Ad Agency's Work to be Included in Smithsonian's Permanent Collection

LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- A series of posters for the Kentucky State Fair have put Kentucky's largest advertising agency, Creative Alliance, in the history books. Part of one of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibits since 2008, the posters represent the traditional form of letterpress printing, a hand-set, inked and cranked form of printing still used today by Hatch Show Print, Nashville.  American Letterpress: The Art of Hatch Show Print has exhibited in Seattle, New Orleans, Omaha and Austin.  It opens at Boston University this August and continues to additional sites until 2012 when it becomes part of the Smithsonian's permanent collection.

The three selected posters promoted the Kentucky State Fair from 1997-1999 and featured recognizable symbols including food on a stick and ring toss. Art Director Mark Rosenthal and Hatch Show Print Manager Jim Sherraden co-designed the campaign which extended to print ads and outdoor boards. "We wanted to take people back to a simpler, less mechanized time and what better way than through an art form that dates to the Gutenberg press," said Rosenthal.

The posters are also part of a book on Hatch Show Print published in 2001 and from which the SITES exhibit was derived, Hatch Show Print: The History of a Great American Poster Shop.

Founded in 1879, Hatch Show Print is the leading advertising medium for southern entertainment. Because of its work with Grand Ole Opry stars, it is now owned by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Said Creative Alliance CEO Debbie Scoppechio, "This was a strong partnership when we put it together and we are delighted, but not surprised, that it found its way into posterity."

About Creative Alliance

With nearly $180 million in annual billings, Creative Alliance is the state's largest advertising agency. Headquartered in Louisville, KY, Creative Alliance employees more than 137 professionals and operates an additional office in Nashville.  For more information, go to www.cre8.com.

SOURCE Creative Alliance