SARASOTA, FL – March 31, 2008 – With over 400 entries in the 2008 Suncoast Chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF-Suncoast) ADDY Competition, a 110 percent increase over last year, a slate of iconic judges who’ve managed advertising accounts from Harley Davidson to Kraft Foods, and a breakthrough interactive ADDY campaign and ceremony – the evening was one of the most exciting and memorable in the Chapter’s history said atLarge President and AAF-Suncoast ADDY Chair, Anand Pallegar. Over 200 guests attended the annual ADDY Gala on March 29 at Michael’s On East to discover the winners of the Chapter’s largest, most competitive ADDY Awards in Chapter history.
Judges comment on Best In Show Winners - Ryan Hammond & Joseph Vu
By the end of the night 43 Gold ADDY’s, 63 Silver ADDY’s and 78 Bronze ADDY’s were awarded. The most anticipated and coveted award, the Best of Show, was awarded to a student duo for the first time in the Chapter’s history. Ryan Hammond and Joseph Vu from Ringling College of Art and Design received the award for their collaborative efforts on the “bowl.Identity” campaign which the team of all-star judges said was unbelievably detail-oriented, comprehensive and innovative. Two Judges Choice Awards went to Ringling School of Art & Design for their Commencement 2007 and Forty Carrots work, with the third going to a student, Joanna Misiti for her impeccable packaging for the Matcha Tea brand. The evening also marked the introduction of two brand new awards – the SRQ Media Group Innovation Award which went to Miles Media for VisitFlorida.com and the LexJet Creative Excellence Award awarded to Marketing by Design for their Dog on It Campaign, which also later in the evening received the People’s Choice Award.
Lee Gonzalez comments on her Judges Choice Award to Matcha Tea Packaging by Student Joanna Misiti
Sheldon Clay explains his Judges Choice Award, awarded to Ringling College of Art & Design's Design Center for their Forty Carrot's Brochure
Jerry Doty comments on his Judges Choice Award to Commencement 2007 by Ringling College of Art & Design - Design Center
One of the most dramatic, and welcome, themes of the evening was record participation from students in this year’s competition. Willie Diaz, a senior a Ringling College of Art and Design majoring in graphic and interactive communications as well as a member of the ADDY committee said raising student participation was the primary goal of this year’s competition. Diaz, who himself took home three silver ADDY awards, said the innovative ADDY creative campaign (managed by atLarge Creative Director Nathan Pyatte) which included everyday items transformed into messages really spoke to students because they are so intimately familiar with the construction of the overall creative process. “Doing things over and over, constructing and deconstructing, spending hours, days and weeks finalizing a project – this campaign symbolized all of that.” In addition to the personal feel of the campaign, students responded to the special student workshops, their own entry drop off and deadline (later to accommodate the spring break holiday) and student posters and eblasts highlighting the benefits of submitting an entry for student portfolios.
Sheldon Clay wraps the show explaining his perspective on Best In Show winners Ryan Hammond & Joseph Vu entry "bowl.Identity"
“This year’s ADDY Competition was a success on all fronts -- from the record number of entries to the phenomenal student participation and the strong financial support from sponsors like SRQ Media Group and LexJet Corporation. Best of all, the ADDY’s showcased the power of our creative economy through the pioneering advertising our region is producing,” said ADDY Chair and atLarge President Anand Pallegar. “This year’s competition also showcased the diversity of the types of advertising this region has to offer as well the diversity of the corporation’s behind our advertising such as adidas, Cay Clubs and ClosetMaid who look to our region for inspired, innovative work.”
About the ADDY Awards
With over 60,000 entries annually, the ADDY Awards are the world's largest and arguably toughest advertising competition. The ADDY® Awards represent the true spirit of creative excellence by recognizing all forms of advertising from media of all types, creative by all sizes and entrants of all levels from anywhere in the world. The American Advertising Federation, a not-for-profit industry association conducts the ADDY® Awards through its 200 member advertising clubs and 15 districts. It is the only creative awards program administered by the advertising industry for the industry.
