Lothner Produces Peabodys Lothner Produces Peabodys For the sixth consecutive year, production and creative services for George Foster Peabody Awards were provided by The Coca-Cola Company and Atlanta based Lothner Communications, Inc. The creative team at Lothner adopted the theme of "In the Company of Greatness" for this year's Peabody Awards banquet. Creative Director Michael Lothner shot studio footage of vintage radio and television props and composed a multi-layered sequence, which Editor Craig Lovin incorporated into an opening montage for the ceremony. With Lothner's guidance, Designers Dianne Hall and Susan White created "the look" for this year's event, reflected in the stage set, print materials, video graphics, and promotional materials. Editor Kathy West reviewed all winning programs, then selected and assembled the clips that preceded each winner's acceptance. Editor Phil Walker provided audio mixing and editorial assistance.

Peabody Awards recognize outstanding achievement in broadcast and cable. Selections are made by a 15 member National Advisory Board made up of experts in media, culture, and the arts. The Peabody differs from other industry awards, given solely on the basis of merit, rather than within designated categories. This year, 35 winners were chosen from over 1200 entries representing 20 different countries. This year's group of winners included local Writer and Producer George King for his 13 part radio series about the civil rights movement in the South, entitled "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?" Another Atlanta native, Ted Turner, was given a personal Peabody Award for his lifetime accomplishments and historic contributions to the television industry. The Peabody Awards are administered by the University of Georgia's College of Journalism and Mass Communication, under the direction of Dr. Barry L. Sherman.