MK Shannon Turns 2D Graphic Logo into Elegant 3D Company Award!

Experient "I-Guy" Award

Experient called MK Shannon Awards and Rewards, Inc. asking for a custom designed award using their logo. The award, affectionately referred to as the I-Guy within the company, was designed and approved for production within a few weeks.

MK was able to transpose their 2-dimensional graphic logo into a 3D sculptural figure that appears both energetic and elegant. The award is cast in pewter and plated in sterling silver. The finish is non-tarnishing. Mounted onto a black marble stand, the award is presented each year as the Pinnacle Award and the Envision Award—these are Experient’s highest awards.

Experient, a Maritz travel company, leads the industry as one of the best-known and most respected brands in the meeting planning and event management world.

The Luxury of Time: The Making of Four Customized Awards for Applebee's

We were contacted by an executive assistant of Applebee's Services, Inc. in Kansas City, MO to create four distinct awards for Applebee’s Honors program. After several meetings via email and phone conferences where we discussed the purpose of each award, MK Shannon suggested awards that were available in her present collection that could be customized to fit the needs expressed by Applebee’s.

A model of a stylized apple was created by MK Shannon to replace a globe held by two figures in an existing MK Shannon award. The Applebee’s logo was mounted on the Apple. This customization option vs. designing a commissioned award saved Applebee’s the cost of designing, modeling, and molding a new award. It still provided them with an award that is unique to Applebee’s and is used as their Operator of the Year award. All four of the awards were created by using an existing award and customizing it for Applebee's Honors program. The Heart of Applebee's uses an award which was customized by using a heart shaped piece with Applebee's logo held in the circled arms of a person. The Neighbor of the Year is an award holding a house. And the Franchisee of the Year award uses a globe with Applebee's logo.

Applebee's Operator of the Year Award

“We started in late July and completed the awards in late October, “ says MK. “Because of our early involvement with Applebee's, we had the ideal situation— 3 months to complete a project of this nature. This is as good as it gets to have this kind of client and this kind of relationship. We're establishing a strong precedent for years to come.”

Heart of Applebee's Award

Applebee's Neighbor of the Year Award

Applebee's Franchisee of the Year Award

“One of the most important aspects of this project,” says MK, “is that the client allowed ample time for discussion and development of the awards. We normally require at least two weeks development time and then four additional weeks for casting, finishing, and shipping the awards. Because Applebee’s “planned ahead” there was adequate time for development and all parties were satisfied with the results that ensued.

Once a year Applebee’s honors the following with the presentation of awards nationally and internationally:

Heart of Applebee’s Award
The Heart of Applebee’s award (approximately 15” tall) recognizes the Applebee’s Franchise organization that has shown the greatest commitment to an individual cause or organization.

Neighbor of the Year Award
This award (approximately 15” tall) recognizes the Applebee’s Franchise that has demonstrated the greatest commitment to serving its neighbors and neighborhood through a variety of methods and causes throughout the past year.

Operator of the Year Award
Each year Applebee’s Services, Inc. awards a senior operator within a franchise organization the honor of Operator of the Year. This award is approximately 13” tall.

Franchisee of the Year Award
Each year Applebee’s Services, Inc. awards a franchisee with its highest honor by naming them the Abe Gustin Franchisee of the Year. This honor is awarded to a principal shareholder that has made great contributions to the Applebee’s system. The award is approximately 13” tall.

The relationship developed throughout the creation of the awards and was a very positive experience judging from some of the comments sent to me by Applebee’s:

“I think you’ve gone above and beyond.”

“The awards were stunning and arrived in beautiful shape. Everyone was thrilled with them, especially the recipients. Our international franchisee from Qatar who received two of them (Foodvest Company) barely wanted to let go of them so we could ship them to him.”

The Making of the Waxy Awards for the Hollywood Wax Museum

A little history about the Hollywood Wax Museum:

The Hollywood Wax Museum, located on Hollywood Boulevard along the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California, is the longest running wax museum in the history of the United States, with more than 48 years of continuous operation by the same owners since 1965.

--HollywoodWaxMuseum.com/

In the fall of 2012, for their new Waxy Awards program, they commissioned MK Shannon to interpret and copy their company's highly-recognized outdoor display sign (shown here).

