Awards aren’t new to biplane productions.  In November of 2007, though, the advertising agency embarked into new territory: international recognition.  Competing against thousands of entries from advertising agencies, universities, non-profits, and corporations, biplane's single entry won the Certificate of Merit for Excellence in Design.  This competition, sponsored by Torraspapel, the Spanish paper giant, pits some of the best designers and printers in multiple nations.

Ryan George, who owns and operates the Lynchburg, VA, firm, beamed, “This is a great achievement for BiPlane. This validates my efforts to give my clients the best possible advertising—not just in the auction industry.”  George has seen his firm’s brand recognition grow with literally scores of state and national advertising awards over the past few years.  “Awards don’t pay the bills, but it’s what they represent that makes my day.  It means my clients are setting the bar for their market and that people are noticing.”

Plaques were awarded to biplane, as well as to Counts Realty & Auction Group, who commissioned the piece.  A third plaque was given to Shearer Printing Service of Kokomo, IN, who printed the six-page real estate brochure. Shearer printed roughly 25% of the auction industry’s national awards in 2007 and has won over a dozen printing-industry awards. With their own bindery and mail fulfillment center, they serve dozens of auction firms and scores of companies & non-profits across the nation.

George noted that this is believed to be the first time that an auction company has won this award in the competition’s history.  “By nature, auction advertising tends toward the practical over the aesthetic,” said George.  “Time constraints often restrict some of the high-end products and techniques that advertising agencies have available for their projects.  Some may view this as a David and Goliath situation, but biplane and Shearer have developed a streamlined workflow that allows it to produce auction industry-leading speed and quality in its advertising.”