by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Without advertising, just about all the things we can have or do would be mysteries. The art of advertising and the local people and firms that create it will be celebrated Saturday night at the Florida Theatre when the 2008 American Advertising Federation (AAF) Dist. 4 “Addy Awards” take over the theatre, the alley behind it and an exhibit space facing Bay Street.
“You never know what’s going to happen at the Addy Awards,” said Holly Smith, chair of the event for the second consecutive year. “It’s Jacksonville’s art directors, designers and other creative types. They’re not the usual black-tie gala crowd.
“People in the advertising profession like to work, so it goes without saying they also like to have a good time.”’
More than 300 entries have been submitted for this year’s competition from all media including print, broadcast and Internet categories. Saturday night’s Gold Medal winners in each category will advance to the state competition and possibly to the AAF’s national competition in Atlanta this summer.
Smith said the competition levels the playing field with a panel of judges from outside the local market, and it’s the work that’s judged, not the size or experience of the company that created it.
“Each year, the entrants range from one-person shops to Jacksonville’s largest, most experienced agencies.”
The Addys also recognize one member of the advertising community each year for their lifetime achievements and contributions to the industry. Last year, William Cook received the Silver Medal. Smith said this year’s recipient is a closely-guarded secret that will be revealed on stage Saturday night.
The annual event is an initiative of the Jacksonville Marketing & Advertising Club (JAXMAC), the local chapter of the AAF.
JAXMAC President Gayle Hart said the evening is not exclusively for people who work in the industry. The public is invited to attend and enjoy the evening that will include, in addition to the awards, cocktails and cuisine catered by Chew restaurant.
“It’s an opportunity for people who don’t work in the advertising industry to get an understanding of what these creative people do,” she said.
This year, another element has been added to the celebrations, Hart added. The Jacksonville AAF chapter recently founded a Student Advertising Federation Group at the University of North Florida. It includes students and professors from the graphic arts, advertising and communications departments. Two students will receive $1,000 scholarships at this year’s Addy Awards.
The exhibition of this year’s entries will open at 6 p.m. followed by the awards on stage at the Florida Theatre at 7 p.m. The post-show party in the alley is scheduled to begin shortly after 8 p.m.
Tickets are $65 for AAF members, $75 for non-members and $35 for students and will be available the evening of the show. For information, visit www.jaxmac.org or call 355-2787.
• Advantage Design Group
• Affiliated Advertising
• AXIA
• BroadBased Communications
• Brown Dog Creative
• Brunet-Garcia Multicultural Advertising & PR
• burdette ketchum
• Caraway, Grammel Goldman
• Cindy Wilson Design
• Ellis One, Inc.
• Greater Jacksonville Fair
• Harte-Hanks
• Kohl Pictures, Inc.
• Media Design
• PRI Productions
• ruckus advertising & public relations
• Scott-McRae Advertising
• St. John & Partners
• Swisher & Company
• Terrell Production Services
• The Florida Times Union
• The Kurtis Group
• The Marko Group
• The Robin Shepherd Group
• University of North Florida
• Vivid Media Concepts