Kent State Wins at the 2013 Akron ADDY Awards

Four Kent State University creative groups won awards at the 2013 Akron ADDY Awards. The competition was hosted by American Advertising Federation-Akron. Kent State’s University Communication and Marketing; 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 with the School of Visual Communication Design, all received multiple awards. University Communications and Marketing won five awards, including two Gold ADDYs and two Judge’s Choice awards. The Tannery won two ADDYs, including one Gold ADDY, and Glyphix won four ADDYs. In addition, The Burr, a student-run magazine, won a Silver ADDY. Winners of the awards include a mix of faculty and students.

Kent State student Ryan Sprowl also 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 mediums. The AAF’s ADDY Awards Competition provides three levels, including local, district and national.

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

“They share their creativity and input throughout the entire process,” Karp said. “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,” Zehner said. “It felt great to have my work recognized.”

The Tannery is also relatively new to the ADDY scene. It opened just a few years ago. 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,” Bailey said. “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 students or practicing professionals, the ADDY Awards are a well-respected competition in the advertising, marketing and design community,” Renicker said.

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,” said 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. Those results will not be disclosed for several more months.

Here is a complete list of 2013 Akron ADDY Award winners from Kent State:

University Communications and Marketing

GOLD ADDY AWARD and JUDGE’S CHOICE AWARD (2 Total Awards):
Public Service – Poster
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
Ramona Stamm – Editor

GOLD ADDY AWARD, BEST OF PRINTING and JUDGE’S CHOICE AWARD (3 Total Awards):
Advertising for the Arts and Sciences – Collateral Brochure/Sales Kit
Mobius Fashion Show Guide
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 – Collateral Brochure/Sales Kit
Curriculum Brochure for Kent State’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design
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 – Cards, Invitations or Announcements
Kent State’s College of Communication and Information 10th Anniversary Announcement
Brian Buirge – Creative Director
Flannery Haas – Art Director
Nate Cordwell – Art Director

Glyphix

3 SILVER ADDY AWARDS:
Public Service, Single Medium Campaign
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 AWARD:
Elements of Advertising – Logo
Fruit Growers Association, EverCrisp Apple Logo
Jason Tiberio – Designer
Ryan Sprowl – Designer
Diego Brito Telles – Designer

The Burr

SILVER ADDY AWARD:
Student ADDYs Category – 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 Student (Individual Submission)

GOLD ADDY AWARD and PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD:
Student ADDYs Category – Poster
2013 Letterpress Calendar
Ryan Sprowl
Kimberly Smolkowicz

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Photo Caption:
A group of Kent State University employees and students pose for a picture with the awards they won at the 2013 Akron ADDY Awards. (Photo provided by the Akron ADDY Awards)

Media Contact:
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595