LIVONIA, Mich., Oct. 3 -- Valassis, the leading company in marketing services and Connective Media, announced today that the Web Marketing Association (WMA), an organization working to create a high standard of excellence for Web site development and marketing on the Internet, named three Web sites designed by Valassis as 2006 WebAward recipients. More than 2,300 sites from 35 countries were judged during this year's WebAward competition. "We are extremely proud of our e-marketing creative and Web site development accomplishments because they are helping our clients grow their businesses," said Ron Goolsby, Vice President of Valassis 1 to 1 Solutions. "It is an honor to receive an award as prestigious as this, especially by the Web Marketing Association." The IKEA Canton Project Web site (http://www.ikeacantonproject.com/archive ) received the Online Community Standard of Excellence WebAward and the Retail Standard of Excellence WebAward. Valassis designed the IKEA Canton Project Web site to allow the client to track user involvement and calculate participation points and referrals. The concept for the site came from the growing popularity of online social networks, allowing people with similar interests to connect with each other. The Hastings Summer Book Club site (http://www.readhastings.com ) received the Family Standard of Excellence WebAward and the Retail Standard of Excellence WebAward. Valassis created the Hastings Summer Book Club site to align with Hastings Entertainment's in-store book club targeted to kids aged 2 to 18. The site included four monthly themes with engaging illustrations, a book review submission tool and book quizzes -- all to keep kids excited about reading all summer long. The In Step with SYNVISC site (https://www.instepwithsynvisc.com ) received a Pharmaceuticals Standard of Excellence WebAward. The site was designed by Valassis to support a relationship marketing program that offers osteoarthritis patients information to better manage their condition and decide if SYNVISC is right for them. According to the WMA, the Standard of Excellence awards are given to sites that set the level that corporate Web sites should strive to achieve. Web sites are judged on design, ease of use, copywriting, interactivity, use of technology, innovation and content. Judges included members of the media, advertising executives, site designers, creative directors, corporate marketing executives, content providers and webmasters. For more information about Valassis e-Marketing Solutions, please contact Phil Hussey, Group Director of e-Marketing and Relationship Marketing, at [email protected] or (781) 259-5186. For additional details about the WebAwards, please visit http://www.webaward.org.