Valassis Recognized by Advertising Federation for Workforce Diversity

LIVONIA, MI—August 23, 2012—Valassis, one of the nation’s leading media and marketing services companies, has been recognized for the third time by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) with a Mosaic Award for its Workforce Diversity program, “ECHO: Driving Success and Inspiring Cultural Change.”

Through ECHO, the company is committed to creating a culture where an increasingly multicultural associate population is welcomed, supported and encouraged to reach its full potential. The program’s mission is to:

• Drive success and inspire cultural change;
• Achieve a workplace where every associate feels included, valued and respected;
• Provide an environment that is diverse in thought, experience, people and action; and
• Enhance relationships with co-workers, customers, suppliers and the community through greater understanding and appreciation of differences.

“We recognize and value different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds in our everyday decisions and actions as we embrace diversity and inclusion in all we do,” said Rob Mason, Valassis president and CEO. “Through greater understanding and appreciation of our differences, we continue to build a stronger community as well as a more vibrant and sustainable community.”

The AAF Mosaic Awards celebrate companies that have demonstrated the success of their multicultural marketing and diversity efforts within the advertising industry. The Workforce Diversity category recognizes companies that demonstrate a strong effort to recruit, retain and promote employees from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds and develop programs that enhance employee sensitivity, knowledge and understanding of the various ethnicities and cultures within the corporate environment.

Valassis also was recognized with Mosaic Awards in 2009 and 2006.

“Valassis takes tremendous pride in being a workplace where every associate feels included, valued and respected,” said Todd Wiseley, Valassis general counsel and executive vice president of administration. “It’s an honor to be recognized by the AAF, the premier voice of the advertising and marketing industry. We believe diversity and inclusion are business imperatives as well as ethical and social responsibilities that are grounded in our culture.”