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Tuesday, 20 June 2006 00:00 |
JUNEAU, ALASKA — June 19, 2006 — The Alaskan Brewing Company won Best Creative Team and Best Corporate Communicator at the Fourth Annual American Business Awards held in New York City. It was a Cinderella story for the small craft brewery, which was a finalist in every category it entered in its first year of competition. The other categories entered were Best Marketing Team and Best Marketer.
Hailed as “the business world’s version of the Oscars” by the New York Post, the American Business Awards honors great performances in the workplace in more than 40 categories. Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word “crowned,” the awards were presented during ceremonies at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City last week. The ceremonies were hosted by CNN business news anchor Ali Velshi, videocast live on the Internet, and broadcast nationwide on radio.
Alaskan Brewing’s director of marketing and sales, Fred Hees, who also was a finalist for Best Marketer and leader of the winning Best Creative Team, represented the brewery at the awards program. “The highlight of the evening was the standing ovation we received when our second award of the evening was announced,” said Hees, who estimated there were at least 1,000 people in attendance. “I was proud to accept the awards on behalf of the brewery, our business partners who display our creative work in their stores and bars and the people who consistently buy and drink our beer.”
The evening’s theme of business integrity made the awards that much more meaningful for Alaskan Brewing, he added. “Our approach to marketing has always been true to the core values of the company and of the state of Alaska, and it is one of the keys to our success,” Hees said. “It’s a true compliment that our efforts were recognized by the icons of the business world.”
Judges cited Alaskan Brewing’s authentic and highly innovative creative programs for its twin wins. Marcy Larson, co-founder and co-owner of the brewery, agrees, but she also credits teamwork. “No one is only a brewer or only a marketer here. We are all responsible for the quality and success of every aspect of the business, whether it’s brewing beer, packaging it or selling it.” She added that it was a great honor to have Alaskan’s marketing and communications efforts standing alongside those of billion-dollar concerns like Eli Lilly, Nextel and Microsoft. “It really illustrates the quality of our organization.”
 It was a bittersweet win for Kristi Monroe, who was named Best Corporate Communicator, because the longtime marketing communications director is leaving the brewery to move to Texas. “I have had the best job in the world for 13 years!” Monroe said. “It is the dedication of our crew, the enthusiasm of our distributors and the devotion of Alaskan fans that make my job great. They have fueled my passion for Alaskan Brewing, which I think is reflected in my work.”
More than 1,500 nominations in 40 categories were submitted for the 2006 American Business Awards. Members of the Awards’ Board of Distinguished Judges & Advisors and their staffs selected Stevie winners from among the Finalists. Finalists were chosen by business professionals nationwide during preliminary judging earlier this year.
About the Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in three programs: the American Business Awards, the International Business Awards and the Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs. Honoring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Nicknamed Stevie for the Greek word “crowned,” the coveted award is designed by the same company that makes the Oscar, Clio and other major industry awards. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.stevieawards.com.
About Alaskan Brewing Company
Alaskan Brewing Company distributes internationally award-winning beers throughout Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, California and Arizona. Founded in 1986, Alaskan Brewing Company is the oldest operating brewery in Alaska. The Juneau-based brewery produces Alaskan Amber, Pale, ESB, and Stout year-round, as well as Smoked Porter, Winter Ale and Summer Ale seasonally. For more information, please visit www.alaskanbeer.com.
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For more information, please contact Amy Woods, 907-780-5866 |
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