2026 American Advertising Awards Winners

March 3, 2026

AAF-Akron held its 81st American Advertising Awards celebration, on Friday, Feb. 27 at The Akron Civic Theatre. The celebration was emceed by City of Akron Ward 9 Councilperson Tina Boyes and featured tasting stations sponsored by Big Eu’es BBQ, The Industry Kitchen & Bar, Saffron Patch in the Valley, and Waterloo Restaurant & Catering.

The event also featured Akron RubberDucks mascots, intermission entertainment by Comatose, and a dessert after-party onstage sponsored by Enticing Cakes.

150 professionals and students from Akron, Canton, Kent, and Youngstown advertising communities attended.

The first Susan B. Kosich Endowed Scholarship for Marketing Communications was awarded to University of Akron student Jamie Kreger.

Of the 158 professional entries submitted for this year’s competition, 16 gold and 25 silver ADDYs were awarded to agencies and organizations which included Best of Show, five Judge’s Choice awards, and one Mosaic ADDY. There were also 37 student entries which resulted in 6 gold and 8 silver ADDYs, including a student Best of Show and five student Judge’s Choice awards.

Pritt Entertainment Group took home Best of Show for 2025 Open Video done for Seattle Seahawks.

Olivia Richardson, from Myers School of Art at The University of Akron, won Student Best of Show for PBS KIDS Campaign.

A Mosaic ADDY was awarded to TRIAD for CAIR–Ohio Impact Report done for the Council on Islamic Relations.

Five professional Judge’s Choices were awarded to the following:
1. Clever for Blind Bear Photography done for Blind Bear
2. Secret Creative Org. for Archbishop Hoban 2025-2026 Viewbook done for Hoban High School
3. Secret Creative Org. for Firefly, Dear Firefly done for Firefly
4. Giganto for Heyward You Look At That done for Coen Markets
5. Clever for Ploom Soul Cyst-her done for Ploom Supps

Five student Judge’s Choices were awarded to the following:
1. Khoa Lê for Thiên (Tee-en) Long Annual Report done for Kent State University
2. Quinn Smith for Keep It Separate done for The University of Akron
3. Megan Robson for Pay it Forward Pets Brand Buildout done for The University of Akron
4. Emily Townsend for Señor Frogs Kids Menu Design done for The University of Akron
5. Mia Lee for Unveiled Minds Senior Exhibition done for The University of Akron

Voted by attendees as having the best tasting station, The Industry Kitchen & Bar won a First Place AdverTaster Award.

Best of Show
Entrant: Pritt Entertainment Group
Client: Seattle Seahawks
Title: 2025 Open Video
Credits:
James Miller, Director, Editor
Rachel Kubick, Editor, Animator, Grip
David Stephenson, Camera Asst.
Kaylin Henry, Graphic Designer
Josh Kuss, Production Manager
Matt Eck, Talent Director
Jeffrey Pritt, Creative Director, Camera Operator
Ryan Pritt, Executive Producer

Student Best of Show
Entrant: Olivia Richardson
School: The University of Akron
Title: PBS KIDS Campaign
Credits:
Olivia Richardson, Art Director, Copywriter, Illustrator

Professional Judge’s Choice
Entrant: Clever
Client: Blind Bear
Title: Blind Bear Photography
Credits:
Whitney Burd
Francesca Byrne
Tony Marr
Adrienne Sabo

Professional Judge’s Choice
Entrant: Secret Creative Org.
Client: Hoban High School
Title: Archbishop Hoban 2025-2026 Viewbook
Credits: Jarod Witkowski, Copywriter
Printing: Paragraphics

Professional Judge’s Choice
Entrant: Secret Creative Org.
Client: Firefly
Title: Firefly, Dear Firefly
Credits:
Upper Valley Film Co., Video Production
Director/DP, Matt Thomas
Matt Thomas, Director/DP
Ruth Yaroslaski, AD
Eric Pennycoff, Audio
Savage Cat, Grip/Gaff
Umami Color, Colorist

Professional Judge’s Choice
Entrant: Clever
Client: Ploom Supps
Title: Ploom Soul Cyst-her
Credits:
Whitney Burd
Francesca Byrne
Tony Marr
Adrienne Sabo

Professional Judge’s Choice
Entrant: Giganto
Client: Coen Markets
Title: Heyward You Look At That
Credits:
Mark Szczepanik, Creative Director/Copywriter
Zakk Heaps, Producer/Director

Mosaic ADDY
Entrant: TRIAD
Client: Council on Islamic Relations
Title: CAIR–Ohio Impact Report
Credits: TRIAD

Student Judge’s Choice
Entrant: Khoa Lê
School: Kent State University
Title: Thiên Long Annual Report
Credits: Khoa Lê, Designer

