Best of Show

Advertising students dominate 2016 Austin AAF ADDY Awards

Students from the Stan Richards School of Advertising and Public Relations won 38 out of 49 categories in the 2016 Austin American Advertising Federation (AAF) Student ADDY Awards competition on Feb. 17 at the Hyatt Regency.

The awards were chosen from more than 30 client campaigns and ads and were categorized as either gold, silver, bronze, judge’s choice or best in show. Nine prominent judges were invited from other top tier markets throughout the U.S. to critique creative submissions from advertising programs located in the central Texas area in addition to grading work from Austin-based professional agencies such as GSD&M, Sanders\Wingo, McGarrah Jessee and djnr interactive, LLC.

Richards School students dominated at the student awards and swept the “Judge’s Choice” and “Best of Show” categories, winning the top prizes in the fields of advertising, design, and digital works.

The local awards will serve as a gateway to regional and national competitions across 231 collegiate chapters, providing more than 8,000 advertising students the opportunity to enter original pieces across the U.S.

STUDENT BEST OF SHOW DIGITAL

 The Getaway Project

“NCADV: The Getaway Project,”
Credits: Justin Perez, Art Director; Nicole Streeter, Copywriter

“A simple big idea that is culturally relevant and makes sense, hitting my emotions in a way that goes above what we normally do daily in this business.”
– Judge Steven Whittier, CODE & THEORY NY

"The goal was to solve the issue of overcrowded domestic violence shelters with a solution that could be implemented easily with an app,” said Perez. “We believe this solution works so well because it takes advantage of existing structures and Airbnb’s vast network of hosts.”


STUDENT BEST OF SHOW DESIGN

Sweet n Low Buddies

“Sweet’n Low Taste Buddies,”
Credits: Matthew Adamiak, Art Director; Allison Burzlaff, Copywriter

“This entry transcends design as simply a visual execution and elevates design into a needed level of interactivity, thoughtfulness, campaign, interaction and environmental consideration. Brilliant!”
– Judge Edwin Tofslie, BUILT


STUDENT BEST OF SHOW ADVERTISING

 Naturally Sticky

“Scotch Tape: Naturally Sticky”
Credits: Nicole Streeter, Art Director, Copywriter

"Scotch tape has an iconic shape serving as a friendly reminder of childhood imagination, crafts and gift wrapping,” said Street. "I believe this series of print ads work well because of their simple visual solves, showcasing sticky animals that everyone can relate to in a fun and childlike manner.”

Originally founded in 1932 as the Men’s Advertising Club of Austin, the Austin chapter of AAF in a non-profit professional association offering networking events, volunteer opportunities, educational support, an active job listing and a schedule of professional development programs. In 2014, the Austin chapter reported 1,895 members.

Marc Speir