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 AAF Club (Ad Club) competitions. The mission of the American Advertising Awards competition is to recognize and reward the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising.
Deadlines And Events
AAA Event Tickets Available Now!
The sweetest time of year is almost here, once again: the American Advertising Awards.
The 59th American Advertising Awards will take place Friday, Feb. 28 at the Washington Pavilion. Together, we’ll take a journey through the fantastical world of advertising, and celebrate the imagination it takes to create award-winning work.
More About The Competition
The AAF-SD American Advertising Awards competition is the first of a three-tiered national competition conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation alongside 200+ other clubs around the country. Entries that receive the coveted Gold ADDY for being recognized as the highest level of creative excellence are automatically forwarded onto the next tier of the competition. Other entries deserving of recognition for their outstanding level of excellence are awarded a Silver ADDY, and also have the opportunity to be forwarded on to the next level of competition.
Entry into the American Advertising Awards supports our entire industry; the AAF and its local and district memberships use the proceeds to enhance advertising through programs such as internships, advocacy groups and advertising education.
How to Submit an Entry
Follow the “submit an entry” link below to submit to for our local competition. You will be directed to the competition site to register as an entrant. Review the category list in this document or on these websites to find where your work should compete, and follow the simple drop-down menus to enter your information. Make sure you credit the members of your creative team so that they will be recognized properly in press releases and other American Advertising Federation winner publications. Trophies are personalized based on information submitted at the time of entry. Please make sure all fields are accurate. Submission of entries acknowledges the right of the American Advertising Federation to use them for publication, exhibition, and marketing of the American Advertising Awards competition and show.
The Silver Medal Award
The Silver Medal Award is awarded yearly to an individual that has achieved success in advertising, media, or advertising services that have demonstrated consistent, high original thinking in their field, worked to elevate the standards of the advertising profession and been involved in civic, religious, or other groups dedicated to human or social welfare.
The Creative Legacy Award
The Creative Legacy Award winner is awarded yearly to a nominee (s) that have been a creative leader in advertising design, art direction, photography, copywriting, creative direction, broadcast production, or cinematography with an extensive body of exceptional creative work. They have had a successful career in advertising agency creative, graphic design firms, marketing departments, media, or advertising services, and be viewed as a mentor or inspiration to co-workers. The nominee should have demonstrated a commitment to their work throughout their extensive career, had a local impact on the advertising industry in South Dakota, and pushed themselves and others to greatness, elevating the advertising community through their efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The American Advertising Awards are the largest and most representative advertising competition. Each year it attracts more than 40,000 entries in local American Advertisign Federatation (AAF) competitions, including AAF South Dakota.
The competition includes both professional and student work, recognizing and rewarding creative excellence in the art of advertising.
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Awards given out include Gold ADDYs, Silver ADDYs, Judge's Choice, and Best of Show. 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.
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The number of awards given each year is determined by the judges and the AAF South Dakota board. A percentage of the highest scoring entries receive Gold and Silver ADDYs. Each judge, usually 3 in our local competition, selects an entry to receive their Judge's Choice Award. The judges collectively choose one entry for Best of Show.
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The Gold winners are automatically forwarded on to the District level competition. Silver winners may choose to pay a forward fee to send their entry to the next level. District Gold winners are then forwarded on to compete at the National level.
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Entering the American Advertising Awards competition supports our entire industry. 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.
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The American Advertising Awards has a student division of the competition that runs alongside the professional competition to recognize excellence at the student level. To see student eligibility requirements, please see the AAA Student Division Rules and Categories on this website.
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National winning entries may receive the following:
Finalist certificate—great for resumés and portfolios
Prestigious Student American Advertising Award for all National Gold and Silver ADDY Award winners
$1,000 cash prize for national Best of Show winner
The 2025 Judges
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Jessica Hyke is a versatile art director and freelance designer, passionate about creativity and innovation. She has experience across industries like healthcare, construction, real estate, and non-profits. Jessica earned her BFA in graphic design from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and has received accolades, including ADDYs and Healthcare Advertising Awards. With a strong background in print, she enjoys every aspect of the process, from design to execution, including out-of-home installations. Jessica served as an active board member of the AAF Birmingham club for four years. In her free time, she is a houseplant enthusiast, an amateur chef, and enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two dogs.
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Nikki Villagomez is a nationally recognized speaker on typography. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a BFA in Graphic Design. After working as a designer in New York City, she moved to her home state of South Carolina where she became a full time freelancer. Nikki is the founder and former president of the South Carolina chapter of AIGA. She has been an educator teaching Graphic Design and Typography at the University of South Carolina and the University of Akron. Currently, Nikki lives in Charlotte, NC and serves as Chief Marketing Officer for BRC, a CPA and advisory firm based in Greensboro, NC. She has maintained her blog, culture+typography, for over 13 years.
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Troy is the founder of creative consultancy, Narwhal Stories, and a Professor of Design at Grand Canyon University. As a CW/CD, he has worked in Amsterdam, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Phoenix, and his work has been honored by Communication Arts and the One Club. He is most proud of his team sweeping Art Direction, Copywriting, and Best in Show in the same year at the American Advertising Awards. Troy loves his wife, two kids, the underappreciated genius of Father Guido Sarducci, and one of his two cats. He doesn’t golf or run as much as he would like to.
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Steve “Stove” Knapp is a senior copywriter out of Chicago, working on everything from fast food and agriculture to moving companies and mountain tourism. His 15 years in the industry have led him to a variety of shops but right now he’s found himself at Impact Managed Marketing. Outside of writing, Steve is a musician in the band Horse God who released their debut album in 2024.
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