'Oscars' of Detroit Sales and Marketing Await Nominations; Platinum Award Winners to be Honored at May 5 Black-Tie Gala

TROY, Mich., Feb. 3, 2006 -- Move over, Oscar, Emmy and Grammy. Nominations for one of the most prestigious business honors in town -- the Platinum Awards -- are now open. So, if you know an award-worthy sales or marketing performer, nominate them for one of the Marketing & Sales Executives of Detroit (MSED) Platinum Awards, which recognize outstanding accomplishments in marketing and sales throughout southeastern Michigan for 2005.

Two Platinum Awards will be given out this year at MSED's 14th Annual Black-Tie Gala Event slated for May 5 at The Reserve in Birmingham, Mich. The awards will be given to a team and an individual who distinguished themselves with successful sales and marketing efforts in 2005.

Nominations for the awards will be accepted through March 3, 2006 and can be submitted online through the MSED website -- http://www.msedetroit.org/ -- or via fax or mail.

According to James H. Coleman, chairman for the 2006 MSED Platinum Awards and president of jhColeman LLC, the Platinum Awards celebrate the area's marketing and sales stars with publicity and recognition from their professional peers.

"The MSED Platinum Awards program offers a chance for local businesses to acknowledge outstanding employees for their hard work and extraordinary performances in marketing and sales," Coleman said. "We regard these awards to be the 'Academy Awards' of southeastern Michigan sales and marketing."

Nominees will be evaluated by MSED judges based on their 2005 successes in increasing or sustaining sales, utilizing new ideas or approaches, meeting challenges imaginatively, exhibiting exemplary teamwork and impacting a business or industry. Individuals nominated must also demonstrate involvement in community activities.

The MSED nominating committee will select a group of finalists from nominees and will conduct personal interviews with these finalists. Ultimately, one team and one individual will be selected from among the finalists.

The MSED Platinum Awards are co-sponsored by Crain's Detroit Business, the weekly business publication covering southeast Michigan.

For more information on the MSED Platinum Award nominations, tickets to the black-tie gala or event sponsorship or advertising opportunities, contact Meeting Coordinators at 248-643-6590 or visit the MSED website at http://www.msedetroit.org/ .

NOTE TO EDITORS: Founded in 1988, the Marketing & Sales Executives of Detroit (MSED) is a non-profit organization for marketing and sales management professionals in southeastern Michigan. MSED provides members with an ongoing platform for idea exchange, professional development and new business opportunities. The organization conducts approximately 15 meetings, seminars and educational events each year for networking, professional development and scholarship fund-raising purposes.