Six Cincinnati, Ohio Advertising Companies Receive Prestigious National AAF ADDY Awards - Including Four Silver ADDYs

Online, June 8, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Six Cincinnati area advertising, branding, and design and production companies received AAF's coveted Silver ADDY® awards at the annual national awards ceremony held this year in San Diego, California, on Saturday, June 4. This is the largest single award year for Cincinnati winners at the AAF event.

Five AdClub Cincinnati member agencies - HyperQuake, Landor, Openfield Creative, Possible Worldwide, and Northlich - plus Lightborne motion design and production studio - join the ranks of some of the most prestigious talent in the country for advertising creative, design, digital work and smart execution.

This news is especially exciting for the local Cincinnati region's business, creative, advertising, marketing and digital community. It recognizes again that the Cincinnati area is a hotbed for dynamic, innovative, cutting-edge, talented strategists, designers, and digital firms.

Judy Thompson, executive director of AdClub Cincinnati, remarked that for at least the last 25 years, this is the first time that Cincinnati agencies have been recognized with eight National ADDYs."
Thompson continued, "By national standards, this is huge for us, and recognizes yet again what we have known ourselves. The Cincinnati area is a hidden gem in the world of advertising creativity, digital expertise, and exciting executions of branded messages."

Cincinnati's National ADDY® winners are:

HyperQuake - for HyperQuake Poster Series
Landor Associates - for P&G Global Handwashing Day
Landor Associates - for P&G Eukanuba Landor Associates
Lightborne - for TYR Brand Essence Video
Northlich - for Western & Southern Financial "Strength"
OnInnovation.com - powered by The Openfield Creative, Inc. for The Henry Ford
Possible Worldwide - for ConAgra Foods - Healthy Choice

Also recognized this year by the national AAF was University of Cincinnati student Thomas Fischbach, the recipient of a prestigious national AAF Student ADDY for his Animation Samples.

The recognition for local creative digital work is especially exciting and timely as plans are underway for the fourth annual (and very popular) Digital Non Conference, Tuesday and Wednesday, September 13 and 14, 2011. The Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza's Hall of Mirrors will serve as the base of activity for the popular industry-wide two day 'non conference,' called that because of its unconventional breakout sessions taking place at downtown pubs and galleries.

Mike Zitt, owner of Mike Zitt, Inc. in Cincinnati, served as this year's AdClub Cincinnati ADDY award competition. Zitt had some thoughts on the excellent Cincinnati representation in the National ADDY competition. "It comes as no surprise to me that Cincinnati did well at the ADDYs this year. We are known for our smart agencies and exceptional creative. This was only a small percentage of the great work we do everyday, without awards."

AdClub Cincinnati, more formally known as the Advertising Club of Cincinnati, is a 107 year-old trade association affiliated with the national American Advertising Federation, the nation's "Unifying Voice for Advertising." The Cincinnati group is, in fact, one of the founders of the national organization.

The ADDY competition is a three-tier competition, beginning with a local competition among AdClub Cincinnati members. Local ADDY winning work advances to the District 5 competition (Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia). Winners from that ADDY competition are then judged at the National level.

In the annual competition, that began with 40,000 local entries, approximately 1400 entries made it to the National level. From that group, a panel of award-winning creatives gave 87 Gold ADDYS, 156 Silver ADDYs, 26 Student Gold ADDYs, and 39 Student Silver ADDYs.
Representatives from the honored agencies expressed their own excitement about this weekend's recognition.


- Comment from Jeffrey Warman, Executive Creative Director, Northlich.
Jeffrey Warman, executive Creative Director for Northlich commented on his Agency's Silver ADDY award. "We're thrilled our work is being recognized on a national level, and for a Cincinnati-based client to boot. It's a real testament to the creativity and innovation that's happening here in Cincinnati."

Warman continued, "Western & Southern trusted us to tell their story through a creative and innovative approach, and we're thrilled that's being recognized on a national level. I'm not surprised Cincinnati had such a good showing in this year's competition. The creativity, innovation and talent here have proven it can compete with any city, given the chance."

- Comment from Josh Barnes, Openfield Creative.
Josh Barnes, co-founder and co-partner at Openfield Creative commented on the news of receiving the National Silver ADDY. "Openfield Creative is flattered to receive our second National ADDY in three years. Our passion lies in creating stellar digital experiences for our clients. We're proud to be part of a city that continues to establish itself as a hub for world-class digital branding and marketing."

- Comment from Mara McCormick, Landor Associates.
Mara McCormick, Client Manager of Landor Associates of remarked after receiving the news of the Agency's Silver ADDY award. "It was a wonderful opportunity for Landor to celebrate work that we're so incredibly proud of. We were thrilled to win two National ADDY awards, and just as excited to see a number of Cincinnati firms represented in various categories."



- Comment from Mary Zalla, Landor Associates.
Mary Zalla, managing director at the Cincinnati office of Landor Associates commented on the Silver ADDY awards that Landor won. "We're very proud of the work we've done for both Global Handwashing Day and Eukanuba Pure." She continued, "And being awarded two National ADDY Awards for our efforts makes us even prouder. These two projects done with Procter & Gamble were wildly successful, and it's creative endeavors like these that continue to make our partnership so worthwhile."



- Comment from Scott Durban, Lightborne.
Scott Durban, president and executive producer at Lightborne remarked on his firm's award. "This video was shot and directed by Scott Fredette over three shoots: Jacksonville, Florida; Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; and, Oceanside, California. The client wanted us to capture the essences of the Ironman Competition and their brand, which I think we achieved. We are proud to have won a National ADDY and be recognized for our work."



- Comment from Hank McLendon, Possible Worldwide.
Hank McLendon, Chief Creative Officer at Possible Worldwide, formerly Bridge Worldwide, commented on the recognition from the AAF for Possible's work.

"Our creative work on the "Healthy Choice "Distraktion" banners' reflects our dedication to creating meaningful brand interactions in unique ways. In addition, we're thrilled to see Cincinnati as a whole receive so much national recognition from the ADDYs. It's a true testament to the innovative marketing talent that we have right here in Cincinnati."

- Comment from Adam Daniel, HyperQuake.
Adam Daniel, Internet Technology Director at HyperQuake offered this statement about winning the AAF Silver ADDY. "We couldn't be happier with the accolades that BirdBot has received from our clients, prospective clients and now the ADDY awards. When starting the project, we set out to create a piece that we could be proud of, that showcased our talents, and that we wouldn't mind getting in the mail ourselves. In the end, we believe we did just that and now to receive recognition at the national level alongside other great talent from Cincinnati is outstanding."


- Comment from UC Professor David Hartz about Award-Winning Student Tom Fischbach.
David Hartz, Associate Professor, Animation Certificate, Electronic Media Communications, Raymond Walters College, University of Cincinnati remarked on the achievement of his student, Tom Fischbach. "Tom has excelled in the Animation Certificate program here in the Electronic Media Communications Department at UC."

Hartz continued, "More and more, I am seeing the quality and quantity of animation students in the program rise. It is a testament to the increasing role that animation plays in the Cincinnati region and in the country. In the last three years another animation student, Lizzy Klein won the Ohio Valley Regional Emmy for an unprecedented three times in a row. Now Tom Fischbach has won a National ADDY. That suggests that Cincinnati has a wealth of fresh creative talent eager to compete and innovate."

For more information about AdClub Cincinnati, please contact Judy Thompson, Executive Director, AdClub Cincinnati, 513.984.9990.