About the American Advertising Awards

Each year, the American Advertising Federation recognizes some of the best creative work in the country. A three-tiered creative competition, entrants must first compete on a local level through an affiliated AAF chapter. Work awarded a gold or silver at the local level can advance to the second tier, the AAF District 7 competition. Recipients of gold and silver awards at this level can advance on to the national competition, where winners are presented at the national AAF convention each year.

 

The American Advertising Awards

The American Advertising Awards® is the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition, attracting over 40,000 entries every year in local chapters of the American Advertising Federation (AAF) competitions. The mission of the competition is to recognize and reward the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising.

Conducted annually by the AAF, the local Ad Club phase is the first of a three-tier, national competition. Concurrently, all across the country, local entrants vie to receive an ADDY® Award—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 ADDY® winners are then forwarded to the third tier, the national stage of the American Advertising Awards. Entry in your local Ad Club competition is the first step toward winning a national ADDY®.

Entering the American Advertising Awards supports the entire advertising industry, because the AAF and its local and district affiliates use the proceeds to enhance advertising through programs such as public service, internships, advocacy groups, advertising education, and consumer awareness.

The Baton Rouge Chapter (AAF-BR) has been a celebrated club since 1943; and has held the American Advertising Awards since 1955.

 

How Do I Win An ADDY?

A panel of judges evaluate the winning work through a scoring process. All entries are evaluated independently, which means there may not be a winner in every category if the entry does not score high enough. A GOLD ADDY® is recognition of the highest level of creative excellence and is judged to be superior to all other entries in the category. Entries that are also considered outstanding and worthy of recognition receive a SILVER ADDY®. The number of awards given in each category is determined by the judges, based on the relative quality of work in that category.

 

Become a Sponsor

We could not host this wonderful celebration without the help of our sponsors. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact us at americanadvertisingawards@aafbr.org.

Who Can Enter?

This competition is open to all creative services and industry suppliers including but not limited to advertising, graphic design, photographers, printers, newspaper, radio, television, web, marketing and communication professionals as well as students studying in these areas. The submission must be work created locally.

What If I’m A Student?

The AAF Student American Advertising Awards Competition is a unique national awards program designed specially for college students. Work entered at the local level can move up to the regional and national judging, just like the work entered by professionals across the country.

Applicants must be enrolled full- or part-time in an accredited local educational institution. Student interns are eligible to enter. Submit work developed specifically for this competition or from previous projects or student contests (work must be created while the entrant is a student not employed in the advertising industry). Paid work done by a student is ineligible.

The Awards Show

The annual awards show honors the creative work of the previous calendar year. Join us for the American Advertising Awards on February 24, 2024 at L’Auberge Casino & Hotel.  Visit the link below for more information about this year’s American Advertising Awards Show.