Photo from the 2019 American Advertising Awards, courtesy of AdFed Suncoast. Check out the highlight reel on YouTube here.

The annual American Advertising Awards remains the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition to honor creative excellence in the area. Conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation (AAF), the local phase—sponsored by AdFed Suncoast—is the first of a three-tier, national competition. Across the nation, entrants vie to win the prestigious ADDY Awards—recognition as the very best in their markets. At the second tier, local ADDY winners compete against winners from other local clubs in one of 15 district competitions. District winners are then forwarded to the national stage of the 2020 American Advertising Awards. 

Open to media professionals throughout Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, Hardee, DeSoto, Highlands and Glades counties, the coveted local chapter competition will recognize the best spirit and art of advertising and communications. AdFed Suncoast recently confirmed the three-member creative panel that will judge entries at this year’s Awards. The judges were chosen from a database provided by parent organization, American Advertising Federation (AAF) - Fourth District. They are brought in from outside the local market area so they are neutral and unfamiliar with our entrants during the judging process. Judges include Matthew Wengerd of A Fine Press in Lakeland, FL; Anne Grigsby of Grisby Design in West Palm Beach, FL; and Tim Boatright, Creative Director at Vistra Communications in Lutz, FL.  

Boatright, who has more than 30 years of advertising experience and has earned hundreds of prestigious honors, including more than a dozen Clio Awards and scores of regional and national ADDY Awards, has worked on everything from major pharmaceuticals to telecommunications accounts and with brands such as AT&T, DIRECTV, Pepsi, Pfizer, Lowe’s, Burger King and MillerCoors. "I am looking forward to the challenge of judging what I know will be exceptional work," he says. "It is an honor to have been selected to participate in this year's Suncoast ADDY Awards team on the other side of the competition."

Judges will review entries submitted by the Suncoast market in all areas of online, nontraditional, print and broadcast advertising. Advertising professionals are invited to submit their work in consideration for the prestigious ADDY Award. All entries must be received by 5 pm on January 17. Judging will be conducted the weekend of January 24 and all finalists will be notified by the week of February 2. The winners are all kept top secret until the unveiling at the awards show on February 23, where winners will be honored at a black-tie gala. 

Entry fees are $89 for members of AdFed Suncoast and $178 for non-members. To receive an American Advertising Awards entry packet, contact Shane Hughes, AdFed Suncoast president at 941-927-7589, or visit AdFedSuncoast.com/ADDYs for entry details. 

Photo from the 2019 American Advertising Awards, courtesy of AdFed Suncoast. Check out the highlight reel on YouTube here.

For entry details, click here.