HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation was today awarded the Grand Prize for Corporate Communications in the 31st annual Corporate Communications Awards organized by Keizai Koho Center (Japanese Institute for Social and Economic Affairs). It is the first time the company has taken the prestigious Grand Prize.

The Corporate Communications Awards were founded by the Keizai Koho Center in 1984 with the aim of promoting corporate communications in Japan and each year it recognizes corporations, executives and workers for excellence in corporate communications. The Grand Prize awarded to Mazda this year is given to corporations that contribute to society by understanding societal expectations and reflecting them into their business practices while accurately communicating with stakeholders regarding their activities.

Below is an excerpt from Keizai Koho Center's media briefing materials outlining the reasons Mazda was chosen to receive the award.

"From their headquarters in Hiroshima, Mazda is speaking to a global audience. Their communication activities are strategic, emphasizing their unique SKYACTIV technologies and KODO-Soul of Motion design, and expressing the philosophy behind them in "a story that reveals the heart." Mazda is taking a consistent, company-wide approach to communications internally as well, promoting a philosophy which stresses "your work is not done until you can communicate it." Public perception regarding Mazda's cars has improved dramatically, and the company is gaining an image as a brand that makes appealing cars that stand out from the crowd. Also important is the role they have played in post-war Hiroshima, both economically and culturally, including their support of the local professional football and baseball teams, despite going through periods of difficulty themselves.

"It is an honor to receive this prestigious award with such a long history," said Masamichi Kogai, Mazda's Representative Director, President and CEO. "I believe this award recognizes the steady company-wide efforts we have made to communicate the thinking behind Mazda's products and manufacturing as well as our corporate personality. And the achievement can only be attributed to the support of our stakeholders, such as the media who are interested in our activities and frequently report them, as well as all devoted Mazda owners. Taking encouragement from this award, Mazda will continue to work hard to use communications as a tool to create empathy between Mazda and its customers at a variety of touch points, aiming to become a brand that builds a special bond with our stakeholders."