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.