GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 8, 2012— Zondervan’s The Story, NIV: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, with over 300K copies sold, has been awarded two regional Silver ADDY Awards by the American Advertising Federation of West Michigan. The awards went to the design team at Extra Credit Projects in the categories of Cover and Photography, Digitally Enhanced.  

“We are just delighted that our client, Zondervan, is getting some of the creative recognition they deserve for products like The Story” said Rob Jackson, Principal and Creative Director at Extra Credit Projects. “Simplicity is always key in a cluttered marketplace and we trust the simple idea and bold shelf appeal of The Story cover design will resonate with our audience.”

The Story is written in 31 chapters that sweep the reader into the unfolding progression of vital Bible characters and events from Genesis to Revelation. Using the clear, accessible text of the NIV Bible, it allows the stories, poems, and teachings of the Bible to read like a novel.

Since being selected by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee for a 31-week sermon series at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio where they realized a 23% increase in attendance, the book has exploded onto church campuses across the nation and internationally, with over 2K churches now participating.  The Story features age appropriate versions for five age groups and accompanying curriculum, and is being used in small groups, Sunday Schools and youth ministries, as well as at Christian Universities, military bases and wherever Bible engagement is a priority. Most recently, Southeast Community Church, identified by Outreach Magazine as the 4th largest church in the country, launched a year-long study using The Story in February. 

In a non-traditional, “blind taste test” creative selection process taking less than two weeks, where the agencies identities were not revealed to the selection committee, Extra Credit Projects beat out two other firms with their cover design for The Story. “From the moment we saw it, we were captivated and fell in love with the two different images of the King’s crowns,” says Zondervan’s Bob Rogers, Vice President of Marketing & Sales for The Story.

Zondervan was also the recipient of two other regional Silver ADDY awards; one in the category of Packaging Campaign for a unique Bible sliding case, and the other in the category of Video Sales Presentation for the NIV Come Closer Video.

Fans who would like to engage further should “like” The Story at facebook.com/SpeakTheStory or follow The Story on Twitter at @TheStorylives and share experiences using the hashtag, #TheStory. For the full line-up of products and curriculum, please visit TheStory.com.

About Zondervan
Zondervan, a HarperCollins company, is a world leader in Christian communications and a leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with additional offices in Miami, Zondervan conducts events and publishes its bestselling Bibles, books, audio, video, curriculum, software, and digital products through its Zondervan, Zonderkidz and Editorial Vida brands. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan on the Internet at www.zondervan.com.