Marketing and Advertising Work in Cedar Valley Garners Awards
WATERLOO, Iowa — The American Advertising Federation of the Cedar Valley (AAF–Cedar Valley) celebrated the region’s top creative work during the annual American Advertising Awards on Friday, Feb. 27, at the Waterloo Center for the Arts. Twenty-two professional ADDY awards were handed out to entrants for advertising submissions created for local, regional and national audiences. Students also earned recognition with 14 ADDY awards received for their work.
The American Advertising Awards is the advertising industry's largest competition, with a goal of recognizing and rewarding the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising. The local awards show marks the first stop in a three-tiered national competition. Local winners advance to the district competition alongside entries from Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas, where they compete against winners from other AAF clubs. District winners then move on to the national level for the opportunity to earn a national ADDY.
"The level of creativity in the Cedar Valley continues to impress me,” said Jordan McNamara, AAF-Cedar Valley president. "The work submitted this year reflects the talent and innovation of our local agencies, designers and marketing professionals. It’s always rewarding to come together as a community to celebrate the outstanding work being produced here."
The University of Northern Iowa earned the evening’s top honor, receiving Best of Show for its President Nook Gen Z Slang video, entered in the Online Branded Content & Entertainment category. Judges praised the campaign for its user-generated content approach and its departure from traditional higher education advertising.
For the Student Best of Show award, University of Northern Iowa student Muhammad Khan Niazi won for his mobile app Course Registration System Redesign. The judges also awarded a citation to AAF UNI for their AT&T Find Your Everything Integrated Advertising Campaign.
Also honored during the ceremony was Desiree Trimble, Vice President of Marketing at VGM, who received the AAF-Cedar Valley Impact Award. This award recognizes individuals who have made a lasting impact on the Cedar Valley and the local advertising community. Trimble has consistently demonstrated how strategic marketing, when paired with purpose, can elevate organizations and create lasting impact. She’s also served on both the AAF-Cedar Valley board and the Hawkeye Community College Graphic Communications Advisory Board. Her role as a mentor, an advocate, and a champion for creativity has strengthened our industry, elevated our community, and created opportunities that will be felt for years to come.
The complete list of Gold, Silver and Bronze winners follows.
BEST OF SHOW – Professional
UNI President Nook Gen Z Slang by the University of Northern Iowa
JUDGES’ CITATION – Professional
UNI Sesquicentennial Campaign by the University of Northern Iowa
GOLD ADDY WINNERS – Professional
Integrated Branded Content Campaign: Lost Woods Music Festival Campaign by IFC Studios
Illustration: UNI Sesquicentennial Illustration by the University of Northern Iowa
Public Service Online/Interactive: The Iowa Child Care Roadmap Website by IFC Studios
SILVER ADDY WINNERS – Professional
Consumer Websites: Lost Woods Music Festival Website by IFC Studios
Social Media Campaign: Lost Woods Social Media Campaign by IFC Studios
Packaging: Simply Organic Southwest Seasoning Mix Redesign by Frontier Co-op
Copywriting: The Iowa Child Care Roadmap Website by IFC Studios
Internet Commercial Campaign: Brand Vignettes by the University of Northern Iowa
Photography Campaign: Bertch Cabinets Magazine Photos by IFC Studios
Advertising Industry Self-Promotion Film, Video & Sound: IFC Studios AI Video by IFC Studios
BRONZE ADDY WINNERS – Professional
Sales Promotion Campaign: Aura Cacia Believe In What You Breathe In by Frontier Co-op
Brochure Campaign: Wilson College of Business Major Brochures by the University of Northern Iowa
Packaging: Aura Cacia Elevate Product Line by Frontier Co-op
Direct Mail: Financial Resource Advisors Holiday Box by 1Vision Communications
Social Media: Culver’s To Farmers With Love Contest by Map Dot Media
Direct Mail: Prospective Student Viewbook by Coe College
Consumer Website: CFNEIA Website by IFC Studios
Online/Interactive Campaign: Simply Organic Holiday 2025 Campaign by Frontier Co-op
Brochure: Utah Cancer Specialists Booklet by Professional Office Services
Magazine Design: Wilson College of Business Magazine Issue 2 by the University of Northern Iowa
BEST OF SHOW – Student
Course Registration System Redesign by Muhammad KhanNiazi, University of Northern Iowa
JUDGES’ CITATION – Student
AT&T Find Your Everything Campaign by AAF UNI
GOLD ADDY WINNERS – Student
Special Event Materials: Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta by Megan Anderson, University of Northern Iowa
Animation or Special Effects: What is a Motion Designer? by Lee Beauchamp, University of Northern Iowa
SILVER ADDY WINNERS – Student
Packaging: WhitBee's Honey Sodas by Lily Barr, University of Northern Iowa
Outdoor & Transit Advertising Campaign: AT&T OOH Activation by AAF UNI
Digital Publications: Everfuel Visual Guidlines by Leah O'Connell, University of Northern Iowa
BRONZE ADDY WINNERS – Student
Special Event Materials: Everfuel Invitation by Leah O'Connell, University of Northern Iowa
Digital Publications: Camellia Brand Guidelines by Hannah Brandt, University of Northern Iowa
Television Advertising: AT&T "Call Your Favorite Person" by AAF UNI
Copywriting: AT&T Find Your Everything Manifesto by DC Lucas, University of Northern Iowa
Logo Design: Valkade Logo by Madilynn Schmidt, University of Northern Iowa
Logo Design: Escorpión Caliente by Megan Anderson, University of Northern Iowa
Animation or Special Effects: I've Got A Secret by Lee Beauchamp, University of Northern Iowa
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.