They couldn’t have picked a nicer evening for an outdoor awards event.
The American Advertising Federation of Cleveland (AAF-Cleveland) welcomed more than 100 guests to FWD Day + Nightclub on the East Bank of the Flats to honor 13 well-deserving creative professionals.
“We really rolled the dice, but it turned out great,” said Jason Plavic, president of AAF-Cleveland. “We did have a back up plan if it rained.
“AAF-Cleveland has a rich history of recognizing creative professionals who have excelled in our industry. They change the way we think and work. We also bring light to young professionals who are doing great work in our industry and making a big impact.”
The evening started off with a tribute to Tom Moore, past president of the AAF-Cleveland, who was also the driving force behind our city hosting the AAF National Conference in 2001.
AAF-Cleveland also recognized four professionals and/or organizations who made outstanding contributions to the ad club this year. TJ Salopek, Interactive Marketing Lead, Goodyear, was named Director of the Year. Garage Creative Studios was named Vendor of the Year, while Nina Rossi, production manager, Goldfarb Weber Creative Media, and Mike Hudock, president, Hudock Creative, received Rising Star Awards.
One of the strongest classes ever, AAF-Cleveland’s 4 under 40 Class of 2019 included: Diana Prodan, content manager, Knox Marketing; Jeff Culliton Sr., director, Digital Strategy, Adcom; Chris Jungjohann, managing partner and COO, Recess Creative; and Chris Woltman, design director, Little Jacket.
Collette Jones, vice president of marketing and communications at Destination Cleveland, took home the prestigious Impact Award, an annual recognition of an outstanding marketer who is changing the way we think and create.
The evening culminated with the induction of three professionals to the AAF-Cleveland Advertising Hall Fame, considered the highest honor that can be bestowed on an industry professional. This year’s class of inductees, included Rick Turner, president, Artists’ Studios; Lane Strauss, creative director, Wyse Advertising, and Sharon Toerek, principal of Tourek Law.