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Olson today announced that John Olson, CEO, received two major recognitions on June 19. Olson was honored with the Advertising Federation of Minnesota 2007 Silver Medal Award during its annual luncheon meeting at the Metropolitan in Golden Valley, Minn. That same evening, he was called to the Guthrie Theater stage in Minneapolis as the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2007 Award winner in the service category for the Minnesota and Dakotas region.

Ad Fed's traditional Silver Medal Award, which was established in 1959, acknowledges individuals who have made outstanding contributions to advertising. The honor celebrates those who are active in furthering the industry's standards, creative excellence and responsibilities in areas of social concerns.

According to Ernst & Young, the Entrepreneur Of The Year award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. Olson was selected by an independent panel of judges that consisted of Ernst & Young representatives and program sponsors.

"I was feeling lucky," said Olson. "But not enough to buy a lottery ticket - I'm part Norwegian. Besides, any credit goes not to me but to our amazing clients and to my coworkers, who are to a person the best and brightest in the business."

Olson opened his firm in the late '90s when he visualized an agency of the future that shifted focus from selling products to building communities where people want to belong. His "bonfire brand" philosophy has earned Olson tremendous growth - 700 percent in the past six years - to become one of the largest agencies in the Twin Cities, and has expanded its services to include advertising, interactive, brand design, public relations and media.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program celebrates its 21st anniversary this year and continues to honor entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

"Ernst & Young is honored to recognize extraordinary business leaders, such as Mr. Olson, and the companies they have built," said Wendy Fox, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year program director for Minnesota and Dakotas.

As a Minnesota and Dakotas award winner, Olson is now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2007 national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, Calif., on November 17. The national Entrepreneur Of The Year celebration is part of Ernst & Young's Strategic Growth Forum. The overall national Entrepreneur Of The Year award recipient is then considered for the world event held in Monte Carlo.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are pleased to have Bank of America as the national presenting sponsor, as well as SAP America and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as national sponsors.

In Minnesota and the Dakotas, local sponsors include Faegre & Benson, LLP and Twin Cities Business magazine.