The 2008 ADDY Awards


Advertising is an art. And art is all about expression. So what better theme for the 2008 ADDY Awards than Express Yourself? There simply wasn’t one more appropriate so the Jacksonville Marketing and Advertising Club took it and ran with it. Well first and foremost let me clear something up so that we can continue without any confusion. What was once known as JAXMAC has been renamed the American Advertising Federation of Jacksonville—yes, AAFJAX. No duck impersonations needed, thank you.

The name unveiling happened at the awards ceremony along with the distribution of many awards to deserving local advertisers and creatives. The American Advertising ADDY Awards is the biggest creative ad competition in American, and Jacksonville was poised and ready to represent. With around 300 entries from local participants such as Ruckus, Brown Dog Creative and Scott-McRae Advertising among many others, the evening began with a display of all the work showcased in the Promenade Lobby of the Theatre and the very hip Bay Street annex.

Inside the theatre, it was show time! Many a nod went out to The Robin Shepard Group, including the Best of Show award for their Jacksonville Film Festival work. The very special Silver Medal Award went out to John Caraway of Caraway, Grammel, Goldman for his contribution to the trade. In addition to all the other fantastic awards, two well deserving students were awarded $1000 scholarships. Certainly keep your eyes out for Shannon Page and Stacey Mammone. They will be tearing up the industry soon enough.

Ok. With the show over, what was there left to do? Celebrate! Commence the festivities! With our favorite DJ Eric Leffler conducting the crowd with his mad skills, the night went off. The back alley was transformed into a trendy, ultra-exclusive hot spot. The weather was perfect, the refreshments a-flowin’ and the urge to dance spread like a bunch of teenagers at a busted house party. It was quite a night to behold. Old friends reunited. New friends were made, but a fabulous time was had by all. The Jacksonville ADDYs keep getting bigger and better. So watch out 2009!