Geoff Upward Receives IABC/Detroit Communicator of the Year Award

DETROIT, June 29, 2004 - Geoff Upward was recently honored with the "Communicator of the Year" award by the Detroit Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC/Detroit). This is the 16th year IABC/Detroit has recognized a communications professional for outstanding contributions to business communication through the practice and encouragement of professionalism and integrity in communications excellence.

In his 20th year with Oakland University, Upward has been instrumental in defining the university's marketing and communications efforts. As a result the university has seen a 41 percent increase in student enrollment during his tenure. His marketing savvy has also helped OU achieve national recognition in Princeton ReviewÕs first edition of The Best Midwestern Colleges, 150 Great Schools to Consider and was listed as Òone of the nationÕs most underrated schoolsÓ in the 2004 edition of The Unofficial Unbiased Guide to the 328 Most Interesting Colleges, along with such schools as Arizona, Duke and The University of Chicago.

Ted Coutilish, executive director, marketing and publications for Wayne State University and a former colleague of Upward presented the award. "Anyone who has worked for Geoff Upward has never worked harder and done more. He brings out the best in you and challenges you to succeed. He is the consummate communications professional and employee," said Coutilish.

"Geoff Upward has played an important role in shaping the role of university marketing and communications," said 2003-2004 IABC/Detroit President Cindy Orlandi, APR, ABC, and principal of Cyndosura. ÒHis professional achievements personifies what can be achieved when business communicators work closely with the management team.Ó

IABC/Detroit is one of the largest chapters of the 13,000-member International Association of Business Communicators, with more than 250 professional communicators. The chapter, which includes members in Michigan, Ohio and Canada, holds monthly professional development programs; sponsors workshops; offers job referral services, informative publications, award programs accreditation programs and the opportunity to meet and network with other communicators. For more information on IABC membership visit www.iabc.com. Additional information on the chapter and its free electronic job referral service for employers is available at www.iabcdetroit.com or by calling IABC/DetroitÕs Executive Secretary Nancy Skidmore at (248) 546-5490.