2026 American Advertising Awards: It's All About HUE!
The WJCT Soundstage exploded with color as Jacksonville's advertising community came together to celebrate the best creative work of the year.
The 2026 American Advertising Awards Gala brought the "It's All About HUE! Amplifying the Vibrance of Northeast Florida Advertising" theme to life in spectacular fashion — and the work on display proved once again that this market is producing creative that competes anywhere in the country.
Thank You To Our 2026 Sponsors
Sponsoring the 2026 American Advertising Awards means more than a logo on a program.
It means standing alongside the creative community that defines Northeast Florida's advertising landscape — investing in the talent, relationships, and momentum that keep Jacksonville's industry moving forward. Our sponsors make this celebration possible, and we're grateful for their commitment to the work and the people behind it.
Presented by Vector Media
A huge thank you to our presenting sponsor, Vector Media, for helping make this evening possible. Vector Media is the nation's leader in Mobility Marketing, specializing in powerful, head-turning productions that connect brands with local audiences through transit advertising, LED Trucks, Double Deckers, and custom experiential assets. Their continued commitment to Jacksonville's creative community means everything to us.
Networking Happy Hour
Photography
Lighting
Entertainment
Cheers
Table Decor
Student
The Work Speaks for Itself
From student entries that stopped the room to professional campaigns with national reach, tonight's entries represented the full spectrum of what Northeast Florida's creative community can do. Gold-winning entries now advance to the AAF District 4 American Advertising Awards on April 25 at Kennedy Space Center, where they'll compete against the best work from across Florida and the Caribbean.
As the evening wrapped up and winners walked away with their awards, the energy in the room said it all. This community shows up for each other, pushes each other, and produces work that deserves every bit of recognition it receives. Here's to another year of vibrant, bold, boundary-pushing creativity.
2026 American Advertising Awards Winners
Best of Show
Professional Best of Show
TigerLily for Tavus "The Kid & The Machine" Branded Content & Entertainment for Online Film, Video & Sound
Student Best of Show
Samantha Andress, Flagler College "Zenblend App" Apps
Judges' Awards
Judge: Lisel Larson
TigerLily for Tavus — "The Kid & The Machine"
Judge: Lori Bower
Fors Marsh for Altarum/National Coalition for Sexual Health — "Own the Awk Virtual Card Deck"
Judge: Matt Hasenbalg
Julia Hewitt, Flagler College — "Organ Donation"
Gold Winners
Direct Marketing > 011 - Specialty Advertising > 011B - Other Merchandise
Award: Gold ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Adjective & Co.
Client Company: Insomnia Cookies
Title: Little Pot
Credits: Lindsey Brown, Sr. Account Supervisor; Beth Kelley, Producer; Dustin Tamilio, Creative Director; Ryan May, Sr. Art Director; Cesiney Sapin, Sr. Project Manager; B. R. Keller, Production Artist; Geoff Bentz, Sr. Copywriter
Branded Content & Entertainment > 036 - Branded Content & Entertainment For Online Film, Video & Sound > 036B - Single entry – more than :60 seconds
Award: Gold ADDY Award, Best of Show, Judges' Award (Lisel Larson)
Entrant Company: TigerLily
Client Company: Tavus
Title: The Kid & The Machine
Credits: Brenda Kolb, Chief Executive Officer; Andrew Fallon, Chief Creative Officer; Gina Fallon, SVP of Production; Ryan Patrick, Director; Matt Batchelor, Director of Photography; Varick Rosete, Chief Design Officer; Ben Windsor, Animation Director; Sol Raxlen, Editor; Cliff Englert, SVP of Partnerships; Jim Hoffman, Sound Design
Visual > 049 - Logo Design
Award: Gold ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Wingard
Client Company: Visit Jacksonville
Title: Ale Trail Logo Design
Credits: Nick Villalva, Senior Art Director; Hana Ferguson, Account Executive & Director of Community Engagement; David Wingard, Chief Creative Officer; Natalie Schulte, Project Manager; Ruben Baeza, Art & Motion Director
