Campaign shines light on University of Wolverhampton alumni

The University of Wolverhampton has launched a new advertising campaign to showcase and celebrate the worldwide achievements of some of its most amazing alumni.

High achievers from the world of literature, business, sport, film and the arts are featured as the University acknowledges some of its inspiring former students, including a New York Times bestselling author and a visual effects specialist with Oscar winning pedigree.

The ‘Every Story has a Start’ campaign profiles half a dozen alumni, who explain how their lives and careers have flourished since their time at the University.

The campaign is being brought to life through an advertising campaign on sites around Wolverhampton and the West Midlands, including train stations, bus stops and billboards, as well as through social media.

West Midlands based creative agency, 8848 Communications successfully pitched for the campaign, with two of the project team also being University of Wolverhampton Alumni.

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The first three campaign stories feature prominent author Abi Daré, multi-award-winning visual effects specialist Manolo Mantero and Deana Uppal, an entrepreneur and philanthropist.

A further three inspirational alumni will share their achievements later in the year.

Professor Ebrahim Adia, Vice-Chancellor at the University, said: “We are a University proudly rooted in our local and regional community offering opportunity to all, regardless of background. That spirit of social mobility and transformation equips our graduates with the skills and attributes to succeed in their lives and careers and enables them to contribute to the creation of a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable society.

“This campaign really does capture the amazing achievements of some of our more graduates. It’s amazing to see that every single one of these stories started right here in Wolverhampton.”

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David Wedge, Deputy Head of Alumni Relations at the University of Wolverhampton, said the University is always looking for ways to celebrate its students’ successes while inspiring the next generation to be ambitious.

He said: “Every Story has a Start shines a light on some of the University’s most exciting and unique alumni. We keep in touch with many of our graduates and follow their careers, celebrating their successes in Wolverhampton and around the world. It’s incredible to hear their stories and learn about everything they’ve achieved.

“To hear our alumni talk in-depth about their journeys – and the role the University played in laying the foundations of their success – is inspiring.

“After graduating, Abi, Manolo and Deana have gone on to achieve remarkable things around the world which they perhaps never imagined possible when they first walked through our doors. Speaking to them today, it’s clear that they firmly believe the skills they developed at our University played a big role in their careers.

“The message from all of the featured alumni is clear: work hard and dream big and anything is possible. That’s the belief we want to instil in people as they consider their futures and choose their universities.”

Abi Daré studied law at the University of Wolverhampton. Her debut novel The Girl with the Louding Voice was published in 2020 to critical acclaim and became a New York Times Bestseller, while she was also included in The Observer’s list of 10 Best Debut Novelists in the same year.

Manolo Mantero, from Spain, graduated from the University of Wolverhampton with a degree in Computer Graphics and Fine Art. Today he is a special visual effects leader with 20 years’ experience in the industry.

He received a Primetime Emmy Award Nomination for his work on Netflix’s Stranger Things Season 4 and also featured on the highly acclaimed Dune, which won an Oscar and a Bafta for Best Visual Effects.

Deana Uppal has launched numerous successful businesses in the UK and overseas and runs the award-winning charity, the DKU Kindness Diaries Charitable Trust, which helps poverty-stricken children in India.

The former Big Brother contestant and Miss India UK champion has also turned her hand to filmmaking and her documentary India’s Forgotten People is featured on Netflix.

For enquiries regarding alumni events or to share news, contact the alumni team at [email protected]