Knoxify Wigs Out On Big Wig Awards

Check out this great post from Knoxify on our Big Wig Awards, which includes neat photos and our winners' list. http://knoxify.com/big-wig-jig-aaf-knoxville-celebrates-the-unsung-heroes-of-advertising/

Big Wig Award Winners

The behind-the-scenes people of the advertising and communications industry—printers, photographers, media reps, assistants and others—were honored Thursday night as AAF-Knoxville, the local advertising club, hosted its first annual Big Wig Awards.

AAF-Knoxville asked people within the East Tennessee communications community to submit nominations for the “unsung heroes” of advertising and marketing—professionals who may not be recognized at other awards programs like the ADDY Awards, but whose contributions to the field are invaluable. People tapped more than 100 individuals in 22 categories.

From there, more than 1700 votes were cast to select the honorees. Below are the finalists and winners for each category:

Best Online Rep:

· Gerald Adler- KNS

· Sarah Burton- WATE (Winner)

· Marina Prutskova – South Central Media

Best Printer Rep:

· Wendell Burkhart- Union Printer

· Brent Golden- Hart Graphics (Winner)

· Jerry Price – Union Printer

· Peter Ullrich- Ullrich Printing

Best Outdoor Rep:

· Bob Crossland, Lamar

· Jonathan Graviss, Lamar

· Carolyn Morton- Lamar (Winner)

Best Newspaper Rep:

· Barry Jarrell, Tennessee Press Service

· Marti Townsend- Knoxville News Sentinel (Winner)

· Diane Shannon, Farragut Press

Best Radio Rep:

· Michael Brody- South Central Media

· Cory Dickson- Citadel Broadcasting (Winner)

· Traci McKee- Journal Broadcasting

Best TV Rep:

· Maureen Bosch- WVLT

· Kristy Henderson- WBIR (Winner)

· Michael Hodges - WBIR

· Steve Parket – WATE

· Lynn Perella - WBIR

· Betsy Wood- WVLT

Best Exhibit Production:

· Hart Graphics (Winner)

· Skylines

· Print Edge

Best Large Format Printer:

· Hart Graphics

· PostNet

· Print Edge (Winner)

Best Printer:

· Hart Graphics (Winner)

· High Resolution

· Russell Printing Options

· Ullrich Printing

· Union Printers

Best Sign Company:

· Fast Signs (Winner)

· High Resolutions

· Signs-N-Such

Best Fulfillment /Direct Mail Category:

· Direct Mail Services (Winner)

· National Mailroom

Best Talent Agency:

· 18Karat

· Talent Trek (Winner)

· Gage Model and Talent

Best Photographer:

· Charlie Brooks (Winner)

· Dudenbostel Photography

· Andrew Gresham- Asen Advertising

· David Luttrell- Astral Atelier Photography

· Jack Parker

Best Video Film Post Production:

· Elastic Pictures

· HP Video

· KARMA (Winner)

· Radiant Media

· Red Arrow Industries

· Sam Moore. WBIR

Best Sound Person:

· AMG Media

· Sam Moore- WBIR (Winner)

· Chris Robbins- Ursa Major

Best Media Buyer:

· Cindy Mincer – Mincer Media Management

· Amanda Osborn- Media Directions Advertising

· Nina Brown Reineri – Ascertainment Marketing, Inc.

· Cynthia Wells- Tombras (Winner)

· Nancy Turner Wilson - Wilson Group Advertising

Best Traffic/Production:

· Barry Bostedor, Scripps

· Jessica Brown, Rivr Media

· Valerie Lamb- Tombras (Winner)

Best Retouch Artist:

· Brian McWilliams

· Mark Perriguey, Asen Advertising

· Kiera Tippitt, 5 Monkeys Design (Winner)

Best Illustrator:

· Cindy Day

· Andrea Truan (Winner-tie)

· Danny Wilson (Winner-tie)

Best Web Programmer:

· Pablo Alejo, Tombras

· Darryl Ballard, Intensity

· Paul Gibson-VIEO (Winner)

· Michael Pryfogle, Designsensory

· Lee Tankersly, Active Dimension

Best Assistant:

· Hollie Bivens- Hart Graphics (Winner)

· Ellen Brewer- Tombras

· Sheri Dobson- WBIR

Best Up & Comer:

· Drew Dill- Shelton Group (Winner)

· Rachel Kennedy- Tombras

· Sarah Malak – Ackerman PR

Most Like to be My Boss in 10 Years:

· Josh Loebner- Design Sensory

· Meredith Priest- Shelton Group

· Dooley Tombras- Tombras (Winner)

AAF-Knoxville congratulates all the finalists and winners. To learn more, visit www.aafknoxville.com.

