American Advertising Federation Nashville

BOWLING GREEN, Ky., Nov. 17, 2011--- Imagewest has proved itself as a strong competitor in the Bowling Green marketing industry once again by winning four awards and an honorable mention at the 2011 Professional Marketing Association (PMA) Markie Awards.

Imagewest is a one-of-a-kind advertising and public relations agency run by Western Kentucky University students. Each semester, a new team of fresh minds intern at the agency to produce work for clients. Imagewest entered their work in 14 categories and received the following five awards:

1. Best Marketing Campaign: Barren River Animal Welfare Association (BRAWA)
2. Best Direct Mail Piece: Imagewest seven year anniversary and grand re-opening
3. Best Press Kit/PR Campaign: Imagewest International
4. Best Specialty Item: Imagewest seven year anniversary and grand re-opening
5. Honorable Mention Fundraising Campaign/Special Event: Imagewest seven year anniversary and grand re-opening

“It was incredible to see our award-winning work displayed at the banquet,” said senior graphic designer Alan Schneller. “We devote so much time, effort and passion to make every project great at Imagewest, and it’s nice to receive recognition for that.”

The 11th Annual Markie Awards took place on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 at the Holiday Inn University Plaza in Bowling Green. PMA is an organization for networking, professional development and peer recognition. The Markie Awards honor the best examples of marketing by PMA members in Bowling Green throughout the year. The awards are based on creativity and effectiveness derived from the project’s marketing objective, target audience and results. This year PMA recognized the company as well as the designers and vendors associated with the project.

“It’s always a gratifying experience for Imagewest at the Markie Awards Banquet,” said Heather Garcia, director and full-time staff member. “Receiving a Markie Award is a major accomplishment for the students and is something that will really stand out as they enter the workforce.”

The event’s theme “Denim & Diamonds” marked a philanthropic addition to the banquet in which the association sponsored a community drive to collect denim clothing to benefit the Bowling Green International Center. As a strong advocate of giving back to the community, Imagewest collected items at WKU and made a significant contribution to the cause. The work that was submitted was created during the fall 2010, the spring 2011 and fall 2011 semesters.

Interns for the fall 2010 semester included: Clay Cauley (Carrollton, Ky.), Megan Edwards (Fort Mitchell, Ky.), Scottie Ellis (Frankfort, Ky.), Leslie Hill (Louisville, Ky.), Ker’ri Krieg (Russell Springs, Ky.), Jiwon Lee (Seoul, South Korea), Kelly Mulhall (Elizabethtown, Ky.), Leanna Norwood (Central City, Ky.), Nick Van Hooser (Woodburn, Ky.), KaiLee Viehland (Princeton, Ky.), Alice Weber (Bowling Green, Ky.) and Kara Williams (Graham, Ky.).

Interns for the spring 2011 semester included: Kelley Boothe (Georgetown, Ky.), Stephen Charny (Louisville, Ky.), Ryan Franklin (Louisville, Ky.), Kelly Haight (Bowling Green, Ky.), Tea Lacic (Mainz, Germany), Caitlin Pike (La Grange, Ky.), Sarah Pope (Louisville, Ky.), Stephanie Romano (Goshen, Ky.), Alan Schneller (Oakland, Ky.), Jessica Troccoli (Old Hickory, Tenn.), Jane Wood (Bowling Green, Ky.) and Justin Wuetcher (Goshen, Ky.).

Interns for the fall 2011 semester include: Eric Brodzinski (Noblesville, Ind.), Michelle Child (Taylor Mill, Ky.), Kayla Cruse (Upton, Ky.), Megan Dunlevy (Louisville, Ky.), Bethany Hubartt (Indianapolis, Ind.), Paige Johnson (Bowling Green, Ky.), Tony King (Louisville, Ky.), Jackelyn Mead (Hendersonville, Tenn.), Veronica Newman (Hopkinsville, Ky.), Alan Schneller (Oakland, Ky.) and Kayla Spelling (Covington, Ky.).

For further information, contact Heather Garcia or Michelle Child at 270-745-8915, via e-mail at imagewest@wku.edu, or log on to www.wkuimagewest.com.

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Imagewest is a student-run advertising and public relations agency that provides students with real-world agency experience. Imagewest allows students to further develop their skills and enhance their portfolio giving them a competitive edge as they enter the workforce. Imagewest operates year-round and offers a variety of services such as graphic and web design, media relations and publicity, event planning, large scale printing, consulting, strategic planning, conducting research including the use of an in-house focus group facility and much more.

Imagewest began in January 2004 and is located on Western Kentucky University’s campus in the Mass Media and Technology Hall room 331. Any revenues that are generated will go directly back into the School of Journalism and Broadcasting to cover expenses such as equipment, scholarships and educational travel. It is part of WKU’s School of Journalism and Broadcasting’s Center for 21st Century Media Program of Distinction, which is approved and funded by Kentucky’s Council on Post-Secondary Education Regional Excellence Trust Fund.