Rinck Advertising President Laura Rinck, right, received the Joan Dow Award on June 1 at the Maine Ad + Design Broderson Awards from Dow.

LEWISTON — Laura Rinck, president of Rinck Advertising, was the recipient of the Joan Dow Award at the Maine Ad + Design Broderson Awards program June 1 at the University of New England’s Portland campus.  

Dow is a strong figure for the advertising industry in Maine. She broke down barriers for other women by becoming the first woman-owned agency in Maine, developing other women-owned businesses, and helping the formation of the Art Directors Club, according to a Rinck Advertising news release.

The Joan Dow Award is a symbol of recognition for outstanding women in the field of advertising and design. Rinck, nominated for the award by her staff, has led award-winning work for hundreds of brands, volunteered for — and donated pro-bono services to — several nonprofits, and shaped the careers of dozens of advertising, marketing and public relations professionals, many of whom are women working in a male-dominated field.         

“Laura is an inspiration to the women on her staff and to those who work with her on community projects,” Joan Dow said. “If there was a Laura Rinck Award, I would be honored to receive it.”