Big Wig Awards Thursday!

Program Celebrates the “Unsung Heroes” of Communications Thursday, October 28, at Latitude 35; All Communications Professionals Welcome To Attend

KNOXVILLE (October 25, 2010)—They’re the behind-the-scenes people—printers, photographers, media reps, assistants—that make great advertising happen. And they don’t get the recognition they deserve.

But on Thursday, October 28, they’ll get their turn in the limelight, thanks to the “Big Wig” Awards Program hosted by AAF-Knoxville, the local advertising professionals’ club.

AAF-Knoxville asked people within the East Tennessee communications community to submit nominations for the “unsung heroes” of advertising and marketing. People tapped more than 100 individuals in 22 categories and finalists were chosen. From there, more than 1700 votes were cast to select the honorees. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at Latitude 35 on Thursday, October 28, from 6 to 8 pm.

A list of the finalists can be viewed www.aafknox.com/bigwig.

“These are immensely talented, creative, dedicated people. They don’t have the celebrity of some folks in our business, but their roles are vital,” said Brian Potter, President of AAF Knoxville. “And I think it’s very exciting that their peers have selected them to be honored for their great work.”

The awards ceremony is open to all people involved in advertising and communications—including students at local colleges and universities. Cost is $35 per person for professionals; $20 per student. Reservations can be made at www.aafknox.com/bigwig or by visiting AAF-Knoxville on Facebook.

BigWig Voting Begins

For the last few weeks, we've been soliciting nominations for AAF-Knoxville's first annual Big Wig Awards. The nominations are in--more than 100--total, and the finalists have been selected.

Now it's time to make your voice hear.

Cast your vote for your favorite Big Wig Award nominees by visiting http://aafknoxville.wufoo.com/forms/big-wig-online-nominations/. We'll tally the results, and on October 28 at Latitude 35, we'll celebrate with an awards ceremony and a great pre-halloween party.

Get more details at www.aafknox.com/bigwig.

September 23 Luncheon: Building and Selling a Brand Image

"Unfortunately, the concept of 'branding' has been diluted into meaningless business jargon," says Chris Houchens, our September speaker. But that doesn't mean that sound branding fundamentals are any less important.

The author of Brand Zeitgeist, Houchens will showcase the importance of developing and maintaining a brand for marketing supremacy. His lively session will feature several real world branding hits and misses.

Houchens is a marketing speaker and author. He has spent years working in both media and marketing including as the operations manager of a radio group, as the online director of a newspaper, and as the marketing director of a healthcare organization.

In addition to speaking to groups around the world about common sense marketing, Chris has been blogging his insights on marketing since 2005. The Shotgun Marketing Blog has been listed as a top marketing blog by several ranking lists. Read it at http://ShotgunConcepts.com

Wiggin' Out

AAF-Knoxville's Big Wig Awards Recognize the "Unsung Heroes" of Advertising

You know who they are--the people who save your bacon on a regular basis. If you're in the communications business, you have plenty of them.

Assistants. Printers. Media reps. Even teachers.

And finally, there's a chance to give these people the credit they deserve. AAF Knoxville's Big Wig Awards were created to celebrate the people who maybe don't get ADDY or creative awards, but who are instrumental in others getting them.

Check out our new microsite, www.aafknox.com/bigwig to see more, and to nominate some of those people you know should be honored. Then, on October 28, we'll host an amazing party and bring the "unsung heroes" of our business to the forefront, giving them long-overdue props for hard work.

I'm betting every one of them gets a standing ovation.

Putting Fun Back Into TV Premiers

Way back in the day, when there were just three major networks, Fall TV premier party season was a big, big deal. Stations went all out, wineing and dining agencies and advertisers with private riverboat trips, casino nights, and celebrity appearances. At one NBC affiliate party, you could go shake hands with Golden Girls Estelle Getty (when she was still alive) and Betty White (when she was merely old).

That same event (when NBC was at the top of the ratings) featured a magic performance by Harry Anderson that blew everybody away, causing one guy in the audience to even say "I want to have his baby!"

The world has changed, and the big galas are a thing of the past. But that doesn't mean you can't have some TV premier fun--and get the scoop on all the new shows.

AAF Knoxville has conspired with all the major networks and cable stations to produce the 2010 Fall TV Premier Event on Wednesday, August 26, at Johnny Carino's in West Knoxville (Lovell and Parkside). From 4-6, we'll network and see presentation from the networks on their Fall fare, then be done in time for people to head home or out with colleagues and clients for elaborate MadMen-style dinners (relax, though--what happens at AdFed, stays at AdFed).

