Outstanding Individuals Recognized for Advancements in Advertising Community
WATERLOO, IOWA — The American Advertising Federation of the Cedar Valley (AAF-Cedar Valley) is proud to recognize two exceptional individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advertising community and have been actively furthering the industry's standards and creative excellence.
The first award presented was the AAF-Cedar Valley Impact Award, which is given to individuals who have made a lasting impact on the Cedar Valley and the advertising community. This year's Impact Award was presented to Zach Everman, the founder of Pixel Labs, a multimedia production company that has grown into a full-service marketing agency. Everman has shown a deep commitment to giving back to the community, including running a unique internship program designed to give advertising students hands-on experience and direct contact with clients. Pixel Labs proudly supports local 501(c)3 organizations like Habitat for Humanity and the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley through volunteering and in-kind donations, demonstrating their dedication to the community and the people within it.
"I am incredibly humbled and honored to receive the AAF-Cedar Valley Impact Award," Said Everman. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Pixel Labs team. We are committed to continuing our mission of creating engaging and innovative content for our clients while also giving back to the community through initiatives like our internship program."
The second award presented was the Silver Medal Award, an honor awarded to outstanding members of the advertising community across the nation. This year, Jim Waterbury is the recipient of this prestigious award. With almost 30 years of experience in the television industry, Waterbury rose through the ranks to become the General Manager at KWWL, leading them to the top of the viewing polls. He continued to rise in rank eventually being vice president of operations. He also served as president of the NBC affiliates board, thus influencing programming options for the whole country from Waterloo. He then pivoted to become the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Allen Hospital, where he used his creative skills to pen award-winning campaigns that improved the health of his community. Throughout his career, Waterbury has been described as a rational and steady leader, a valued mentor, a supportive boss, and a compassionate teacher. He has also made significant contributions to the Cedar Valley, serving as a trustee for the R.J. McElroy Trust and being involved in recognizing inspiring teachers in the area.
The awards were handed out during AAF-Cedar Valley’s American Advertising Awards ceremony on Feb. 24. These two awards are a highly esteemed recognition in the advertising industry, as they are selected based on peer nominations from within the Cedar Valley advertising community. They not only highlight the exceptional achievements of the recipients but also serve as a testament to the level of respect they have earned among their peers.
"We are thrilled to recognize these two outstanding individuals for their contributions to the advertising community and their commitment to making the Cedar Valley a better place," said Jordan McNamara, President of AAF-Cedar Valley. "Their incredible stories serve as an inspiration for us all to pursue our passions and give back to those around us."
For more information about AAF-Cedar Valley and their mission, please visit aafcedarvalley.com.
About The American Advertising Federation
AAF-Cedar Valley is the regional affiliate of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), headquartered in Washington, D.C., which acts as the "Unifying Voice for Advertising." The AAF is the oldest national advertising trade association, representing more than 40,000 professionals in the advertising industry. The AAF has a national network of 200 ad clubs located in ad communities across the country. Through more than 200 college chapters, the AAF provides 6,500 advertising students with real-world case studies and recruitment connections to corporate America. The AAF also has more than 100 blue-chip corporate members that are advertisers, agencies and media companies, comprising the nation's leading brands and corporations. For more information, visit www.aaf.org.