Student Judge’s Choice
Entrant: Quinn Smith
Award: Gold ADDY
School: The University of Akron
Title: Keep It Separate
Credits: Quinn Smith, Art Director, Designer

Student Judge’s Choice
Entrant: Megan Robson
School: The University of Akron
Title: Pay it Forward Pets Brand Buildout
Credits: Megan Robson, Graphic Designer

Student Judge’s Choice
Entrant: Mia Lee
School: The University of Akron
Title: Unveiled Minds Senior Exhibition
Credits:
Mia Lee, Art Director
Bailey Bee, Art Director
Jacob Hamilton, Art Director
Julia Zollinger, Art Director

Student Judge’s Choice
Entrant: Emily Townsend
School: The University of Akron
Title: Señor Frogs Kids Menu Design
Credits: Emily Townsend, Designer

PROFESSIONAL WINNERS LIST

SALES & MARKETING

Sales Promotion
1A | Catalog

Award: Gold ADDY
Entrant: Secret Creative Org.
Client Name: Hoban High School
Title: Archbishop Hoban 2025-2026 Viewbook
Credits: Jarod Witkowski, Copywriter
Paragraphics, Printer

02 | Packaging

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: Clever
Client: Ploom Supps
Title: Ploom Happy Cramper
Credits:
Whitney Bur,
Francesca Byrne
Tony Marr
Adrienne Sabo

Award: Gold ADDY
Entrant: Clever
Client: Ploom Supps
Title: Ploom Soul Cyst-her
Credits:
Whitney Burd
Francesca Byrne
Tony Marr
Adrienne Sabo

07 | Brochure

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: The University of Akron
Client: The University of Akron
Title: College Fair Brochure
Credits:
Kylie Kreps, Graphic Designer
Matthew Schafer, Creative Director
Alex Knisely, Copy Writer
Allison Pierce, Copy Writer

09B | Special Event Material–Campaign

Award: Gold ADDY
Entrant: TRIAD
Client: Peg’s Foundation and Gallery
Title: Peg’s Foundation Dalí Show Invite
Credits:
TRIAD
Northern Ohio Printing, Printer

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: Secret Creative Org.
Client: BurkleHagen
Title: BurkleHagen, Studio Party
Credits:
BurkleHagen, Photography

010 | Direct Mail

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: The University of Akron
Client: The University of Akron
Title: Acceptance Packet
Credits:
Monica Mussulin, Graphic Designer
Kylie Kreps, Graphic Designer
Matthew Schafer, Creative Director
Allison Pierce, Copywriter
Oliver Printing, Printer
American Printing, Printer

OUT-OF-HOME & AMBIENT MEDIA

Ambient Media
016 | Installations

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: Kagency
Client: HealthTrack
Title: Ginormous Graffiti Timeline Hallway
Credits:
Kagency Creative Team

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: National Inventors Hall of Fame
Client: National Inventors Hall of Fame
Title: Making The Leap Truss
Credits:
Cole Melesky, Lead Graphic Designer

017 | Events

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: Summit County Executive
Client: Summit County Executive
Title: State of the County 2025
Credits:
Marc Smith Jr, Graphic Designer
Rachel Madigan, Copywriter
Allie Goble, Copywriter
Colleen Kelly, Art Director
American Printing Inc., Printer

Out-of-Home
018B | Poster–Campaign

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: Kagency
Client: HealthTrack
Title: STIs are k(NO)w Big Deal
Credits:
Kagency Creative Team

020A | Large Venue

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: Pritt Entertainment Group
Client: Cleveland Monsters
Title: Pregame Countdown
Credits:
James Miller, Animator
Jeffrey Pritt, Animator, Creative Director
Josh Kuss, Production Manager
Ryan Pritt, Executive Producer

ONLINE/INTERACTIVE

Websites
021A | Consumer

Award: Gold ADDY
Entrant: TRIAD
Client: The Dawes Arboretum
Title: The Dawes Arboretum Website
Credits: TRIAD

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: Clever
Client: Barry Dyngles
Title: Barry Dyngles
Credits:
Whitney Burd
Francesca Byrne
Tony Marr
Adrienne Sabo

Social Media
022A | Single Execution

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: Marc Smith Jr
Client: First Rodeo Creative Agency
Title: First Rodeo Mobile Kick Off
Credits: Marc Smith Jr, Graphic Designer

FILM, VIDEO & SOUND

Branded Content & Entertainment
036B | Single entry–more than :60 seconds

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: Secret Creative Org.
Client: Firefly
Title: Firefly, Dear Firefly
Credits:
Upper Valley Film Co., Video Production
Matt Thomas, Director/DP
Ruth Yaroslaski, AD
Eric Pennycoff, Audio
Savage Cat, Grip/Gaff
Umami Color, Colorist

