PennWest Edinboro’s branch of the NWPA Innovation Beehive Network earned two regional marketing awards for their work supporting local businesses.

The Center for Branding and Strategic Communication – Edinboro’s Beehive branch – earned a gold and silver medal in the “Marketing” category at the annual Niagara Awards for their branding and marketing pieces for Lake Erie Woodworks and Your Daily Serving, respectively.

“These awards symbolize the ongoing and innovative collaboration between the PennWest Edinboro Beehive and our celebrated graphic design department,” said Chris Lantinen, director of Edinboro’s Beehive. “If you look at the innovative entrepreneurs in our region, many feature visual elements from the Beehive. We're very proud of that.”

Edinboro’s students and Beehive staff collaborated with Lake Erie Woodworks and owner Armando Reyes to create a logo, business card, motion design, social media assets, style guide and brand story for Black Monarch, the company’s developing line of handmade furniture.

“Armando Reyes is, simply put, one of Erie's great entrepreneurs,” Lantinen said. “We were thrilled to help him build branding elements for Black Monarch, a furniture line that he's developing through the thriving Lake Erie Woodworks. Armando really epitomizes the innovative Erie spirit.”

Corry, Pennsylvania, native Betsy Grinder collaborated with the Beehive on logos and menus for her health-conscious meal prep, catering and personal chef business, Your Daily Serving. The Beehive also created the company’s pre-made meal labels and style guide.

Lantinen also credits the work of Edinboro professors Scott Gladd and Cassandra Reese, who set a high standard for design students.

“You can see that reflected in the end product,” he said.

The PRSA/NWPA Niagara Awards are awarded annually to public relations and marketing communications practitioners who have successfully addressed a contemporary issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness.

Each year, the PRSA Niagara Awards recognize complete public relations or marketing communications programs and projects incorporating sound research, planning, execution and evaluation.

Photo: (from left) Armando Reyes, owner of Lake Erie Woodworks; Chris Lantinen, director of Edinboro’s Beehive; Scott Gladd, graphic design faculty member; Brianna Signorelli, student designer; Cassandra Reese, design professor; Emily Malay, student designer; and Miranda Peterson, student designer.