Win an ADDY®
The American Advertising Awards
For more than 80 years, the American Advertising Awards have stood as the industry’s gold standard, recognizing the most creative, effective, and innovative work in advertising. From local markets to the national stage, the awards represent enduring prestige, rigorous judging, and the highest honor creatives and agencies can earn.
All awards submissions begin at the local level. Local gold winners forward to the District-level competition automatically, and agencies and individuals have the option to pay to foward their silver-winners as well. Simiarly, District gold winners foward to the National competition, with silvers also given the option to pay to advance.
Local Competitions
Each local club in District 6 sets its own submission calendar, entry fees, and deadlines. Clubs may conduct judging in-person, virtually, or hybrid at their discretion. This year's entry links and deadlines are as follows:
AAF Lansing (1/12/26)
AAF Flint (1/16/26)
AAF West Michigan (1/23/26)
AAF Fort Wayne (1/23/26)
AAF Greater Evansville (1/30/26)
AAF Southern Illinois (1/30/26)
Chicago Advertising Federation (2/6/26)
Note: AAF Northern Michigan and AAF North Central Indiana are not hosting American Advertising Awards competitions this year. Eligible entrants should submit to their next-nearest club.
District Competition
For 2026, entries will be judged virtually at the District and National levels. All entries and a complete entry manifest must be electronically forwarded via Open Water by 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, March 13, 2026. Payment must also be received by this date as well. Any club that does not properly forward their entries using the Open Water software and make full payment by the deadline will not be judged at District unless a late fee is paid of $50 per entry. No entries can be accepted after Sunday, March 15th, 2026 at 11:00 p.m. EST.
Professional Entries:
$85 per single entry, $105 per campaign
Student Entries:
$25 per single entry, $30 per campaign
Once all entries have been forwarded for District judging, the District American Advertising Awards Chair will confirm your total and send an invoice. Payments may be made via check or credit/debit card. To pay by card, a 4% Square processing fee will be added. An invoice will be issued via Square and emailed to the American Advertising Awards Chair.
Local American Advertising Awards Chairs and at-large entrants will be notified via email of the District professional and student winners from their club by or before April 05, 2026. It is the responsibility of local chairs to notify their local winners.
Other Awards
In addition to ADDY® Awards, American Advertising Awards ceremonies at the local, district, and national levels may also present several distinguished honors that recognize broader impact, innovation, and achievement within the industry.
Mosaic Awards celebrate advertising that advances diversity, equity, and inclusion, honoring work that reflects and uplifts multicultural audiences and voices.
Judge’s Choice Awards recognize entries that rise above category distinctions, selected by the judging panel for exceptional creativity, execution, or originality.
The Silver Medal Award is an AAF club's most prestigious individual honor. Presented to individuals whose careers demonstrate outstanding professional excellence, service to the advertising industry, and meaningful contributions to their communities. Some clubs may bestow this award to one individual per year, while other clubs may only bestow a Silver Medal Award under rare, extraordinary circumstances.
For more information about these awards, please check out our Resources section.