Visual > 053 - Art Direction > 053A - Art Direction—Single
Award: Gold ADDY Award
Entrant Company: TigerLily
Client Company: Tavus
Title: The Kid & The Machine
Credits: Brenda Kolb, Chief Executive Officer; Andrew Fallon, Chief Creative Officer; Gina Fallon, SVP of Production; Ryan Patrick, Director; Matt Batchelor, Director of Photography; Varick Rosete, Chief Design Officer; Ben Windsor, Animation Director; Sol Raxlen, Editor; Cliff Englert, SVP of Partnerships; Jim Hoffman, Sound Design
Film & Video > 055 - Animation, Special Effects, Motion Graphics, or CGI > 055A - Animation, Special Effects or Motion Graphics
Award: Gold ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Castano Group
Client Company: Whitefish Credit Union
Title: A Full Season in Montana
Credits: Kedgar Volta, Creative Director; Joash Brunet, Producer, Copywriter; Joseph Provenza, Senior Art Director; Courtney McClanahan, Account Executive; Leonardo Artaza, Lead Animator; Derwin Torres, Character Animator; Push Button Productions, Sound Design and Music Composition
Out-of-Home & Ambient Media > 080 - Public Service Ambient Media > 080A - Single Occurrence
Award: Gold ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Castano Group
Client Company: Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville
Title: Legends
Credits: Kedgar Volta, Creative Director; Joash Brunet, Producer; Joseph Provenza, Senior Art Director; Sasha Kovalenko, Illustrator; Joseph Provenza, Illustrator; David Bates, Animator
Online/Interactive > 081A - Public Service Online/Interactive
Award: Gold ADDY Award, Judges' Award (Lori Bower)
Entrant Company: Fors Marsh
Client Company: Altarum/National Coalition for Sexual Health
Title: Own the Awk Virtual Card Deck
Credits: Eduardo Sarmiento, President - Strategic Creative & Communications; Russell Hayer, CCO; Aerien Mull, Executive Creative Director; Colin Barnes, Creative Director; Bianca Paulk, Associate Design Director; Jill Responte, Emily Spitler, Danielle Simmons, Art Director; Sue Raaz, Senior Digital Art Director; Matt Namey, Alyssa Grubstein, Copywriter; Anna Jaffee, Director, Public Health Campaigns; Shona Wilson, Account Executive; Susan Gilbert, MPA, Co-Director, Altarum/National Coalition for Sexual Health; Megan Higdon, MPH, Sexual and Reproductive Health & Maternal and Child Health Program Director, Altarum/National Coalition for Sexual Health
Film, Video & Sound > 084 - Public Service Online Film, Video & Sound
Award: Gold ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Fors Marsh
Client Company: National Institute of Health, National Eye Institute
Title: The Impact of Vision Research
Credits: Eduardo Sarmiento, President - Strategic Creative & Communications; Russell Hayer, CCO; Allyson Hummel, Senior Creative Director; Colin Barnes, Creative Director; Bronie Brunet, Associate Creative Director; Matt Namey, Senior Copywriter; Alissa Liebert, Senior Integrated Producer; Lauren Salay, Senior Director, Social Marketing; Rebecca Ramirez, Senior Account Manager; Camilla Flores, Senior Account Manager; Tiger Lily, Production Company; Cliff Engbert, Photographer
Film, Video & Sound > 084 - Public Service Online Film, Video & Sound
Award: Gold ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Fors Marsh
Client Company: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Drug Overdose Prevention
Title: Free Minds: Toxic
Credits: Eduardo Sarmiento, President - Strategic Creative & Communications; Russell Hayer, CCO; Aerien Mull, Executive Creative Director; Colin Barnes, Creative Director; Bronie Brunet, Associate Creative Director; Blake Hicks, Associate Creative Digital Director; Melissa Pierce, Senior Art Director; Sue Raaz, Senior Digital Art Director; Danielle Simmons, Jill Responte, Emily Spitler, Cody Bartz, Art Director; Matt Namey, Senior Copywriter; Jennifer Bender, Senior Account Manager; Petalia Johnson, Account Executive
Film, Video & Sound > 102 - Advertising Industry Self-Promotion Film, Video & Sound
Award: Gold ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Lytr
Client Company: LYTR Co.
