Cognis communications win four Spotlight Awards

At a recent award competition organized by the prestigious League of American Communications Professionals (LACP), global specialty chemicals supplier Cognis won no fewer than four Spotlight Awards for its printed materials. The Active Textiles brochure won the Platinum Award, the highest honor the LACP gives, while the AgroSolutions brochure and 2003 annual report won Gold Awards, and the 2003 sustainability report a Silver Award.

The Textile Technology business unit’s new Active textiles for an active life brochure not only won the Platinum Award in the “Brochures” category, but with a score of 97 out of a possible 100 points, it was ranked seventh overall among the 850 entries received across all categories. It scored maximum points on the “first impression”, “overall narrative” and “overall visual design” criteria, and 19 out of 20 for “creativity” and “message clarity”. The brochure focuses on Cognis Active Textiles new product strategy, which allows textiles to be treated with active ingredients and marketed under the Skintex, Cyclofresh, Securlana and Repellan brand names. As Susanne Marell, Vice President Corporate Communications, explains: “Our brochures and the related marketing campaign have made a significant contribution to the rapid creation of strong new brands. The messages and design of these materials speak directly to our customers’ target consumers, and help them to develop new ideas and marketing propositions with the potential to drive strong sales.” The campaign was created by her team under the leadership of Peter Wallscheid, Head of Marketing Communications and Corporate Advertising, working together with the Düsseldorf-based XEO agency (previously known as creativ partner).

AgroSolutions – a new slant on agrochemicals
The Let’s grow – Intelligent solutions for the agriculture market brochure, produced by Cognis’ AgroSolutions business unit, received 96 out of a possible 100 points from the LACP jury, which translated into a Gold Award. The brochure underlines Cognis AgroSolutions’ positioning as a strong partner for companies in the agrochemicals industry, focusing on how the business unit meets their key requirements of highly effective active ingredients, ease of use, and environmental sustainability.

Cognis also received a Gold Award in the “Annual Report” category, which was ranked ninth overall among all entries. The report gives an overview of the company’s strategic focus on serving the wellness and sustainability trends, and the practical implications of this. In the same category, Cognis’ 2003 sustainability report won a Silver Award. It used the example of Cognis Thailand to show how the principle of sustainability is reflected in the company’s approach to social and environmental issues.

Strengthening the Cognis brand:
This is the fourth time that the excellence of Cognis’ communications has received official recognition from the LACP. The awards are a tribute to the successful way in which, in the space of just a few years, Cognis has used clear messages to build a strong brand, based on a unified marketing and communication strategy and the company’s focus on serving the wellness and sustainability trends.

Based in San Diego, the LACP aims to encourage excellence in the practice of communications for all organizations by organizing international competitions, and facilitate the discussion and acceptance of best practices. The annual Spotlight Awards recognize print, video and web PR activities.

Note:
Pictures can be downloaded from the Cognis Press Room (www.cognis.com).

About Cognis:
Cognis is a worldwide supplier of innovative specialty chemicals and nutritional ingredients. As at June 30, 2004, the company employed about 8,400 people, and it operates production sites and service centers in 30 countries. Cognis has dedicated its activities to a high level of sustainability and delivers natural source raw materials and ingredients for food, nutrition and healthcare markets, and the cosmetics, detergents and cleaners industries. Additionally, Cognis provides solutions for a number of other industries, such as coatings and inks, lubricants, textiles and plastics, as well as agriculture and mining.

Cognis is owned by private equity funds advised by Permira, GS Capital Partners, and Schroder Ventures Life Sciences. In 2003, Cognis recorded sales of 2.95 billion euros and an Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and exceptional items) of 312 million euros.

Contact:
Susanne Marell, Vice President Corporate Communications
Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
Phone: +49-211-7940-5395
E-mail: susanne.marell@cognis.com
Internet: www.cognis.com

Susanne Sengel, Corporate Communications Manager
Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
Phone: +49-211-7940-5431
E-mail: susanne.sengel@cognis.com
Internet: www.cognis.com