Creative teams across 5X were honored with one gold and five silver awards at the Akron chapter of the 2015 American Advertising Federation’s 2015 ADDY Awards ceremony.
Kent State’s University Communications and Marketing team; IdeaBase, a student-run integrated marketing communications agency of the College of Communication and Information in downtown Kent; and Glyphix, a student-run design agency within the School of Visual Communication Design, took home awards.
Kent State’s University Communications and Marketing department won one gold and two silver ADDYs for work on the Fashion School Fashion Show campaign, School of Theatre and Dance Viewbook and the Fashion Book in the categories of brochures/sales kits and integrated campaigns.
“While we don’t do any of our work just to win awards, it’s nice to be recognized for the work that we do,” said Jason Zehner, senior graphic designer at University Communications and Marketing at Kent State. “It sort of gratifies us that our peers, our contemporaries, see what we do as worthwhile and effective and besides that just aesthetically pleasing.”
IdeaBase won a silver ADDY for its work on a College of Communication and Information campaign to invite alumni to visit Florence, Italy. The Florence Alumni Tour was an exclusive trip aimed at engaging alumni in the student study-abroad experience to secure donations for scholarships. The campaign used communication vehicles such as printed invitations, brochures, emails, a website and a video, all featuring student photography.
“Kent State and the College of Communication and Information teach professionalism in every one of our classes,” said Jennifer Kramer, director of public relations and marketing for the college. “For a professional organization to recognize the creative work of a Kent State campaign, I feel that it corroborates what we’re teaching and what we’re doing as professionals and educators.”
IdeaBase secured a silver ADDY for its work on the Kent State Athletics Year in Review website. The online annual report won for its responsive design, meaning that its design responds well for users on various platforms.
“The award validates the work we do here,” said Chris Hallahan, user experience designer at IdeaBase. “It shows that we can bring in lots of students with different backgrounds and skillsets, and they can pull together a successful, professional product.”
Glyphix received a silver ADDY for its work with Kent State’s School of Visual Communication Design on the school’s online alumni magazine. The magazine works to inform alumni about curriculum, maintain a connection with alumni and share general information about the school. Glyphix was honored for the submission of a full magazine.
“It’s nice to be recognized,” said Larrie King, creative director at Kent State’s Glyphix. “It is always a good time for everyone when you and your students get dressed up and celebrate something like this accomplishment.”
Competitors who won ADDYs have the opportunity to compete in the Fifth District American Advertising Awards Competition hosted by the American Advertising Federation of Louisville. Competitors who won gold ADDYs at the local level are automatically entered at the district level, and those who won silver ADDYs have the opportunity to pay a fee to be entered as well.
The following is a complete list of 2015 Kent State ADDY award winners:
Glyphix
Silver: Magazine design, entire magazine
School of Visual Communication Design Alumni Magazine
Larrie King, Creative Director
Jamie Lefevre, Designer
Kate Lingenfelter, Designer
Michael Reece, Photographer
Ruby Kelly, Contributing Designer
Jennifer Kramer, Copy Editor
Madeline Bensinger, Copywriter
Nicole Gennarelli, Copywriter
IdeaBase
Silver: 11D-Campaign
Florence Campaign
Larrie King, Creative Director
Alanah Timbrook, Graphic Designer
Christopher Hallahan, Interactive Designer/Developer
Silver: Responsive Design
Kent State Athletics Year in Review Website
Quintin Steele, Creative Director
Megan Johnson, Graphic Designer
Nico Ciani, Web Designer/ Developer
Brendan Bennett, Account Manager
Christopher Hallahan, User Experience Designer/Developer
University Communications and Marketing
Gold: Brochures/Sales Kits
Fashion Book
Jason Zehner, Senior Designer
Susan Menassa, Editor
Dan Karp, Executive Director of Creative Services
Bryan Rinnert, Photographer
Dennis Roliff, Photographer
Silver: Brochure/Sales Kits
School of Theatre and Dance Viewbook
Jason Zehner, Senior Designer
Susan, Menassa, Editor
Dan Karp, Executive Director of Creative Services
Phil Soencksen, Writer
Silver: Integrated Campaign
Fashion School Fashion Show Campaign
Jason Zehner, Senior Designer
Dan Karp, Executive Director of Creative Services
Phil Soencksen, Copywriter
Susan Menassa, Copy Editor
Bryan Rinnert, Photographer
Dennis Roliff, Photographer
For more information about the Akron ADDY Awards, visit .
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Media Contacts:
Jennifer Kramer, jlkramer@kent.edu, 330-672-1960
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595