Title: LYTR Co. - 2025 Product Launch Reel
Credits: Drew White, Animator
Silver Winners
Direct Marketing > 011 - Specialty Advertising > 011B - Other Merchandise
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Adjective & Co.
Client Company: Roberta's Pizza
Title: Roberta's Racing Merch Capsule
Credits: Lindsey Brown, Sr. Account Supervisor; Theresa Lari, Project Manager; Austin Ellis, Creative Director; Ryan May, Sr. Art Director; Geoff Bentz, Sr. Copywriter; B. R. Keller, Production Artist
Magazine Advertising > 012 - Magazine Advertising > 012A - Full Page Or Less - Single Unit
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Wingard
Client Company: Visit Jacksonville
Title: Visit Florida Magazine Ad
Credits: Nick Villalva, Senior Art Director; Hana Ferguson, Account Executive & Director of Community Engagement; David Wingard, Chief Creative Officer; Natalie Schulte, Project Manager; Amanda Williamson, Copywriter
Television Advertising > 031 - Television Advertising – Local (One DMA) > 031A - Single Spot :30 or less
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Castano Group
Client Company: Whitefish Credit Union
Title: A Full Season in Montana
Credits: Kedgar Volta, Creative Director; Joash Brunet, Producer, Copywriter; Joseph Provenza, Senior Art Director; Courtney McClanahan, Account Executive; Leonardo Artaza, Lead Animator; Derwin Torres, Character Animator; Push Button Productions, Sound Design and Music Composition
Television Advertising > 032 - Television Advertising – Regional/National > 032A - Single Spot – Up to 2:00
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Wingard
Client Company: Visit Jacksonville
Title: What Is the Flip Side?
Credits: Carl Rosen, Videographer & Editor; Nick Villalva, Senior Art Director; Ruben Baeza, Art & Motion Director; Hana Ferguson, Account Executive & Director of Community Engagement; David Wingard, Chief Creative Officer; Natalie Schulte, Project Manager
Branded Content & Entertainment > 036 - Branded Content & Entertainment For Online Film, Video & Sound > 036B - Single entry – more than :60 seconds
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Wounded Warrior Project
Client Company: Wounded Warrior Project
Title: Melissa McMahon's Story
Credits: Stephen Jones, Producer, Videographer, Editor; Daniel Wind, Videographer; Joey Dickinson, Videographer
Integrated Campaigns > 044 - Integrated Advertising Campaigns > 044D - Consumer Campaign-Regional/National
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Wingard
Client Company: Visit Jacksonville
Title: The Flip Side of Florida Campaign
Credits: Nick Villalva, Senior Art Director; Hana Ferguson, Account Executive & Director of Community Engagement; David Wingard, Chief Creative Officer; Natalie Schulte, Project Manager; Amanda Williamson, Copywriter
Copywriting > 048 - Copywriting
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Adjective & Co.
Client Company: The Flow Trip
Title: Escaping the Belly of the Beast
Credits: Brandon Highwood, Associate Creative Director - Copy
Visual > 052 - Still Photography > 052D - Black & White/Color/Digitally Enhanced—Campaign
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Adjective & Co.
Client Company: Insomnia Cookies
Title: Freshly Baked Campaign Photography
Credits: Lindsey Brown, Sr. Account Supervisor; Beth Kelley, Producer; Dustin Tamilio, Creative Director; Ryan May, Sr. Art Director; Cesiney Sapin, Sr. Project Manager; B. R. Keller, Production Artist; Cole LoCurto, Photographer
Visual > 053 - Art Direction > 053B - Art Direction—Campaign
Award: Silver ADDY Award, Judges' Award (Lori Bower)
Entrant Company: Fors Marsh
Client Company: Altarum/National Coalition for Sexual Health
Title: Own the Awk Campaign
Credits: Eduardo Sarmiento, President - Strategic Creative & Communications; Russell Hayer, CCO; Aerien Mull, Executive Creative Director; Colin Barnes, Creative Director; Bianca Paulk, Associate Design Director; Bronie Brunet, Associate Creative Director; Castaño Group, Video Production; Jill Responte, Emily Spitler, Danielle Simmons, Art Director; Sue Raaz, Senior Art Director; Matt Namey, Senior Copywriter; Alyssa Grubstein, Copywriter; Tamar Levine, Director, Photographer
Film & Video > 054 - Cinematography > 054A - Cinematography—Single
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Adjective & Co.