It's always fun, and we've shaped this year's event based on input from the Knoxville ad community. Come join us--get the knowledge you need about Fall TV all in one place (the ONLY event where all networks are represented), and converse with some of the most interesting people you'll ever meet in your life.

Click here to make your online reservation. (NOTE: The link is for single RSVPs. If you have a group that needs to register with a single payment, please contact Sarah Mills at 865-684-0287.

May Non-Profit:

Our May non-profit organization to recognize is FISH, which actually is a series of groups focused on ending hunger.

In fact, the organization is so efficient that a simple $5 donation can feed a family of four for three days.

The FISH organization is divided into several segments. Simply stated, there's the "delivery" part (FISH) and the "come get it" part (FISH Hospitality Pantries).

In addition, there is a group for young people to learn and assist in any way they see fit (Schools of FISH). And there is the Friends of FISH, made of people who conduct fundraising and special events.

FISH is a 100% volunteer organization. There are no paid employees. Every cent donated goes directly to purchase food or pay for the transportation to get food to Knoxville.

To learn more, visit these websites:

www.schoolsoffish.org

www.fishpantry.org/index.php

www.discoveret.org/fishkc/websites.htm

We're Not Asking You To Be Part of the Revolution. You Already Are.

Our topic for the AAF-Knoxville luncheon this Thursday is "Media Revolution." Guy Jacobssen, VP of Media Services at The Tombras Group will lead a discussion of change in the media marketplace, and cover issues that anyone involved with media--sales reps, media buyers and planners, business owners--need to understand to adapt to changes.

New media is the buzz, but the 800 pound gorilla is still TV. Radio has lots of new perks. Outdoor isn't static. And print reaches people who still have money to spend.

The dynamics continue to change, and knowing what's truly going on can mean the difference between the right--or wrong--choices.

You can participate in the conversation, too. If you have questions that you'd like to ask, use the form on our website to let us know. We've been gathering questions from media professionals around the area, so this promises to be a very powerful gathering.

District 7 ADDY® Awards Results: AAF-Knoxville Receives Most “Gold”

Congratulations to Hornsby Brand Design, Pellissippi State student Cordelia Norris and The Tombras Group for winning 2010 American Advertising Federation District 7 ADDY® Awards. AAF-Knoxville received the most District Gold ADDY® Awards of any chapter in our five-state region, which includes Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee! All of the Gold winners will now move up to the final national tier of the competition – winners will be announced on June 12. With more than 60,000 entries from 200 chapters, the ADDY® Awards are the nation's largest recognition of creative excellence.

District Gold ADDY® Awards:

• Hornsby Brand Design: “Mercy Hill” Website for Mercy Hill Church
• Pellissippi State Student Cordelia Norris for “Upside Studio”
• The Tombras Group: “Buzzed Creeps” Online Spot Animation for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• The Tombras Group: “Big Monster Attacks” Online Spot for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• The Tombras Group: “Big Monster Strikes Back” Website for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• The Tombras Group: “Big Monster Strikes Back” Online Spot for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• The Tombras Group: “Creeps Website Animation” for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• The Tombras Group: “Hell On Water” Website Homepage Image for Zodiac Boats
• The Tombras Group: “Helping Hand” Print Ad for the Smoky Mountain Convention & Visitors Bureau (3 Awards Received)
• The Tombras Group: “Low Impact Vacation-Tent” Print Ad for the Smoky Mountain Convention & Visitors Bureau (3 Awards Received)
• The Tombras Group: “Low Impact Vacation-Horses” Print Ad for the Smoky Mountain Convention & Visitors Bureau
• The Tombras Group: “Low Impact Vacation Print Campaign” for the Smoky Mountain Convention & Visitors Bureau
• The Tombras Group: “Nailed TV Spot” for the Tennessee Department of Transportation (3 Awards Received)
• The Tombras Group: “Nailed Non-Traditional Campaign” for the Tennessee Department of Transportation
• The Tombras Group: “Shoe Multimedia Campaign” for Bank of Tennessee

District Silver ADDY® Awards:

• The Tombras Group: “Busted” Online Spot for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• The Tombras Group: “Online Creeps Spot Animation” for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• The Tombras Group: “Hope Gala Invitation” for the American Cancer Society
• The Tombras Group: “Love Your Money Multimedia Campaign” for the University of Tennessee
• The Tombras Group: “Pig Maze” Print Ad for the Smoky Mountain Convention & Visitors Bureau
• The Tombras Group: “Save More Souls” Website Homepage for Zodiac Boats
• The Tombras Group: “Skating Rocks” TV Spot for Bristol Motor Speedway

April Featured Non-Profit: Friends of Literacy

Each month, AAF-Knoxville features a local non-profit organization as part of its lunch meetings. For April, we're delighted to welcome Melissa Nance, Executive Director for Friends of Literacy.