039B | Campaign

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: National Inventors Hall of Fame
Client: National Inventors Hall of Fame
Title: 2025 Inductee Class Videos
Credits:
Andrew Blike, Director
Madison Bitzel, Editor
Jack Becker, Producer
Sam Michael, Director of Photography
Marc Haas, Audio/Grip/AC

CROSS PLATFORM

Integrated Campaigns
044C | Consumer Campaign–Local

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: Sokitnop Design
Client: Penguin City Brewing
Title: Nonna Approved
Credits: Michael Pontikos, Creative Director

044D | Consumer Campaign-Regional/National

Award: Gold ADDY
Entrant: The University of Akron
Client: The University of Akron
Title: MORE YES Campaign
Credits:
Monica Mussulin, Graphic Designer
Kylie Kreps, Graphic Designer
Matthew Schafer, Creative Director
Alex Knisely, Copywriter
Allison Pierce, Copywriter
Paula Rodriguez, Animator
Alexander Ayabe, Editor
Grace Kim, Producer
Anderson Bradshaw, SVP of Video Production
Evan Monsky, Creative Director
Theodore Quann, Associate Creative Director and Composer
Catherine Northington, Writer
Oliver Printing, Printer
American Printing, Printer

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: Kagency
Client: HealthTrack
Title: STIs are k(NO)w Big Deal
Credits:
Kagency Creative Team

045 | Integrated Brand Identity Campaign

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: TRIAD
Client: Totes of Appreciation
Title: Totes of Appreciation Branding
Credits: TRIAD

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING

Visual
049 | Logo Design

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: TRIAD
Client: Totes of Appreciation
Title: Totes of Appreciation Branding
Credits: TRIAD

051B | Illustration Series

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: Clever
Client: Ploom Supps
Title: Ploom Supps
Credits:
Whitney Burd
Francesca Byrne
Tony Marr
Adrienne Sabo

052 | Still Photography—Campaign

Award: Gold ADDY
Entrant: Clever
Client: Ploom Supps
Title: Ploom Supps
Credits:
Whitney Burd
Francesca Byrne
Tony Marr
Adrienne Sabo

Film & Video
054A | Cinematography—Single

Award: Gold ADDY
Entrant: Pritt Entertainment Group
Client: Seattle Seahawks
Title: 2025 Open Video
Credits:
James Miller, Director, Editor
Rachel Kubick, Editor, Animator, Grip
David Stephenson, Camera Asst.
Kaylin Henry, Graphic Designer
Josh Kuss, Production Manager
Matt Eck, Talent Director
Jeffrey Pritt, Creative Director, Camera Operator
Ryan Pritt, Executive Producer

055A | Animation, Special Effects or Motion

056 | Video Editing

Award: Gold ADDY
Entrant: Pritt Entertainment Group
Client: D.C. United
Title: 2025 Open Video
Credits:
James Miller, Director
Rachel Kubick, Editor, Camera Asst.
David Stephenson, Camera Operator
Josh Kuss, Production Manager, Lead Grip
Jeffrey Pritt, Creative Director, Animator
Ryan Pritt, Executive Producer

Award: Gold ADDY
Entrant: Pritt Entertainment Group
Client: D.C. United
Title: Halftime Hype Video
Credits:
James Miller, Director
Rachel Kubick, Editor, Camera Asst.
David Stephenson, Camera Operator
Josh Kuss, Production Manager, Lead Grip
Jeffrey Pritt, Creative Director, Animator
Ryan Pritt, Executive Producer

Award: Gold ADDY
Entrant: Pritt Entertainment Group
Client: New York Rangers
Title: 2025 Hype Video
Credits:
Rachel Kubick, Editor
Josh Kuss, Production Manager
Jeffrey Pritt, Creative Director
Ryan Pritt, Executive Producer

Award: Gold ADDY
Entrant: Pritt Entertainment Group
Client: Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau
Title: Savor The Scenic in Summit TV Spot
Credits:
Rachel Kubich, Editor
David Stephenson, Colorist
Kaylin Henry, Graphic Designer
Emily Richmond, Account Manager
Josh Kuss, Production Manager
Jeffrey Pritt, Creative Director
Ryan Pritt, Executive Producer

Sound
059A | Sound Design

PUBLIC SERVICE

Film, Video & Sound
077 | Campaign

Award: Gold ADDY
Entrant: Appleridge Productions for The D5 Group
Client: The City of Warren
Title: The City of Warren – PCTI Campaign
Credits:
DeShawn Scott, Executive Producer, CEO D5 Group
Mario Ricciardi, Director, Editor, Appleridge Productions
Dan Hobel, 1st AC/Sound Op
Kenny Santha, Production Assistant
Brady Sklenar, Production Assistant

