The Arthur W. Page Society announced today that Jon Iwata, senior vice president, marketing and communications of IBM Corporation, has been selected as the recipient of the Arthur W. Page Society's 2009 Hall of Fame Award.

The Hall of Fame Award is the Page Society's highest honor. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are recognized by industry leaders as "giants" in the profession and include public relations legends such as Daniel J. Edelman, founder and chairman of Edelman Public Relations Worldwide; Harold Burson, founder and chairman of Burson-Marsteller; Willard D. Nielsen, corporate vice president of Johnson & Johnson, retired; and John D. Graham, chairman and CEO of Fleishman-Hillard, Inc. and several others.

Iwata's 25 years at IBM and his distinguished work in the promotion of the Page Principles, the seven principles of public relations management advancing the Page Philosophy, has earned the accolades of his colleagues. Iwata is a trustee of the Arthur W. Page Society and co-chaired the taskforce that led to the 2007 publication of "The Authentic Enterprise." The "Authentic Enterprise," is a white paper which examines the drivers and implications of a rapidly changing context for 21st century business and reports the results of a survey of chief executive officers on the evolving role of corporations. The report is a culmination of nearly two years of work and has stimulated intense dialogue across the public relations profession and, most notably, in the business environment.

At IBM, Iwata manages an integrated system that encompasses communications, corporate affairs, marketing intelligence, demand generation for IBM products and services, workforce enablement, and stewardship of the internationally recognized IBM brand. He has led the development of IBM's "smarter planet" strategy, established new marketing and communications disciplines, and driven IBM's adoption of social media and networking models.

From 2006 to 2007, Iwata served as chairman of The Seminar, a professional group consisting of chief communications officers from leading corporations, institutions and counseling firms, and in 2007, Iwata was named Communicator of the Year by the New York chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

Aside from his many accomplishments in the public relations industry, Iwata is also a member of the Technology Committee of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and the University of California's Economic Advisory Group. He is also co-inventor of the U.S. patent for advanced semiconductor lithography technology.

"It comes as no surprise that Jon has been selected by his peers as this year's Hall of Fame Award winner. He is a shining example of an individual who is engaged, committed, and takes an ingenious approach to his work in the field. For 25 years we have been honoring inspiring industry leaders and I am pleased to include Jon in this prestigious group," said Maril MacDonald, president of the Arthur W. Page Society.

Iwata will receive the Hall of Fame Award during the Arthur W. Page Society's 26th Annual Conference in Chicago, IL, from September 13 to 15.

Previous Hall of Fame Award winners include:

2008 David R. Drobis
2007 Steven J. Harris
2006 Charlotte R. Otto
2005 James E. Murphy
2004 Al Golin
2003 W.D. (Bill) Nielsen
2002 Marilyn Laurie
2001 Kurt P. Stocker
2000 John D. Graham
1999 Richard R. Mau
1998 Grant N. Horne
1997 Daniel J. Edelman
1996 Ron Rhody
1995 Jack Koten
1994 Larry Foster
1993 Edward M. Block
1992 Chester Burger
1991 Harold Burson
1990 Tim Traverse-Healy
1989 Dr. W. Howard Chase
1987 Scott Cutlip
1986 Allen H. Center
1985 John H. Page

Copies of remarks delivered by the award winners at the Page Society's annual conferences are available on the Page Society Web site in the Resources section under Speeches and Lectures.

About the Hall of Fame Award

The Hall of Fame Award is the Arthur W. Page Society's highest recognition, honoring men and women those esteemed careers have taken them to the summit of the public relations field. This award was created to honor someone who either had a significant career in the corporate world or who has done something significant that aided those who practiced in the corporate discipline. Their accomplishments include major contributions to the profession, a strong commitment to the Page Principles and a career filled with recognition by their peers.

About the Arthur W. Page Society

The Arthur W. Page Society is a select membership organization composed primarily of the chief communication officers (CCOs) of the world's top multinational corporations, and the CEOs of the world's largest public relations agencies. The organization's members also include academics from the leading business and communications schools. The Page Society is dedicated to strengthening the management policy role of chief communications officers. For more information please visit http://www.awpagesociety.com.

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For more information contact:

Anuneha Mewawalla
Communications Manager
212.400.7959 ext. 102
amewawalla@awpagesociety.com