Since 1991 Friends of Literacy has been the voice of the illiterate.

Friends of Literacy is:

• Private (not government operated)
• Independent (not part of a school system)
• Not-for-Profit
• Local (Serving only Knox County)
• Governed by a volunteer board of local corporate and community leaders
• Is supported by members (individual and corporate donations)
• Supported by local, regional, state, and national foundations and granting agencies

We support programs that offer year-round daytime and evening adult education classes.

Our Goal: To provide funding and volunteers that support basic education and life-skill training to adult students, helping them to become better workers, parents, and citizens.

What is Literacy? "Literacy means an individual's ability to read, write, and speak English, and to compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job and in society, to achieve one's goals and develop one's knowledge and potential." - National Literacy Act 1991

Benefits of Literacy:

• Better job opportunities, increased earnings
• Educational advancement
• Decreases intergenerational cycle of poverty
• Raises workforce effectiveness
• Increases civic participation

To learn more, visit www.friendsofliteracy.org.

March Featured Non-Profit: Laurel High School

AAF-Knoxville has begun a program whereby we invited area non-profit organizations to our lunch meetings for a brief presentation on their services and efforts. For March, we're featuring Laurel High School.

Since 1971, Laurel High School has offered an option for students with curiosity, energy, and independence of spirit. Students are prepared to make sound decisions after graduation because they have had ample opportunity to make decisions while at Laurel. They help shape school policies, pursue their individual interests, and help determine their own class schedules.

Students come to Laurel for a variety of reasons:

• what they want is not available in other schools.
• they desire more stimulating classes.
• they want more input in determining their own classes .
• they appreciate the increased opportunities and attention that are made possible by small classes in a small school.
• their experience includes life lessons as well as academic studies.
• a student can make mistakes in a supportive environment.
• individuals are valued even when painful mistakes are made.
• the consequences of their actions at Laurel are natural rather than arbitrary.
• rules are limited to only those necessary for a framework within which the school must operate or to those basic to the school’s fundamental philosophy.
• the faculty, staff and Board of Directors share Laurel’s philosophy and are committed to the school and its students.

To learn more, visit www.laurelhighschool.org.

Knoxville ADDY® Awards Article

Congrats again to all of the 45th Annual Knoxville ADDY® Awards winners. We got some nice ink (and pixels) today in the Knoxville News Sentinel. Click here to view it.

ADDY® Awards Recap

Follow this link to check out a nice recap of the past weekend's AAF-Knoxville ADDY® Awards: http://aafknoxville.com/addys.

You'll also find downloads that display all winners and "Best of Shows", including this year's President's Award, Silver Medal recipient and our Hall of Fame inductees.

What's Everyone Wearing to the ADDYs?

The ADDYs are a celebration in creativity--both in communications work and costume. And the ADDYs gala this Saturday night will feature the best of both.

NOTE: A few tickets are still available. Get details at www.aafknoxville.com/addys.

What will people be wearing? Here are a few rumors so far:

• One major agency promises a "white-out," and even suggests that they might have a sponsor in Chlorox bleach.
  
  
• Another innovative individual says her dress has "pockets." To hold all her awards? Or to steal food? Time will tell.
  
  
• Someone else says that patent leather ties are not dead.
  
  
• Another thinks that Don Draper will seem a little shabby in comparison.
  
  
• And still someone else predicts that at least one person there will be wearing bowling shoes.

It's all less that 48 hours away now.

ADDYs Reservations Due Today

If you haven't already made your reservations for this Saturday's ADDYs gala (the biggest celebration of creative work in East Tennessee, and arguably its best party), you need to do so today.

Just follow this link to the ADDYs page, and join the fun. You really don't want to miss this year's event.

ADDYs Highlight: Robert McCabe Silver Medal

The ADDYs recognize excellence in many ways. One highlight each year is the naming of the winner of the Robert MeCabe Silver Medal.

The Robert McCabe Silver Medal is a national AAF honor given to the person who has shown

excellence and creativity in advertising for his or her company, community, and the industry as a

whole. The winner is selected from a group of nominees that has been reviewed and evaluated by past presidents of AAF-Knoxville. Over the years, the winners have represented many of the most respected people ever to serve in the communications profession in East Tennessee.

