The 2022 AAF-Akron Annual Meeting was held Thursday, October 20 at the Knight Stage in downtown Akron. President Brianna Kelly presided over the annual meeting and updated members on highlights from the last year and goals for 2023.
In case you missed it, here’s the recap. You can also watch it here.
CONGRATS TO OUR AWARD WINNERS
Inaugural Penny Award Recipient
Autumn B. Hudson, producer and photographer for Todd Biss Productions won our first Penny Award – which recognizes the accomplishments of ad professionals under 40. Autumn thanked her family and friends as well as VH1 Pop-Up Videos, Kodak disposable cameras and Tomagatchi Pets for her inspiration down the path to photo and video production. Watch her video here.
Volunteer of the Year
Mario Micale, Founder & Principal, Narrative Digital Media, is the 2022 Volunteer of the Year. This longtime communications team member is a rock star and is recognized for his many contributions: creating the video for our Susan B. Kosich Charitable Fund scholarship, pre-show gallery reel for the 2022 American Advertising Awards and live streaming last year’s annual meeting. Watch his video here.
Outgoing Board Chair Recognition
Special thanks to outgoing AAF-Akron Board Chair, Melissa Olson, Manager of Student Affairs at the Myers School of Art at The University of Akron. Melissa has a long history with AAF-Akron. As a student, she volunteered on the American Advertising Awards team. She literally braved a blizzard and honored her commitments to help on judging weekend. Even though she moved away after graduation, she continued to support her local AAF chapter and became involved with AAF-Fresno. When she returned to Akron, she got involved as a professional: serving two years as Awards Co-Chair, two years as Awards Chair/VP, two years as President and two years as Chair of the Board. She’s done it all and we’re so grateful for her years of service and continued support!
Partner of the Year Award
Allyson Bohland, Services and Logistics Manager at Formatech Exhibits, is our Partner of the Year. Formatech is a full service exhibit design company. In conjunction with JD Dumire, our American Advertising Awards Chair, they donated their time and expertise to create and build seven TV display stands to showcase all of our 2022 award entries. For the first time ever, this allowed us to display videos and other digital entries. You’ll see these great displays at the 2023 show!
HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2021-2022
- We won four National Club Awards:
Chic Davis Memorial Award
National Student ADDY Winner
Two Ovation Awards - Gave out our first Mosaic ADDY
- Brought events to Youngstown & Canton
- Attended Akron Pride, Kenmore First Friday, Kent Connections and more.
- Renewed partnership with PRSA Akron and NSME.
- Susan B. Kosich Charitable Fund has been a 501(c)(3) for a year now. It has a Gold Seal of Transparency from Candid. You can support the scholarship simply by shopping on AmazonSmile. $7,500 of $27,500 raised.
WHAT’S NEXT IN 2023
- Always looking for new board and team members to bolster succession and bring new ideas to the table.
- Secure finances and increase partnerships.
- Updated Member Portal.
- Membership Points Program.
- Membership rate increase effective Jan. 1, 2023.
- In-person Portfolio Review returns in April 2023. Reviewers needed.
- Launching a Mentorship Program to connect students and pros.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2022-2024 BOARD
Brianna Kelly, President/Membership Chair
Marketing Manager, Pritt Entertainment Group
Garrick Black, Vice President/Website Chair
Executive Creative Director, Noir Creative
JD Dumire, American Advertising Award Chair
Senior Exhibit Designer, Formatech Exhibits
Owner/Designer, DesignxJD, LLC
Matt Hogan, Communications Chair
Digital Media Account Manager, Kleidon & Associates
David Flynn, Programs Chair
Professor of Practice, Graphic Design, Myers School of Art,
The University of Akron
Creative Director, David Flynn Design
Michael Pontikos, Education Chair
Senior Lecturer, Youngstown State University
Branding Consultant, Sokitnop Design
THANK YOU TO OUR ANNUAL MEETING EVENT PARTNERS
Jacob Thomas Scott
Penny Award Design and Photography Partner
Penny Award Video Partner
Restaurant Partner
Annual Meeting Video Partner
