LIVONIA, Mich., Oct. 17 -- Valassis, the leading company in marketing services and Connective Media, announced today that it is the recipient of a Caleidoscope of Culture Award (COCA). The Caleidoscope Awards recognize southeastern Michigan organizations and businesses for their ongoing efforts and steadfast commitment to diversity. It is the company's first diversity-specific award. Valassis was recognized in the human resources category for its Diversity Job Fair and Open House, which was held in conjunction with its Diversity Council on Aug. 3. The third annual open house proved to be the company's largest, attracting 420 candidates and broadening its pool of diverse candidates. It also resulted in new hires just a month after the fair itself. Valassis continues to further pursue candidates from the job fair. "It was our Diversity Council's vision to attract 400 candidates, a substantially higher number than past job fairs," explained Valassis Recruiter and Diversity Council member Yulanda Harris. "Initially the goal may have seemed lofty, but based on the importance Valassis places on diversity, we knew it to be realistic." "Valassis demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to diversity; the Diversity Job Fair and Open House is one of the many tangible outcomes of that commitment," said Carol Spann, Valassis Director of Global Human Resources. "Diversity is a very important strategic initiative at the company and we view it as one of our greatest assets and opportunities. We strive to have both a workplace where all employees feel included and valued, as well as a business that stands ready to anticipate and engage emerging markets. The strength of the diversity of our employees is what allows us to be ready for such opportunities." Since 2002, the Ntouch Communications Group has presented the Caleidoscope of Culture Awards to coincide with National Diversity Week and recognize local companies that have made inroads in the area of diversity. Ntouch, a wholly- owned minority/woman-owned business, has expertise in targeted communication strategies for, but not limited to, African-American, Hispanic and Asian- American consumer markets. The Caleidoscope Award is the company's most recent achievement, which also includes FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" for eight consecutive years; Crain's Detroit Business' "Cool Places to Work;" IndustryWeek's "50 Best Manufacturing Companies" and Michigan Business & Professional Association's (MBPA) "Metropolitan Detroit's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For."