Who will 2010's winner be? Come to the ADDYs on February 20 and see. (INSIDER's NOTE: You'll definitely agree with the selection.)

Make your reservation for the ADDYs here.

Past Winners of the Robert McCabe Silver Medal:

1965: Charlie Haun, Cummings Outdoor

1966: Charlie Davis, Davis Newman Payne

1967: Roger Daley, Knoxville News Sentinel

1972: Neal Branch, WBIR-TV10

1974: Sam Newman, Davis Newman Payne

1976: Janet Dawson, WATE-TV6

1977: Gil Champagne, Knoxville News Sentinel

1978: Kenneth Hodge, Hodge Printing

1979: Richard Joel, University of Tennessee

1980: Liz Tombras, WBIR-TV10

1981: John Payne, Davis Newman Payne

1982: Bobby Denton, WIVK

1983: Bud Brooks, Ford Brooks Agency

1984: Jim Dick, Dick Broadcasting

1985: Charles Tombras Sr., The Tombras Group

1986: Jim Hart, WBIR-TV10

1987: Don McNeil, Tennessee Press Assoc.

1988: Lynn Leopper, WBIR-TV10

1989: Marvin Jack Kress, Kress Agency

1990: Ty McCloud, WATE-TV6

1991: Dick Meshendorf, Home Federal Bank

1992: Pat Wilson, WATE-TV6

1993: Ross Bagwell, Sr., Bagwell Productions

1994: Steve Dean, WBIR-TV10

1995: Dorothy Smith, Smith Marketing

1996: Jim Earley, Earley & Assoc.

1997: Shelba Murphy, Knoxville News Sentinel

1998: Charles Tombras Jr., The Tombras Group

1999: Tom Rowland, Rowland Productions

2000: Ann Staup, Direct Mail Services

2001: Chris Wise, Lancaster Consulting Group

2002: Ann Proud, Media Directions

2003: Ed Brantley, Citadel Broadcasting

2004: Curtis Parham, CP Productions

2005: Sam Littleton, WBIR-TV

2006: Terry Gillingham, South Central Communications

2007: Buddy McLean, Davis Newman Payne

2008: Carolyn Morton, Lamar Advertising

2009: Lisa Duncan, Dogwood Arts Festival

Congrats!

Congrats to the following Greater Knoxville companies who entered the nation's largest creative competition and are ADDY® winners. We hope to see you at the celebration on Saturday, February 20, where we honor the creative produced in East Tennessee during 2009 - we're also going to honor four local industry icons. Did we mention it's the biggest party of the year? Click here for event details.

• AAF Knoxville
• Blue Media Boutique
• Bluegill Creative
• Dave Moore Studios
• Dean Hitt & Associates
• Designsensory
• DoubleJay Creative
• Drive Thru Ideas
• Hornsby Brand Design
• Karma, Inc.
• Orange Apple Branding Boutique
• Pellissippi State Student Cordelia Norris
• Pellissippi State Student Kurt Taylor
• Pyxl
• South Central Media
• TeamHealth
• The Bingham Group, Inc.
• The Tombras Group
• The Visible Group
• Tombras Interactive
  
• TradeMark Advertising
• UT College of Engineering

It's Only The Biggest Party of the Year

Please join the American Advertising Federation of Knoxville as we honor and celebrate the creative produced in East Tennessee during 2009.

This event will be the year’s largest gathering of advertising, marketing, creative, media, and production professionals.

Also, we will induct three local advertising icons into the AAF-Knoxville Hall of Fame and award one individual the National Robert McCabe Silver Medal.

Saturday, February 20, 2010
Crowne Plaza Hotel
401 West Summit Hill Drive
Knoxville, TN 37902

6pm: Reception & The Gallery of Work
7pm: Dinner & ADDY® Show
Attire: Black Tie

THE GALLERY: Network and peruse the displays of all submitted print work

THREE-COURSE PLATED DINNER

ENTERTAINMENT: Tracey Ozier

RSVP by Tuesday, February 16, 2010, to Karen Taylor:
edirector@aafknoxville.com or 865.742.4838

SEATS / TABLES

• $65 per ticket or $600 for a table of 10
• Payment must be received by Thursday, February 18, 2010
• Make checks payable to:
  American Advertising Federation of Knoxville
  P.O. Box 50842, Knoxville, TN 37950
• Table assignments from the front of the ballroom to the back are made on a first-paid- first-reserved basis

RAFFLE
Purchase $2 raffle ticket and bid on great gifts to help support student ADDY® entries in 2010