Client Company: The Cade Prize for Inventivity
Title: Wrigglebrew Fertilizer
Credits: Beth Kelley, Account Director; Morgan Hart, Project Manager; Brandon Highwood, Associate Creative Director; Dustin Tamilio, Design Director; Alex Balosie, Art Director; Geoff Bentz, Sr. Copywriter; Bowie Productions, Videography/Director of Photography
Film & Video > 055 - Animation, Special Effects, Motion Graphics, or CGI > 055A - Animation, Special Effects or Motion Graphics
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Lytr
Client Company: Diadem
Title: Diadem CourtFlo Launch Video
Credits: Drew White, Animator
Film & Video > 055 - Animation, Special Effects, Motion Graphics, or CGI > 055A - Animation, Special Effects or Motion Graphics
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Lytr
Client Company: Sig Sauer
Title: Sig Sauer Romeo Pistol Optics Video
Credits: Drew White, Animator
Digital Creative Technology > 064 - Innovative Use of Interactive / Technology
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Castano Group
Client Company: Haskell - Dysruptek
Title: The Big Pitch
Credits: Kedgar Volta, Creative Director, Technical Director, Copywriter; Joash Brunet, Producer, Copywriter; Joseph Provenza, Senior Art Director, Copywriter; Courtney McClanahan, Account Executive; David Bates, Animator; Memory is a Game, Sound Design, Music Composition
Online/Interactive > 081B - Public Service Online/Interactive Campaign
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Fors Marsh
Client Company: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Drug Overdose Prevention
Title: Free Minds Social
Credits: Eduardo Sarmiento, President - Strategic Creative & Communications; Russell Hayer, CCO; Aerien Mull, Executive Creative Director; Colin Barnes, Creative Director; Bronie Brunet, Associate Creative Director; Blake Hicks, Associate Creative Digital Director; Melissa Pierce, Senior Art Director; Sue Raaz, Senior Digital Art Director; Danielle Simmons, Jill Responte, Emily Spitler, Cody Bartz, Art Director; Matt Namey, Senior Copywriter; Jennifer Bender, Senior Account Manager; Petalia Johnson, Account Executive
Film, Video & Sound > 085 - Public Service Non-Broadcast Audio/Visual
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Kennetic Productions
Client Company: Visit Jacksonville
Title: A Short History of Jacksonville
Credits: Keagan Anfuso, Director; Kevin Dunkin, Producer; Christopher Kennelly, Executive Producer; Dave Lee, Animator
Film, Video & Sound > 086 - Public Service Campaign
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Fors Marsh
Client Company: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Drug Overdose Prevention
Title: Free Minds: Toxic & Discomfort
Credits: Eduardo Sarmiento, President - Strategic Creative & Communications; Russell Hayer, CCO; Aerien Mull, Executive Creative Director; Colin Barnes, Creative Director; Bronie Brunet, Associate Creative Director; Blake Hicks, Associate Creative Digital Director; Melissa Pierce, Senior Art Director; Sue Raaz, Senior Digital Art Director; Danielle Simmons, Jill Responte, Emily Spitler, Cody Bartz, Art Director; Matt Namey, Senior Copywriter; Jennifer Bender, Senior Account Manager; Petalia Johnson, Account Executive
Film, Video & Sound > 087 - Integrated Media Public Service Campaign
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Fors Marsh
Client Company: National Institute of Health, National Eye Institute
Title: Healthy Vision Month Campaign
Credits: Eduardo Sarmiento, President - Strategic Creative & Communications; Russell Hayer, CCO; Allyson Hummel, Senior Creative Director; Colin Barnes, Creative Director; Bianca Paulk, Associate Design Director; Matt Namey, Senior Copywriter; Alissa Liebert, Senior Integrated Producer; Lauren Salay, Senior Director, Social Marketing; Veronica Junghahn, Associate Director; Annie De Leon, Designer; Ali Clark, Animator
Film, Video & Sound > 087 - Integrated Media Public Service Campaign
