Alexandria, Virginia – Since its inception in 1952, industry leaders have gathered in New York City to present the Franklin Award for Distinguished Service at the Industry’s annual Franklin Event. Sponsored by Printing Industries Alliance, the Franklin Award honors world and industry leaders in recognition of their outstanding achievements in their fields. Since 1988, the media production community has gathered in New York City to recognize outstanding achievements in media production at the annual Luminaire Awards Gala, sponsored by the IDEAlliance DEER Foundation. In an industry rich in traditions, today begins anew, with the Printing Industries Alliance and IDEAlliance announcing a combining of the Franklin Event and Luminaire Awards Gala in a Best in Communications event, beginning in 2014.

“IDEAlliance is a leader in building partnerships to advance the communication and media industry. Our industry needs one premier event to recognize the talented professionals leading a vital industry,’ commented David Steinhardt, President & CEO of IDEAlliance. Tim Freeman, President of Printing Industries Alliance, stated, “The new Franklin Luminaire Awards event pays homage to our industry’s rich past and focuses on our bright and vibrant future. We are looking forward to partnering with IDEAlliance to create an event that's bigger and better than ever.

The Franklin Award for Distinguished Service represents the highest single honor presented by the Metro New York City graphic communications industry and serves to focus national attention on the rapidly evolving and wide-ranging world of graphic communications. For more than half a century, industry leaders have assembled at the Franklin Event to salute a distinguished roster of recipients that has included several U.S. Presidents and a variety of statesmen, diplomats, military leaders and renowned leaders in business and the arts.

The Luminaire Awards, for 25 years, has honored those who represent the fervor of commitment and inspiration in media production, presented by IDEAlliance through its charitable arm, the Digital Enterprise Education & Research (DEER) Foundation. In recognition of their positive influence, creative excellence, and personal dedication within graphic communications, the Luminaire Awards recognizes outstanding achievements by media production leaders.

The combined Franklin Luminaire Awards event will take place September 17, 2014 in New York City, at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers. One Franklin Award for Distinguished Service and up to five Luminaire Awards recognizing outstanding performers in advertising, publishing, printing, and integrated media will be presented during the 2014 Franklin Luminaire Awards event. Laura C. Reid, Vice President of Production, Hearst Magazines & Board Chair, IDEAlliance, and Adam Avrick, President, Design Distributors, Inc. and Printing Industries Alliance Board Member, will serve as co-chairs of the event and lead a committee conducting a search for nominees and announcing event details. Diane Romano, President & COO, HudsonYards & Caps Visual Communications, active for many years in both awards programs, will serve as Chair Emeritus of the Franklin Luminaire Awards.

"In making this announcement Franklin Luminaire co-chair Laura C. Reid said, “This is truly a win/win development for the industry, attendees and supporters, the industry at large, and the sponsoring organizations.” Co-chair Adam Avrick added, “Combining Franklin and Luminaire solidifies the legacy and presence of both programs. The combined Franklin Luminaire Awards program is fittingly subtitled “Best in Communications.” It is now the most prestigious awards program in what is arguably the most important visual communications market in the world.”

For details of the Franklin Luminaire Awards event, contact David Steinhardt at [email protected] - 703.837.1066 or Timothy Freeman at [email protected] - 716.691.3211.