Earlier we told you how jhP was in consideration for an American Advertising Federation National ADDY Award for the illustration “Paper Dali,” created to promote the Mulvane Art Museum’s Mountain/Plains Art Fair. At last Saturday night’s National Conference ADDY Show, Dan Billen and Gary Jones received a Silver ADDY on behalf of jones huyett Partners -– the highest honor awarded in the category! This was the first jhP piece to win national recognition from the AAF. Here’s what Dan and Gary had to say:

Dan Billen, in an email from the hotel after the ADDY show Saturday night:

I’m sitting in the hotel room with Gary trying to come down from a pretty big night. We won a Silver ADDY for Illustration, and – because the awards are based on a point system, not by rank – there wasn’t a Gold ADDY given in that category. That puts us at the top of the nation!

There were about 50 tables and several hundred people at the award show. It was a packed house! I did my best to represent jhP with a bright orange tie and orange Converse shoes to match (that was a real crowd pleaser). We dined on huge steaks and watched as people were called up on stage to accept their awards. Pretty soon it was jones huyett Partners’ turn, and Gary and I went up in front of what seemed like an ocean of people to get our award. I felt like a rock star (again!).

Gary Jones, on the ADDY Award-winning project, after returning to the office Monday morning:

The Mulvane Art Museum, which is part of Washburn University, was our client on this project. I serve on the Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum Board of Directors, and jhP works on the advertising for the Mountain Plains Art Fair, one of the big fundraising projects for the museum. Each year I work with our creative staff to come up with a fresh, new look for the fundraiser.

This year’s goal was to select an artist who personified creativity. I suggested Salvador Dali, remembered for his flamboyant mustache and wild eyebrows. Dali was highly imaginative and looked at things in a surreal and grandiose manner. His work was just as striking and bizarre. Our mission was to create an illustration that captured Dali’s energy in a fresh, exciting way. Dan’s personal collage work made me think he could collage a portrait of Dali. With little direction, Dan created the image and it was clearly a winner. We used the illustration on everything (billboards, banners, posters, flyers, postcards, tickets, T-shirts and TV) and the response was fantastic! Some people knew immediately who he was, and others just liked him because he looked so outrageuos and fun.

Receiving a National ADDY award for the piece solidified our confidence that the ‘Paper Dali’ illustration is world-class work. We are thrilled to bring national exposure to Washburn University and the Mulvane Art Museum. jhP has always appreciated the value of supporting the arts, and we’re proud to help children learn through Mulvane Art Museum programs. Topeka is a great place to live and learn about the arts.

Congratulations Dan and Gary! Everyone at jhP is very proud of you for being recognized as among the best in the country and bringing honor to the excellent work our creative team produces every day!

One of our great joys is the daily chance to create unique, effective advertising and marketing messages for our clients. Sometimes those messages are so distinctive that they are honored in competitions, such as the local ADDY Awards hosted by the American Advertising Federation – Topeka.

As listed previously, jhP won several Gold ADDY Awards in this year’s local competition. One winner was “Paper Dali” an illustration created by Dan Billen and the jhP art team for the Mulvane Art Museum’s 2008 Mulvane Mountain/Plains Art Fair. Along with the rest of the Gold ADDY winners, “Paper Dali” advanced to contend at the AAF – Ninth District ADDYs. Competition included local winners from across our four-state region: Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa.

In District competition, typically dominated by the “big guys” from Kansas City and St. Louis, “Paper Dali” brought home another Gold ADDY! As a District-level Gold winner, “Paper Dali” advances to the National ADDY Competition to compete against award-winning illustrations nationwide.

Next weekend, Dan Billen & Gary Jones will travel to Arlington, Virginia to attend the National ADDY Awards Show. With a little luck, they might find themselves walking across the biggest stage in advertising – collecting another big ADDY for “Paper Dali.”

Eliminating racism. Empowering women. Those are the core missions of the Topeka YWCA. We at jhP agree so heartily with those goals that we were especially pleased to receive honors at the YWCA’s recent 21st Annual Leadership Luncheon.

jhP team member Leslie Palace was honored as a Woman of Excellence for her initiative, commitment and involvement in our community. Her devotion to the Boys and Girls Club of Topeka, her service to our industry through the Advertising Federation, and her leadership at our firm are just a few examples of her community contributions.

At the same luncheon, jones huyett Partners was honored as an Employer of Excellence for providing an atmosphere where diversity is valued and women are empowered to grow and succeed. From flexible scheduling for parents, to company-funded education and instructional opportunities, and open paths to leadership, jhP strives for everyone to enjoy the full meaning of “the power of partnership.”

Check out our photos from the luncheon!

Mindy Armstrong, jhP associate photographer, was recently awarded First Place for the Regional non–master group and First Place for the Kansas non–master group at the annual conference for the Heart of America Professional Photographers Association. At the conference, Mindy’s piece was compared against work by photographers from Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Her winning image was titled “United We Stand,” and she took the photo in the summer of 2008 for the United Way of Greater Topeka’s 2008 campaign materials.

Mindy was also awarded a Gold ADDY from the American Advertising Federation of Topeka for the same image in February 2009. Mindy joined the jhP team in the fall of 2007. She has been a member of the Heart of America Professional Photographers Association since 2005.

Congratulations Mindy!

Each year the American Advertising Federation–Topeka bestows their once-in-a-lifetime, highest achievement award. The Silver Medal recognizes someone for their long history of outstanding contributions to advertising, advancing the industry’s standards, creative excellence and community involvement. We are proud to announce this year’s honoree is Leslie Palace, a jhP team member since 2004!

Leslie has always exhibited the highest levels of dedication to jhP and previous employers throughout her stellar career. All her life, she has been an active and influential member of the Topeka community. She goes above and beyond for her clients, her associates and her neighbors.

Here’s what some of her peers had to say:

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Leslie for nearly five years. She is classy, sophisticated and very insightful when it comes to the work we provide our clients. I can’t think of anyone that was more deserving to be awarded the Silver Medal award this year. Congratulations Leslie! – Linda B.

Leslie has been a fantastic mentor and friend ever since I began working at jhP. Her level of professionalism and confidence is next to none. Way to go, Leslie! – Alissa

Leslie has taught me a lot and made me feel appreciated. I really enjoy working with her! – Sherri

Congratulations Leslie! I am proud to be a part of the same team as you! – Brie

Leslie, you are a riot to work with. Thanks for being so supportive to all team members – even the little guys! – Dan

Leslie’s positive attitude is contagious around the office. Congratulations Leslie you truly deserve the recognition! – Lyn

Leslie is a great mentor and co-worker! She is always willing to help and to offer her input. Congratulations Leslie! You are so well deserving of this award! – Tracey

Congratulations Leslie! You’re the best! – Theresa

Thank you for all your dedication and hard work. It is a joy working with you! – Mindy

Leslie, you are so deserving of the Silver Medal award. I am honored to have the opportunity to work along side of you. You are a great contributor to the jhP team. We are all proud of you. – Linda E.

In the small and sun-scorned hours of the morning, when I am but sleeping, Leslie is at the office, awake and a-work, making our lives, and those of our clients, easier. Congrats, Leslie–you’ve earned it. – Brian

I’ve really enjoyed working with Leslie these past few months. Working on her Silver Medal Award video taught me how much others in the advertising community respect and adore her. We’re incredibly lucky to have her at jhP! – Dusty