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Entrant Company: Fors Marsh
Client Company: Altarum/National Coalition for Sexual Health
Title: Own the Awk Campaign
Credits: Eduardo Sarmiento, President - Strategic Creative & Communications; Russell Hayer, CCO; Aerien Mull, Executive Creative Director; Colin Barnes, Creative Director; Bianca Paulk, Associate Design Director; Bronie Brunet, Associate Creative Director; Castaño Group, Video Production; Jill Responte, Emily Spitler, Danielle Simmons, Art Director; Sue Raaz, Senior Art Director; Matt Namey, Senior Copywriter; Alyssa Grubstein, Copywriter; Tamar Levine, Director, Photographer
Student Winners
Gold Winners
Sales Promotion > S01 - Product or Service Sales Promotion > S01A - Packaging
Award: Gold ADDY Award
Name on Award: Alize Cardot
Educational Institution: Flagler College
Title: Morning Masala Package Design
Credits: Alize Cardot, Designer
Out-Of-Home > S10 - Outdoor & Transit Advertising > S10D - Campaign
Award: Gold ADDY Award, Judges' Award (Matt Hasenbalg)
Name on Award: Julia Hewitt
Educational Institution: Flagler College
Title: Organ Donation
Credits: Julia Hewitt, Graphic Designer
Apps > S14 - App (Mobile or Web-Based)
Award: Gold ADDY Award, Best of Show
Name on Award: Samantha Andress
Educational Institution: Flagler College
Title: Zenblend App
Integrated Campaigns > Integrated Brand Identity Campaign > S22B - Campaign
Award: Gold ADDY Award
Name on Award: Samantha Andress
Educational Institution: Flagler College
Title: Tiger Island Sichuan Tea
Film, Video & Sound > S29 - Animation or Special Effects
Award: Gold ADDY Award
Name on Award: Samantha Andress
Educational Institution: Flagler College
Title: E.T. Title Sequence
Silver Winners
Sales Promotion > S01 - Product or Service Sales Promotion > S01A - Packaging
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Name on Award: Emma Gustafson
Educational Institution: Flagler College
Title: Gallery Pieces
Credits: Emma Gustafson, Graphic Designer
Collateral Material > S04 - Special Event Materials (invitations, announcements, cards, etc.)
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Name on Award: Julia Hewitt
Educational Institution: Flagler College
Title: Music Booklet LoveMeNot Ravyn Lenae
Credits: Julia Hewitt, Designer
Collateral Material > S05 - Publication Design > S05E - Book Design
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Name on Award: Alicia Sanfilippo
Educational Institution: Flagler College
Title: Garamond Type Specimen Book
Credits: Alicia Sanfilippo, Designer
Out-Of-Home > S09 - Poster > S09B - Campaign
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Name on Award: Julia Hewitt
Educational Institution: Flagler College
Title: Organ Donation
Credits: Julia Hewitt, Graphic Designer
Out-Of-Home > S10 - Outdoor & Transit Advertising > S10D - Campaign
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Name on Award: Madeleine Glassford
Educational Institution: Flagler College
Title: Eat Everything GF, More Than a Salad
Credits: Madeleine Glassford, Graphic Designer, Photographer
Visual > S24A - Logo Design
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Name on Award: Samantha Andress
Educational Institution: Flagler College
Title: Tiger Island Sichuan Tea
Visual > S24A - Logo Design
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Name on Award: Madeleine Glassford
Educational Institution: Flagler College
Title: Eat Everything GF
Credits: Madeleine Glassford, Graphic Designer
Illustration > S25 - Illustration > S25A - Illustration – Single
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Name on Award: Alize Cardot
Educational Institution: Flagler College
Title: Flagler College Ponce Hall
Credits: Alize Cardot, Illustrator
Film, Video & Sound > S29 - Animation or Special Effects
Award: Silver ADDY Award
Name on Award: Samantha Andress
Educational Institution: Flagler College
Title: Vandal Logo Sequence
