SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO—Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro is proud to announce that graphic designer Marc Smith Jr. was awarded a Silver ADDY at the 2026 Akron American Advertising Awards. Smith was recognized for his exceptional creative work on the branding and visual identity of the 2025 State of the County event.
Smith’s award-winning work focused on the visual storytelling of County Executive Shapiro’s annual address. His designs used modern fonts and local symbols to create a consistent look that connected with community leaders and the residents.
“Marc has an incredible ability to take complex ideas and transform them into a compelling visual narrative,” said Summit County Executive Shapiro. “This award isn’t just a win for Marc; it’s a testament to the high caliber of talent we have working behind the scenes to keep our residents informed and engaged.”
Smith joined the County Executive’s Office in April 2025 after graduating from the University of Akron’s Myers School of Art. As a key member of the County Executive’s communications team, he is responsible for the art direction of major public initiatives, social media campaigns, and internal communications.
