Adfed Suncoast, the local chapter of the American Advertising Federation, will welcome three acclaimed leaders in the field of advertising to judge the Southwest Florida American Advertising Awards (ADDY) competition. On January 26, 2019, Valerie Wagner, senior VP and creative director at GSW in New York; Jim Clark, owner at Clark & Company in Destin, Florida; and Hector Del Valle-Sosa, art director at Liquid Creative in Gainesville, Florida, will come to Sarasota to select the best of the competition entries. From November 1, 2018 through January 18, 2019, artists and businesses in Sarasota, Manatee, Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hardee, Desoto, Highlands, Glades and Hendry Counties have submitted work in the most prestigious award recognition in the advertising industry.
The ADDY competition recognizes and rewards the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising. It is the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition, attracting more than 60,000 entries every year in local Advertising Federation chapter competitions. This local phase is the first of a three-tier, national competition. Concurrently, across the country, local entrants vie to win ADDY Awards. At the second tier, winners compete in one of 15 district competitions. District winners are then invited to the national stage of the American Advertising Awards. The tiered process is what makes the ADDY the most difficult and most respected advertising award to earn.
Meet the Judges
Hector Del Valle-Sosa, art director at Liquid Creative in Gainesville, Florida
Since beginning his graphic design career ten years ago, Hector Del Valle’s award-winning work has creatively captured the character of Alachua County businesses spanning the consumer and B2B industries. He received his bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Florida and his graphic design degree from Santa Fe College. At Liquid Creative, Del Valle uses his artistic eye to oversee design production. He has served as the chapter president of the American Advertising Federation in Gainesville for two terms and is a past District 4 ADDY Chair.
Jim Clark, owner at Clark & Company in Destin, Florida
For more than 27 years, Jim Clark has been a creative director dedicated to seeing his clients succeed. He has been honored with multiple industry awards including the 2016 Jack Philipps Gold Medal – the highest honor bestowed by the AAF 4th District; 1995 AAF Silver Medal Award Winner for Outstanding Advertising Achievement; and more than 100 ADDYs. He currently serves for American Advertising Federation 4th District as historian and was the founding president of the Emerald Coast Advertising Federation in 1992.
Valerie Wagner, senior VP and creative director at GSW in New York
Valerie brings her passion for grounding ideas in strategy, executing beautifully, building and inspiring teams, leading authentically, and thinking big-picture while keeping an eye on the details. For the past 12 years Valerie has been conceiving and launching national and global campaigns for clients such as AstraZeneca, Bayer, Celgene, Gilead, Novartis, and Pfizer. Prior to entering the world of advertising, Valerie had a very different career trajectory, designing album covers for artists ranging from Mick Jagger to Matchbox 20 to Rihanna. Her love of music and design began at age 5, when she would model for the covers of her grandfather’s polka albums.
For more information about award submissions or the award process, visit AdFedSuncoast.com or call (941) 927-7589.