Marketing winners

A remarkable lode of creative talent exists in Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois and western Kentucky, the areas served by the Tri State Advertising and Marketing Professionals. Each year, Tri State hands out Addy awards in more than 40 categories. This year's winners, as usual, represented a wide range of impressive advertising and marketing efforts.

A special award went to a couple of marketing professionals who have, over the years, had a significant impact not only in their community, but throughout the world. Dr. Judith Wiles, a marketing professor at Southeast Missouri State University, and Dr. Charles Wiles, a retired marketing professor, received a silver medal award for their contributions to the advertising industry.

The award came just days after a fire severely damaged the Wileses' rural Cape Girardeau County home -- a home filled with treasures of long and productive years of service to their profession and their civic involvement. Among them were Charles Wiles mementos from when he served as president of Optimists International, a worldwide service organization.

One of Charles Wiles important efforts after retiring from teaching was his expert guidance in the switch to the Redhawk mascot at the university.

Congratulations to all the Addy winners and to the Wileses for the honor they bring to this area.