The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) recently awarded Chris Freek, Principal of BrandFreek Communications, two 2006 Gold Quill Awards of Merit for Prospera Credit Union and Insurance's innovative employee magazine, goodprospects. The IABC Gold Quill Awards - the world's premiere awards competition for business communication - are awarded to professionals who have proven their communication program has effectively furthered the goals of their organization.

"We are thrilled to be recognized with this international award," says Keith Puiu, Prospera President and CEO. "Effective communications is instrumental to the success of any organization. To be given acclaim for our communication with employees is especially rewarding as it compliments our recent achievement as one of Canada's 50 Best Employers."

Goodprospects magazine is a bi-monthly employee magazine that provides a platform for employees to share professional, and sometimes personal, achievements with their peers in a storytelling format.

"Winning these awards has been very inspiring to me," says Bette Sterling, Sr. VP, HR & internal communications. "The awards reaffirm my belief that much can be accomplished by a small group of committed and passionate people. Goodprospects has an in-house production team of just two employees primarily. Chris Freek designs and writes the magazine, so winning this award is very gratifying."

Winners went through several rounds of judging by a team of senior communicators from around the world. The winners will be honored at the Gold Quill Awards Gala on June 5 at IABC's annual International Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. Winning entries will be on display at the conference.

"This is the second award we have won for goodprospects this year," says Chris Freek manager of internal communications at Prospera. "While we don't do our work for the accolades, we still appreciate the recognition of a job well done."

To win the Gold Quill Award, Prospera competed with peers from around the globe including, Australia, Brazil, China, Croatia, France, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, the U.K. and the U.S.