In a press release published today, it's been reported that The Star, the Mercedes-Benz Club of America's bi-monthly magazine, has earned four International Automotive Media Association (IAMA) awards at the company's annual awards presentation.

The IAMA awards, which are considered by many to be the Academy Awards of the automotive industry, take time to honor writers, publishers and media relations professionals in the automotive industry. 

This year, The Star was able to capture two gold awards in the event, one in the "writing" category for Frank Barrett's 1939 G4 article, and another in the "design" category for Ken Grasman's G55 story.  The Star also took home two silver awards in the "photography" and "writing" categories, one for a 250 CE photograph by Ken Stidwell and another for the March 2005 total issue.

According to Walter Haessner, executive director of IAMA, "The four awards won by The Star are extremely well deserved. Our judges agree that it's unquestionably one of the best-written, best-produced car club publications out there. The Mercedes-Benz Club magazine rivals the major car books in content and photography as well as graphic design."

In related news, eMercedesBenz recently earned the title of "World's Greatest Website" by third grader Bobby Johnson.  According to Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of the Future Mercedes-Benz Owners Club of Paddock Elementary School, "Your car pictures are really, really cool."

For more info on the awards, check out the full press release below.


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


The Star Garners Four 'Oscars of the Auto Industry'

NEW YORK, Nov. 16

The Star, the Mercedes-Benz Club of America magazine, has won four IAMA awards, considered by many to be the Academy awards of automotive media. Announced by the International Automotive Media Association at its annual awards presentation, the IAMA awards honor writers, publishers and media relations professionals in the automotive industry. Walter Haessner, executive director of IAMA, said, "The four awards won by The Star are extremely well deserved. Our judges agree that it's unquestionably one of the best written, best-produced car club publications out there. The Mercedes-Benz Club magazine rivals the major car books in content and photography as well as graphic design." David Cummings, executive director for  the Mercedes-Benz Club, said, "We are ecstatic to receive this recognition of excellence. For years, The Star has been a key part of what draws Mercedes-Benz owners to join the Club. In fact, while the benefits of MBCA membership are numerous, many members feel that just receiving The Star every other month makes our $45 annual dues a terrific value." In the Writing category, editor/publisher Frank Barrett won the gold award for his article on the 1939 G4. In Design, a G55 AMG story laid out by art director Ken Grasman won a second gold. The Star received a silver award in Photography for a 250 CE feature shot by Ken Stidwell and another silver for the March 2005 edition in the category of Writing, Total Issue. Published bi-monthly, The Star features articles and photography by notable automotive journalists, photographers and artists and also serves as a marketplace for MBCA members' vehicles.

About the Mercedes-Benz Club of America

With its national headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado, MBCA counts well over 20,000 members in North America. More than 80 local sections range from about 50 to 1,600 members. Regional and local section events include defensive driving and track driving schools, autocross and track competition, on-road rallies, concours-type car shows and a wide variety of social events. Although the Mercedes-Benz Club of America is not an affiliate of Mercedes-Benz USA or DaimlerChrysler AG, the Club does enjoy the unique position of being sanctioned by MBUSA. For more information, including a membership application, go to http://www.mbca.org or call 800 637-2360.