What Are The American Advertising Awards?
The American Advertising Awards is the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition, attracting nearly 30,000 entries every year in local AAF 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.

Conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation (AAF), the local phase is the first of a three-tier, national competition. Concurrently, across the country, local entrants vie to win ADDY® Awards—recognition as the very best in their markets. At the second tier, local ADDY® winners compete with winners from other local clubs in one of 15 district competitions. District ADDY® winners are then forwarded to the third tier, the national stage of the American Advertising Awards. Entry in your local Ad Club competition is the first step toward winning a national ADDY®.

Entering the American Advertising Awards supports the entire advertising industry, because the AAF and its local and district affiliates use the proceeds to enhance advertising through programs such as public service, professional development, internships, advocacy groups, advertising education, and consumer awareness.

How Do I Win An ADDY®?
Selection of the most creative entries is conducted through a scoring process in which a panel of judges—comprised of accomplished advertising creative professionals—evaluates all creative dimensions of every entry. A Gold ADDY® is recognition of the highest level of creative excellence and is judged to be superior. Entries that are also considered outstanding and worthy of recognition receive a Silver ADDY®. The number of awards given in each category is determined by the judges, based on the relative quality of work in that category.

Who Can Enter?
This competition is open to all creative services and industry suppliers including but not limited to advertising, graphic design, photographers, printers, newspaper, radio, television, web, marketing and communication professionals as well as students studying in these areas. The submission must be work created locally.

2025 Submission Rule Updates
Only digital entries. Categories that traditionally call for physical entries can have up to five visuals submitted with it.

Additions/Changes to Professional Categories
There are no changes to Professional Categories this year.

Additions/Changes to Student Categories
There are no changes to Student Categories this year.

What If I'm A Student?
The AAF Student American Advertising Awards Competition is a unique national awards program designed specially for college students. Work entered at the local level can move up to the regional and national judging, just like the work entered by professionals across the country.

Applicants must be enrolled full- or part-time in an accredited local educational institution. Student interns are eligible to enter. Submit work developed specifically for this competition or from previous projects or student contests (work must be created while the entrant is a student not employed in the advertising industry). Paid work done by a student is ineligible.

2025 Professional Call for Entries
DEADLINE: January 17, 2025, 11:59pm

2025 Student Call for Entries
Early Bird/BOGO Entry Deadline: December 15, 2024, at 11:59pm 
(Buy One Get One free when code “BOGO” is used. This discount can only be used 1 time per student.)

DEADLINE: January 17, 2025, 11:59pm