2026 American Advertising Awards
ABOUT | JUDGES | SPONSORS
2024 Winners | 2025 Winners | 2026 Winners TBD
It’s All About Hue!
This year, it's all about HUE! Amplifying the vibrance of advertising throughout Northeast Florida. Experience an evening of celebration in dazzling color as we recognize outstanding creative work from Jacksonville's advertising community. Network with industry leaders during our happy hour, followed by an elegant awards ceremony showcasing the best advertising work of the year. Once again, we're thankful to Vector Media for returning as this year's presenting sponsor.Dress Code: "Hue/Prism/Mosaic Fashion" Pick your hue(s) and express yo' self!
ABOUT THE SHOW
About The Competition
The American Advertising Awards® (AAA) Show 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 AAA 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 AAA – recognition as the very best in their markets. At the second tier, local AAA winners compete against winners from other local clubs in one of 15 district competitions. District AAA 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 AAA.
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.
How Do I Win An ADDY Award?
Selected judges evaluate the winning work through a scoring process. All entries are evaluated independently, which means there may not be a winner in every category if the entry does not score high enough.
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.
Revisit last year's spectacular celebration of Jacksonville's creative excellence! The 2025 American Advertising Awards brought bold creativity to life at WJCT Studios with champagne toasts, red carpet glamour, and a moving tribute to industry legend Jorge Burnet-Garcia—all while honoring the outstanding work that puts Jacksonville on the national advertising stage. Relive the unforgettable moments from last year's gala and get ready to experience the magic all over again this year!
SPONSOR THE GALA
Be part of celebrating and elevating Jacksonville's vibrant advertising community.
As a sponsor of the 2026 American Advertising Awards, you'll connect with the region's most influential creative professionals while demonstrating your commitment to advancing our industry. Your partnership helps foster the next generation of creative talent and strengthens Jacksonville's position as a hub for marketing innovation.
Shape the conversation. Build lasting connections. Make an impact.
For more information on sponsorship contact: greg.mclean.aaf@gmail.com & aafjax@gmail.com
Presenting Sponsor - $3,000
Exclusive presenting sponsor of awards gala
Logo included on all printed & digital material
Recognized by emcee of event throughout the event
One 8 Person Table at Gala with table marker logo
Networking Happy Hour Sponsor - $1,400
Logo included on all printed & digital material
Recognized during the pre-show networking event
3 tickets
Recognized by emcee during the event
Photobooth Sponsor - $1,000
Logo included on all printed & digital material
2 tickets
Recognized by emcee during the event
Logo included on photobooth photos
Entertainment Sponsor - $1,000
Logo included on all printed & digital material
2 tickets
Recognized by emcee during the event
Recognition during entertainment
Photo Backdrop Sponsor - $1,000
Logo included on all printed & digital material
2 tickets
Recognized by emcee during the event
Prominent logo feature on backdrops (other logos included)
Table Decor Sponsor - $1,000
Logo included on all printed & digital material
2 tickets
Recognized by emcee during the event
Logo included on at least one decoration per table.
Lighting Sponsor - $1,000
Logo included on all printed & digital material
2 tickets
Recognized by emcee during the event
Logo card placed amongst lighting system
Student Table Sponsor - $700
Ten students who submitted entries given free tickets to the Gala
Your logo on the student’s table marker
Recognized by emcee during the event
Become A Member And Save!
Our members receive discounted rates on American Advertising Awards submissions and tickets! They also get perks year-round, including complimentary tickets to most events.
Entering the American Advertising Awards supports the entire advertising industry, because 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.
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.
THE ENTRY DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO JANUARY 19, 2026
No submissions will be accepted after this final date.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
All work entered in the American Advertising Award competition must have first appeared in the media between January 1 and December 31, 2025.
PLEASE NOTE: Judging of all work wil be conducted virtually. NO PHYSICAL ENTRIES ARE REQUIRED. It is important to upload a PDF of the ENTIRE document or a video showing your entry to facilitate online judging.
With the exceptions of Public Service Advertising and Advertising Industry Self Promotion categories, and student entries, work entered must have been the result of paid creative services and media placement in the normal course of business.
Entries must be submitted in the CBSA, DMA or MSA where the work was created (as defined by Nielsen for your local market). In the event that there are entrants located in markets not served by a local American Advertising Award affiliated show, the acceptance, processing, judging, forwarding and fees of those entries will be decided by the governing body of the district in which the entrant is located.
For Student eligibility requirements refer to the Student American Advertising Awards Rules & Categories available at www.AmericanAdvertisingAwards.com.
RESOURCES
Download this year’s guide to Professional Rules & Categories.
Download this year’s guide to Student Rules & Categories
Need help? Please email: aafjax@gmail.com