Top marks at the South Bank University

999 Design, has been appointed to develop London South Bank University's student marketing communications for 2008/09.

The new account win, which followed a four-way pitch, comes on the back of the agency's commission to produce its third annual report for Digital UK - the independent organisation tasked with communicating and implementing the switch to digital TV across the country.

999's London office will lead on both creative briefs and has already begun designing the university's 72-page student handbook, which will be published in June targeted at existing and prospective students.

Additional key projects will include the design of seasonal recruitment marketing material and associated leaflets, posters and merchandise.

As part of the design brief, 999 has been tasked with developing a cohesive 'family' of student marketing materials, which will serve to strengthen awareness of the university's brand identity, and ensure they stand out in the UK's highly competitive higher education market.

Student Marketing Officer at London South Bank University, Xanthe Lewendon, said: 'As one of London's largest universities, we are proud to be part of the city and of our diverse, multi-cultural population of more than 23,500 students.

'In appointing 999, we felt their creative approach best reflected those aspects of our personality and the university's core values as a whole. Their ideas are original, vibrant and will communicate information to potential and current students in a way that we hope will leave them with a favourable impression of studying at LSBU.'

In addition to working with the university, 999 London will continue to work with Digital UK on the publication of its latest annual report.

Switchover began last October in Whitehaven, Cumbria, and the coming months will be key to ensuring the good progress made in the early stages of the programme's rollout continues.

Managing director of 999 London, Aileen Geraghty, says her agency aims to build on the success of last year's report â€" which won a coveted print award at the McNaughton Review earlier this year â€" by creating an informative, eye-catching design, which again plays on the successful 'We Love TV' theme created by 999 for Digital UK.

Additionally, 999 will continue to be responsible for the design and production of general communication materials and retail point-of-sale across the UK.