Members of Kent State University's winning teams celebrate
their ADDY awards from the 2013 Akron ADDY Awards.

Four Kent State University creative groups won awards at the 2013 Akron ADDY Award competition. The competition was hosted by the American Advertising Federation-Akron (AAF-Akron). Kent State’s University Communications and Marketing department; The Tannery, the student run creative agency and integrated marketing firm of the College of Communication and Information; and Glyphix, the student design and illustration studio within the School of Visual Communication Design, all received multiple awards. University Communications and Marketing won five awards, including two Gold ADDYs. The Tannery won two ADDYs, including one Gold, and Glyphix won four Silver ADDYs. In addition, The Burr, a student-run magazine, won a Silver ADDY. Winners of the awards include a mix of faculty, staff and students.

Also, Kent State student Ryan Sprowl entered a project that he and Kent State student Kimberly Smolkowicz made together under the Student Category and won a Gold ADDY and the People's Choice Award.

The AAF-Akron is the local chapter for the national AAF Trade Association. The trade association recognizes incredible creativity, writing, design and project management in all forms of advertising across various types of media. There are three levels of the AAF’s ADDY Awards competition — local, district and national.

Dan Karp, executive director of creative services at University Communications and Marketing, believes it is very important to share these awards with the schools and groups that the department does creative work for.

“These university departments share their creativity and input throughout the entire process,” says Karp. “They should share this award with us.”

Many of the University Communications and Marketing ADDY winners are no strangers to the award, but this is Graphic Designer Jason Zehner’s first ADDY. Zehner had a hand in each University Communications and Marketing winning project this year.

“I was surprised,” says Zehner. “It felt great to have my work recognized.”

The Tannery is also new to the ADDY scene. The Tannery opened just a few years ago, and this was its first year competing in the Akron ADDY Awards. Evan Bailey, Tannery operations manager, says he was very pleased with the outcome.

“It was very exciting to be recognized alongside the area’s best marketing and advertising firms,” says Bailey. “When we found out we won a Gold ADDY in the professional category, we were especially thrilled.”

Assistant Professor Valora Renicker, the creative director for Glyphix, was also happy with the studio’s accomplishments.

“Regardless of whether they are awarded to students or practicing professionals, the ADDY Awards are a well-respected competition in the advertising, marketing and design community,” says Renicker.

The Burr received a Student ADDY in the Collateral Material category. The magazine won silver for its publication design of the Spring 2012, Issue 1 cover.

“It is our goal to ensure The Burr remains a standard of excellence in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication,” says Anthony Dominic, editor-in-chief of The Burr. “This award is not only a reminder that our students are succeeding at that, but it’s an inspiration to continue in our efforts.”

All of the Gold ADDY winners will advance to the regional competition. From there, any winners have a chance to win a national award.

Akron ADDY Award winners from Kent State are:

University Communications and Marketing
Gold ADDY
Title IX Sexual Assault Response Team Poster

Phil Soencksen – Writer
Jason Zehner – Designer
Kevin Brosien – Account Executive
Dan Karp – Creative Director
Jody Kovolyan – Project Coordinator
Susan Menassa – Editor

Judge's Choice Award
Title IX Sexual Assault Response Team Poster

Phil Soencksen – Writer
Jason Zehner – Designer
Kevin Brosien – Account Executive
Dan Karp – Creative Director
Jody Kovolyan – Project Coordinator
Susan Menassa – Editor

Gold ADDY, Best of Printing and Judge’s Choice Award
Advertising for the Arts and Sciences
Mobius Fashion Show Book (Three Awards)

Jason Zehner – Designer
Liz Henry – Account Executive
Dan Karp – Creative Director
Jody Kovolyan – Project Coordinator
Ramona Stamm – Editor
Oliver Printing - Printer

The Tannery
Gold ADDY Award
Advertising for the Arts and Sciences
Curriculum Brochure:

Brian Buirge - Creative Director
Jordan Kasten - Krause, Art Director
Alyssa DeGeorge - Art Director
Farin Blackburn - Art Director

Silver ADDY Award
Advertising for the Arts and Sciences
College of Communication and Information 10th Anniversary brochure

Brian Buirge - Creative Director
Flannery Haas - Art Director
Nate Cordwell - Art Director

Glyphix
Three Silver ADDYs
Public Service
Traveling Stanzas Bus Posters:

Lindsay Alberts
Benjamin Durflinger
Bridget Elchert
Blake Ferguson
Casey Sandala
Devon Skunta-Helmink
Kimberly Smolkowicz
Ryan Sprowl
Ivan Sugarman
Jason Tiberio
Cody Wallis
Terran Washington

Silver ADDY for Logo Design
Elements of Advertising
Fruit Grower's Association, EverCrisp Apple Logo:

Jason Tiberio - Designer
Ryan Sprowl - Designer
Diego Brito Telles – Designer

The Burr
Student ADDY Categories
Publication Design of Cover
The Burr Magazine, Spring 2012, Issue 1

Anthony Dominic- Editor-in-chief
Kelly Lipovich - Art Director
Thomas Song - Photo Editor

Kent State Students (Individual Submission)
Student Gold ADDY and People’s Choice Award
Student ADDY Categories
2013 Letterpress Calendar

Ryan Sprowl
Kimberly Smolkowicz