NEW BRIGHTON, MINN. (May 26, 2009) – Risdall Advertising Agency (RMG) has been awarded a certificate of excellence by the Business Marketing Association (BMA) Pro-Comm Awards for its work designing the new Smith System logo.

RMG and long-time client Smith System set out to develop and introduce a new brand identity that communicated inspiration, a commitment to thought leadership, and Smith System’s growing platform of products while at the same time distinguishing it from Smith System’s competitors.

“Creating a new logo for Smith System was important to help the company grow and succeed,” said John Risdall, vice chairman and CEO of Risdall Marketing Group. “We’re thrilled that the new logo is already producing results, and to be recognized by our peers for our work is the icing on the cake.”

The new logo communicates an active, confident, vibrant personality that tells stakeholders that Smith System is committed to growing and investing in its brand. While contemporary, the new logo continued to use the company’s traditional blue color and “S” symbol. This was a conscious effort to not abandon the company’s more than 100-year legacy and heritage.

The annual BMA Pro-Comm Awards competition recognizes the work produced for clients who possess the foresight and understanding to direct superior communications, by agencies that demonstrate the ability to transform ideas into effective information that produces results. Winners will be recognized at the BMA Annual Conference, on June 10, at the Drake Hotel, in Chicago.

About Risdall Marketing Group
Founded in 1972, Risdall Advertising Agency has annual capitalized billings of $190 million in 2008 and over 80 employees. Headquartered in New Brighton, Minn., Risdall is heralded as one of the oldest and most successful agencies in the Twin Cities market and is recognized nationally for its leading-edge interactive marketing capabilities. The full-service agency embraces an integrated approach offering marketing, advertising, public relations, promotion and collateral development, traditional and interactive media, research and fundraising capabilities. According to the 2008 Twin Cities Business Annual Business Information Guide, RMG is ranked as the largest Web developer, fifth largest PR agency and the seventh largest advertising agency in Minnesota. For more information, visit www.risdall.com.

About Smith System
Founded in 1905, Smith System (www.smithsystem.com) has helped American education evolve by being ready with the right furniture at the right time. An industry leader in school furniture innovation, Smith System is committed to developing products that support the optimum learning environments -- addressing the needs of the student, the demands of the curriculum and the realities of space, maintenance and budget.

About the Business Marketing Association
The Business Marketing Association (BMA) began in 1922 as the National Industrial Advertising Association, today's Business Marketing Association represents a lifetime of expertise in business-to-business marketing and communications. For more than 80 years, BMA has been the pre-eminent service organization for professionals in this vital industry. As market realities so often prove, no one stays in business that long without continually meeting their customers' needs.

John Risdall
Risdall Marketing Group
651.286.6702

Amanda Draxton
Risdall McKinney Public Relations
651.286.6776