Entries now being accepted for the 2024-2025 American Advertising Awards!

Use the buttons in the left sidebar to begin the entry process.

Professional Rules & Categories // Student Rules & Categories

Submission deadline: January 17, 2025

Student fees:
$30 early bird // $35 regular

Professional (AAF member) fees:
$65 early bird // $80 regular // $90 late

Professional (non-member) fees:
$85 early bird // $100 regular // $110 late

Early bird discount deadline: December 20, 2024
Late deadline: January 24, 2025 

What are the American Advertising Awards? 

The American Advertising Awards, home of the ADDY® award, is the advertising industry's largest and most representative competition, attracting over 40,000 entries every year in local chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF) 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 AAF, the local American Advertising Awards is the first of a three-tier, national competition. Concurrently, all across the country, local entrants vie to win an ADDY® award - recognition as the very best in their markets. At the second tier, local winners compete against winners from other local clubs in one of 15 district competitions. District winners are then forwarded to the third tier, the national stage level. Entry in your local AAF chapter competition is the first step toward winning a national ADDY® award.

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, internships, advocacy groups, advertising education, and consumer awareness.

Will the local American Advertising Awards have a Gala this year?

Yes! The American Advertising Awards Tuscaloosa Gala will be held in late February 2025. Date and location details to follow!

Where Can I Find Out More Details on the American Advertising Awards?

Check out the most updated Rules & Categories for both the Professional competition and Student competition on the AAF National website. Check out the 2023-2024 National ADDY winners on the WonAnADDY website!

How Do I Win An ADDY® award?

Selection of the most creative entry in each category is affected by a scoring process in which a panel of judges 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 to all other entries in the category. 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. Winners will be notified via email immediately following the judging process in early February.

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 in the Tuscaloosa market (includes East Mississippi). In addition, all submitted work must have been completed between January 1 - December 31, 2024.

Can Students Submit Entries?

Yes! The Student Division of the American Advertising Awards competition, sponsored by the AAF and Ad 2 National, is a unique national awards program designed specially for college students. Work entered at your 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 U.S. educational institution. Students may 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. Student interns are eligible to enter.

Will We Be Required to Submit Physical Entries This Year?

• The short answer is no. You can jump for joy now!
• Since all entries will be judged virtually at the district and national levels this year, AAF Tuscaloosa has decided not to require physical entries again for this year's awards, so there is no need to prepare and submit physical entries. That being said, it will be even more important to upload great photos and videos, where allowable. For nearly all entries, you are now able to upload five files/images and a video. For example, if you are submitted an annual report as your entry, you can submit photos of the interior and exterior of the piece as well as a video highlighting key pieces of the work for the judges to watch. Since these images and videos are replacing the physical entry, take care in making sure they represent your entry in the best way possible!

Still have questions? Please direct them to Rebecca Royen or Mark Barry, 2024-2025 American Advertising Awards Co-Chairs.