass-Petersen, who earned a Master’s degree in Media and Communication
 Studies in 2010. Bass-Petersen, who was the director of the video, is also an adjunct instructor of media production at the School of Communication. In addition, the producer, Deirdre Morales, teaches screenwriting at the School.

The Pod produced over 100 videos for clients of all sizes over the last year, including “Fish for the Future”, which was also nationally recognized as the Best Business-to-Consumer Spot by Spot Trender and Reel SEO over the summer.

Watch “Fish for the Future” at http://bit.ly/CSCUFish.