The 2008 Bronze Quill awards, presented by the Minnesota chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), represent the successful publicity efforts of a diverse range of organizations. The judges evaluated 91 entries for this year's awards and selected 11 Awards of Excellence, 25 Awards of Merit, and one Pinnacle Award winner.

The judges—members of six IABC chapters around the country—evaluated a written work plan and work samples for each project; both were worth 50 percent of the final score. Submissions had to clearly identify critical audience characteristics and the organization’s needs, define measurable goals, and describe implementation and results. Work samples were judged on creativity, professional and technical standards, and how well they reflected the project objectives.

The Award of Excellence winners are described on the following pages. Read on to discover why they were chosen as the best.

2007 National Marrow Donor Drive

Weber Shandwick's 2007 National Marrow Donor Drive campaign took home top honors from the Minnesota Chapter of the IABC.

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon

The Minnesota National Guard's "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon" mission.

The Cenex Guy Has You Covered

Colle+McVoy's do-all "Cenex Man."

The Westin Minneapolis

Padilla Speer Beardsley, the Westin Minneapolis and the Wall Street Journal.

"Because We Care" Employee Giving Campaign

Thomson West's annual "Because We Care" employee giving campaign.

Latitude Magazine

Padilla Speer Beardsley's successful plan for Latitude magazine.

P&G Beauty

Procter & Gamble chose the Twin Cities a test market for beauty products and Padilla Speer Beardsley for the PR.

MS2 2007 Embrace Diversity Campaign

Selling diversity to your employees.

Miracle on 29th Street: Cristo Rey

How Padilla Speer Beardsley helped recruit potential students for Minneapolis's newest Jesuit school.

BASF's 2007 Hole of the Month

How BASF got its message in the right hands.

Leonard Legal Buzz

Law firm Leonard Street and Deinard uses technology to reach potential clients.

Additional Award of Merit Winners

See who else pulled in the Minnesota Chapter of the IABC's 2008 Bronze Quill Award.