This design is very complex and required several days work to construct as a model for final approval by the owner (see mockup in black and white). The original artwork had to be redrawn to make it suitable for model making and casting. Aileen Stein, Director of Corporate Communications for Kuvera Partners Inc., was tireless in her efforts to co-ordinate this project quickly and efficiently, assisting MK at every turn and providing excellent support. This project could not have succeeded without her.

Once the designs to be modeled and cast were approved, MK constructed the model, worked with the mold-maker, and oversaw final assembly of the cast parts. Five awards were completed and plated in Sterling Silver for the first Waxy Awards event at the new Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (see photo of final Waxy Award).

Within four weeks and a lot of phone calls, emails, and hard work, the awards were completed and shipped. Aileen's comments say it all: "Approved. It's looking great. Please proceed. Thanks so much for your amazing effort!"

These are the names of the 5 WAXY AWARDS presented on October 24, 2012 and their recipients:

WAXY AWARD—Creativity: Studio Y Creations

WAXY AWARD—Excellence: D and S Builders

WAXY AWARD—Community Service: Boys and Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains

WAXY AWARD—Camaraderie: City of Pigeon Forge Community Development

WAXY AWARD—Founder's Award: Chanchil Sundher

Custom Awards for Pacific Miniatures

It is our good fortune to partner with various stellar companies to represent them when it comes to outstanding awards. Pacific Miniatures at www.pacmin.com is one such company that has partnered with us to provide quality MK Shannon Awards for Cessna Aircraft Company, Boeing, SEA, Wataniya Air, ILFC, Emirates Airline, ATR and others. Some of the categories include "Customer of the Year Award", "Leadership Excellence Award", "Operational Excellence Award", "Innovation Award", Workforce Development Award”, International Safety Award, and the list goes on and on. Pacific Miniatures is pioneering awards excellence in their industry. It is exciting to be a part of such an innovative company.

See why custom awards are our specialty!

Recognition Award "World Infinity" Designed for Global Organizations

New for 2009, the “World Infinity” recognition award represents global unity, collaboration, and service. The world is infinite, endless, and continual. We as individuals struggle to grow, to learn, to achieve and to accomplish in an ever-changing planet in an ever-changing world. This custom award illustrates the importance of partnership, of teamwork, of sharing and caring. These figures reach out to one another for support and connection while holding up a globe. In that moment, through that movement they become more than they are alone, they become stronger and brighter and offer hope for a better world. This unique award captures the spirit of teamwork or global partnership. This award is a great fit for any individual or organization involved in global service initiatives or global business activities. To get pricing, information about available finishes, and to order "World Infinity" as a recognition or global unity award, please click on this link.

Custom Award "Vanguard" Designed for Donor Recognition

Vanguard, designed in 2009, is a custom award that has broad appeal for use as an achievement award, or a donor recognition award. As a corporate award this sculpture honors employee recognition or client appreciation. It also lends itself to use as an achievement award. The word Vanguard in the dictionary means "leading position". Can you imagine an army with the troops at the front leading the way--they are the Vanguard! In companies and foundations there are always “vanguard” individuals. This unique award is a simple design with a powerful message. Two figures are shooting upwards through time and space toward their goal. It could easily represent an outstanding employee and the company working together and be presented as a corporate award. It could also be used to honor teams. As a donor award it could be given to a married couple to honor their work or support of a foundation or non-profit organization. This piece has honor and achievement written all over it!

Recognition Award "Living Sea" to be Presented by Heal the Bay Foundation

Living Sea, a custom award designed by MK Shannon, will again be presented by Heal the Bay Foundation of Santa Monica, California at their annual gala in May. Their 18th annual Bring Back the Beach benefit dinner is being held at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. This year’s theme “A Sea of Possibilities” will recognize and honor those whose "thoughts, words and actions demonstrate the powerful impact of seizing tremendous opportunities for positive change." HTB's mission is dedicated to making Southern California coastal waters and watersheds safe, healthy and clean.

MK Shannon Awards & Rewards is honored to have been commissioned to design and produce Living Sea for the Heal the Bay Foundation. Our mission for over 20 years has been to design innovative custom awards and trophies for recognition, achievement, fundraising, gifts, and sports. We do that by translating your ideas and vision into meaningful, artistic recognition awards.

HTB has presented awards to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Grammy® award winner Brian Wilson (of the Beach Boys), and the National Geographic Society. Shown here are photos of last year's honorees along with Julia Luis-Dreyfus.