UA’s College of Communication and Information Sciences Wins Big at American Advertising Awards

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The College of Communication and Information Sciences celebrates multiple awards at the local American Advertising Awards, winning a total of 14 “ADDYs” at both the professional and student level. Every ADDY in the student division went to University of Alabama students.

Entrants included students from the department of advertising and public relations, led by Dr. Glenn Griffin. Students were also credited on work from The Center for Public Television and WVUA 23, led by Amy Martin and Rob Briscoe.

ADDYs are awarded to entrants in recognition of their creative excellence. A Gold ADDY is judged to be superior to all other entries in the category. A Silver ADDY is awarded to entries that are also considered outstanding and worthy of recognition. The number of awards given in each category is determined by the judges, based on the relative quality of work in that category. This year’s local awards were judged by a panel of advertising professionals from Nashville, Memphis and Chicago.

“I really like that the judges are from places outside of our immediate area,” said Amy Martin, executive producer of creative services at the Center for Public Television. “It means that they can look at your work impartially and say that it stands as an example of excellence to a variety of audiences.”

In addition to the ADDYs awarded to C&IS students and professionals, awards were given in recognition of excellence for Best in Broadcast at the professional level for the documentary trailer for The Bankheads, and at the student level for Best in Show and Judges’ Choice, both of which were in the category of print advertising.

“Best in Show is given in recognition to the best student work overall,” said Dr. Griffin, associate professor of advertising and public relations. “One of our students has brought home the Best in Show award in four of the last five years.”

For a complete list of winners and categories, click here.

The American Advertising Awards, formerly the ADDYs, is the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition, attracting over 40,000 entries every year in local AAF Club (Ad 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.

The Center for Public Television and WVUA 23 are affiliates of the Digital Media Center, housed by the department of journalism and creative media. The departments of advertising and public relations, and journalism and creative media are housed by the College of Communication and Information Sciences.