Queen Margaret College has won the Video Campaign category at the 2026 educate+ Excellence Awards for the second consecutive year. QMC was one of only two New Zealand schools to receive an award at the Conference in Brisbane, which recognises educational advancement, marketing, admissions and communications throughout Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
The award-winning campaign, What Happens When She Wears the Crown?, was conceived, strategically developed and executed in-house by QMC’s Marketing and Communications team. It was designed to capture the essence of the Queen Margaret College experience through powerful storytelling, authentic student voices and a creative exploration of what becomes possible when girls are empowered to learn and lead.
At the heart of the campaign was a cinematic music video featuring 79 Queen Margaret College students and the College’s premier choir, Voces Luce. Together, they performed a specially arranged version of What Happens When a Woman? by American all-female trio Artemisia. The music video was directed and edited by acclaimed Aotearoa filmmaker Charlotte Evans, bringing the College’s creative vision together through music, film and meaningful student participation.
The campaign reached more than one million people and generated engagement that exceeded the College’s goals. Judges recognised its ability to stand out in a competitive educational marketplace through emotionally driven storytelling and a distinctive creative vision. This impact also translated into a strong return on the College’s investment.
More broadly, the campaign helped QMC strengthen its identity, renew community pride and develop a creative platform that has continued to shape how the College communicates the value and impact of girls’ education.
Learn more about the campaign here: What Happens When She Wears the Crown?