085 | Non-Broadcast Audio/Visual

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: Appleridge Productions
Client: Youngstown State University–Department of Economics
Title: A Moral Economy–YSU Economics
Credits:
Mario Ricciardi, Producer/Editor
Brady Sklenar, 1st AC/Sound Op
Dr. Tomi Ovaska, Producer

088B | Annual Report

Award: Gold ADDY
Entrant: TRIAD
Client: Council on Islamic Relations
Title: CAIR–Ohio Impact Report
Credits: TRIAD

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: United Way of Summit & Medina
Client: United Way of Summit & Medina
Title: 2025 Impact Book
Credits:
Melissa Hamlin, Chief Development and Marketing Officer
Katie Janota, Associate Vice President, Brand Strategy and Management
Lydia Lehman, Manager, Graphic Design
Gaby Laguna Leon, Generalist, Content Marketing
Darion Karam, Manager, Donor Engagement

ADVERTISING/ MEDIA INDUSTRY SELF-PROMOTION

Collateral
090 | Brand Elements

Award: Gold ADDY
Entrant: Baxter’s Speakeasy
Client: Baxter’s Speakeasy
Title: 2025 Event Fliers of Baxter’s
Credits: Timothy Baxter, Multimedia Artist

092 | Special Event Materials

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: Secret Creative Org.
Client: Secret Creative Org.
Title: Secret Creative Org. Holiday Card
Credits:
Jarod Witkowski, Copywriter
AGS Custom Graphics, Printer
Sackmann Stamp, Stamps

Ad Chapter or Marketing Chapter
103 | Ad Chapter or Marketing Chapter

Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: Double Take Video
Client: AAF-Akron
Title: 2025 Silver Medal Recipient Video
Credits:
Jake Ressler, Director
Chad Ressler, Cinematographer

STUDENTS

SALES & MARKETING

Sales Promotion
S01A | Packaging

Entrant: Elizabeth Kaufman
Award: Silver ADDY
School: The University of Akron
Title: Pomona Skincare
Credits: Elizabeth Kaufman, Designer, Creator

Entrant: Olivia Richardson
Award: Silver ADDY
School: The University of Akron
Title: SHARPEN Calendar
Credits: Olivia Richardson, Art Director, Copywriter, Illustrator

S01B | Point of Purchase

Entrant: Emily Townsend
Award: Silver ADDY
School: The University of Akron
Title: Señor Frogs Kids Menu Design
Credits: Emily Townsend, Designer

Collateral
S03 | Printed Annual Report or Brochure

Entrant: Khoa Lê
Award: Silver ADDY
School: Kent State University
Title: Thiên Long Annual Report
Credits: Khoa Lê, Designer

S05D | Magazine Design

Entrant: Megan Robson
Award: Silver ADDY
School: The University of Akron
Title: Static Magazine
Credits: Megan Robson, Graphic Designer

OUT OF HOME & AMBIENT MEDIA

Ambient Media
S11B | Guerilla Marketing, Installations and Events–Campaign

Entrant: Mia Lee
Award: Gold ADDY
School: The University of Akron
Title: Unveiled Minds Senior Exhibition
Credits:
Mia Lee, Art Director
Bailey Bee, Art Director
Jacob Hamilton, Art Director
Julia Zollinger, Art Director

CROSS PLATFORM

Integrated Campaigns
S21 | Consumer Campaign

Entrant: Quinn Smith
Award: Gold ADDY
School: The University of Akron
Title: Keep It Separate
Credits: Quinn Smith, Art Director, Designer

Entrant: Olivia Richardson
Award: Gold ADDY
School: The University of Akron
Title: PBS KIDS Campaign
Credits: Olivia Richardson, Art Director, Copywriter, Illustrator

S22A | Integrated Brand Identity

Entrant: Megan Robson
Award: Gold ADDY
School: The University of Akron
Title: Pay it Forward Pets Brand Buildout
Credits: Megan Robson, Graphic Designer

S22B | Integrated Brand Identity Campaign

Entrant: Khoa Lê
Award: Gold ADDY
School: Kent State University
Title: Design Conference Identity System
Credits: Khoa Lê, Designer

Entrant: Emily Townsend
Award: Gold ADDY
School: The University of Akron
Title: Summit Metro Parks Brand Identity
Credits: Emily Townsend, Designer

Entrant: Hannah McConihe
Award: Silver ADDY
School: Kent State University
Title: PorchRokr Identity Redesign
Credits: Hannah McConihe, Graphic Designer

Entrant: Pria Metcalf
Award: Silver ADDY
School: The University of Akron
Title: Spaw Days
Credits: Pria Metcalf, Graphic Designer