Genesee Community College's picture book was recently honored in New York City, earning a pair of top honors in the 2010 Communicator Awards.
Each year, they recognize creative excellence in advertising, corporate communications, public relations and identity work for print, video, interactive and audio. The competition is one of the largest of its kind in the world, drawing more than 9,000 entries annually.
"We strive, as I think every college does, to put our best foot forward in showcasing our campus," said Virginia Taylor, Ph.D, Genesee's vice president for student and enrollment services. "But to be judged as excellent in this regard by such a distinguished group is flattering and humbling."
The picture book is the college's flagship publication for traditional student recruitment. It received the international competition's highest accolade, the Award for Excellence, in two categories.
In the Communicator Awards' brochure/viewbook category, the college was one of only seven Award for Excellence recipients. In the brochure/photography category, only Genesee and the pioneering aerospace corporation Lockheed Martin won.
"I'm particularly pleased that our photography received acclaim because everyone featured in the picture book was a Genesee student when we shot the pictures for it, said College Recruitment Communications Specialist Hal Legg, who developed the publication.
"The success of the piece depended completely upon their commitment to it. This award is really for them, and they certainly deserve it."
The International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA) hosts and judges the competition. It is an assembly of industry leaders from various disciplines of the visual arts. Membership in the academy is by invitation only and includes creative professionals from companies such as Yahoo!, Disney, HBO, Polo Ralph Lauren, Condé Nast, MTV, Coach, Estee Lauder, Monster.com, Victoria's Secret and Wired.
"We were once again amazed at the high level of work we received for this year's Communicator Awards," noted IAVA Director Linda Day. "Our entrants always seem to find new and creative ways to push the envelope of possibilities across all mediums."
Winning twice at the Communicator Awards adds to the picture book's critical success. In April, it received a Platinum Award at the Hermes Creative Awards, hosted in Arlington, Texas, by the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals.
The college faculty and staff are grateful for the recognition that these awards bring.
"Our campus and what goes on here is such fantastic subject matter," Legg said. "While a lot of work went into this project, I think this (accolade) is just as much a reflection of the college's vibrancy. What comes through in the picture book, I think, is the energy of the people and the place."
