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By Lynn J. Richardson
Shhhh! The show is about to begin.
Advertising and design professionals should get ready to grab their popcorn and head to the 2021 American Advertising Federation Awards, Northeast Tennessee.
This year, the region’s advertising industry will be celebrated for the first time in Elizabethton — with a drive-in pajama party at the State Line Drive-In.
The virtual awards show, also known as the “Addys,” will be held on February 26, 2021, according to AAFNET president Sarah Mast.
This year the organization was challenged to come up with a safe and unique way to honor those who are the best in their field, and since being creative is an advertising professional’s specialty, the group came up with the unusual drive-in approach to the event.
The theme this year is “Midnight at the Movies” and attendees will be encouraged to wear pajamas and transform their cars for the coziest night at the movies, Mast said. Masks will be mandatory when outside of attendees’ vehicles.
Mast says she is excited about the event, an opportunity for local ad and design professionals to be recognized for their work.
“The American Advertising Awards is the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition, attracting nearly 35,000 entries every year in local AAF competitions,” Mast said. “Entering the American Advertising Awards supports the entire advertising industry, because the AAF and local chapters like ours use the proceeds to enhance advertising through programs such as public service, internships, advocacy groups, advertising education, and consumer awareness.”
Students are also encouraged to enter, Mast says, adding that they have a unique opportunity through the American Advertising Awards to not only seek and receive recognition from the judges, but to also showcase their work for future employers in the region.
Mast says the AAF has played an important role in her life. “I had been involved with the American Advertising Awards entries through my agency, The High Road Agency, for several years when I was presented with the opportunity to join the board,” Mast says. “Knowing that the position would open many opportunities through networking, I accepted the position immediately. The vice-president last year had an opportunity overseas that he could not pass up, which led to me stepping into his role after only being on the board for six months, and now as the president of our chapter.”
Now, Mast will lead the first-ever virtual awards show which will recognize and reward the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising. “This recognition sets agencies and creatives apart in the advertising industry,” Mast said. “Also, if you win a Gold Addy in a local competition, your entry is automatically forwarded on to the district competition and from there could be forwarded on to the national competition.”
Mast is encouraging everyone who is working in or with the advertising field in the area to enter the contest. There is a wide variety of categories — a total of nine — ranging from full-blown ad campaigns, sales and marketing to film, video and sound as well as public service, political advertising and more, with 20 sub-categories including advertising for all mediums, posters, videos, podcasts, copywriting, and more. A complete list of the categories, entry information, as well as ticket information is available at winanaddy.aafnetn.com
For more information, please contact Sarah Mast at sarah@aafnetn.com.