Contact:
Tara Powers or Brian Burch (616) 233-0500
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 15, 2007 – Zondervan, a global leader in Christian communications, today announced that its marketing and public relations team and public relations partner, Lambert, Edwards & Associates (LE&A) with Beyond the Box (BTB), have earned a 2007 Silver Anvil Award, the public relations industry’s most prestigious honor, for the launch of Inspired By… The Bible Experience (New Testament).
Sponsored by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the 2007 Silver Anvil Award recognizes the best public relations practices of the past year. The award recognizes Zondervan, LE&A and BTB for developing and executing one of the year’s most strategic public relations campaigns. This is the second year in a row that Zondervan has won a Silver Anvil with partner LE&A, having received a 2006 Silver Anvil Award for the launch of the Today’s New International Version (TNIV) Bible, the most up-to-date and accessible Bible translation available.
“It is tremendously gratifying to see the efforts of so many talented professionals recognized by such a prestigious award,” said Bill Oechsler, executive vice president of marketing at Zondervan. “Inspired By… The Bible Experience is one of the most important products Zondervan has ever brought to market, and it demanded innovative thinking, solid execution and incredible tenacity. Results to date are a true testament to what a committed team can deliver when faced with a huge challenge but blessed by an incredible opportunity.”
The Inspired By… The Bible Experience public relations program secured more than 420 print stories, including three individual features in USA Today, syndicated features in Associated Press and Newsday, and two Religion News Service articles. In addition, the PR program generated 31 radio and 15 television spots, including CNN and Weekend Today, resulting in more than 50 million impressions. The campaign also helped lead consumer adoption of Inspired By… The Bible Experience, encouraging early sales of 33,000 units during the critcal Christmas week alone, making it the fastest-selling Bible during the holidays.
“The Silver Anvil Award is the highest mark of success in the public relations industry, and we are very proud to be recognized for helping execute the Inspired By… The Bible Experience campaign,” said Jeff Lambert, managing partner of LE&A. “The Silver Anvil Award is confirmation of Zondervan’s exceptional leadership within the global Christian community. We are delighted to share this honor with them.”
Inspired By… The Bible Experience is currently on sale worldwide and has sold more than 310,000 units to date. It has become Zondervan’s fastest-selling new Bible and was recently named Audiobook of the Year, the highest honor in the audio publishing industry, by the Audio Publishers Association.
Inspired By… The Bible Experience was produced by Inspired By Media Group and features the voice talent of more than 200 African-American actors, musicians and religious leaders. Notable personalities include Blair Underwood, Angela Bassett, Kirk Franklin and Bishop T.D. Jakes. In addition to dramatic performances of the entire New Testament text by leading artists and celebrities, the product also features Hollywood-style sound design created at Technicolor Studios and an original musical underscore featuring performances by the Prague Symphony Orchestra.
The Old Testament and Complete Bible editions of Inspired By… The Bible Experience are scheduled for release October 2007.
About Lambert, Edwards & Associates
Lambert, Edwards & Associates is West Michigan’s leading public relations firm and the largest investor relations firm in the state, serving more than 80 clients in 19 states. Based in Grand Rapids, Mich., LE&A works extensively with middle-market companies and national brands in three primary practice groups: Business & Financial Communications, Healthcare & Technology and Consumer.
Zondervan, a
HarperCollins company, is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with offices in San Diego and Miami, Zondervan conducts events and publishes its bestselling
Bibles,
books,
audio,
video,
curriculum,
software, and
digital products through its
Zondervan,
eZondervan,
Zonderkidz,
Youth Specialties,
Editorial Vida, and
National Pastors Convention brands. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by
Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan on the Internet at
www.zondervan.com (mobile site:
zvan.mobi).
