DES PLAINES, IL -- Schawk, Inc., a leading provider of brand point management services enabling companies of all sizes to connect their brands with consumers to create deeper brand affinity, announced today that its retail marketing group, Schawk Retail Marketing, has been recognized with nine RACie Awards (Retail Award for Creativity, innovation and excellence) in the 2009 RAMA (Retail Advertising & Marketing Association) competition.

The RACie Awards balance results with creativity, with 50 percent of the scoring based on results and 50 percent based on creativity. The finalists and winners were selected by a panel of advertising executives in the retail industry. The annual competition is sponsored by the NRF (National Retail Federation).

The direct mail and print advertising created by Schawk Retail Marketing was distributed by its clients during 2008, one of the most challenging retail periods on record. Characterized by a deep recession, severe winter weather and fewer shopping days for retailers, few retailers were immune to the financial impact of this "perfect storm." Still, these marketing communications pieces produced by Schawk Retail Marketing helped increase client revenue and profits in 2008.

In the Direct Mail (Large) Category, Schawk Retail Marketing earned the following awards:

Gold: Kmart's "Baby Sales"; Silver: Bloomingdale's "Men's Spring 2008" and Bloomingdale's "Hot Rocks"; Bronze: Lord & Taylor's "Party On Prom 2008" and Bloomingdale's "Hot Spring 2008."

In the Direct Mail (Small) Category, Schawk Retail Marketing earned a Bronze Award for The Great Indoors's "Inspiration for Living" and Home Depot's "Garden Club."

In the Single Media Campaign/Print/Q4 (Large) Category, Schawk Retail Marketing earned the following awards: Silver: Lord & Taylor's "All About Direct Mail" and Kmart's 2008 "Spring/Summer 2008 Brand Repositioning."

The nine awards won by Schawk Retail Marketing represent an all-time high for the agency.

They also represent the most awards won by a single external agency at this year's competition.

"Awards such as these validate our ability to balance direct response dynamics and creativity to produce work for our clients that performs in the marketplace," said Gary Moss, vice president of account services, Schawk Retail Marketing. "It is especially important in this challenging economy to know how to creatively generate awareness, interest and desire that propels consumers to action."

David A. Schawk, president and chief executive officer commented on the wins: "The value of the strategic, creative and executional services offered by Schawk Retail Marketing as part of our brand point management services is evident in the number of RACie awards they have received this year. They delivered marketplace performance to our clients."

A high-resolution image of any of the award-winning direct mail and print advertising pieces are available. You may view all winning work at: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/racie09/winnersbook/index.php

Additionally, RAMA presented Don Florence, RAMA Board Member and senior vice president, creative director for Schawk Retail Marketing with a Lifetime Achievement Award. This is only the eighth time in RAMA's 57-year history that they have bestowed the award. Don has led the creative direction for in-house department stores and advertising agencies for the following companies: Bonwit Teller, Marshall Field's, Barney's, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Spiegel, Talbot's, Lowe's, JCPenney, Revlon, Estee Lauder, Warner Bros., Mervyn's, Land's End, Brylane and Sears.

Schawk Retail Marketing, a business unit of Schawk, Inc. creates online, offline and in-store marketing communications for many of the world's top retailers. By integrating the retail experience across brand touchpoints, Schawk Retail Marketing helps companies create compelling and consistent brand experiences to achieve a competitive advantage in the marketplace. For more information on Schawk Retail Marketing, visit: http://www.schawk.com/services/strategic/campaign-planning