Cirque des Visionnaires
AAF Suncoast is proud to host the American Advertising Awards, which annually honors the best creative projects produced by local professionals and students, on Feb. 22nd β and this yearβs theme is cirque du soleil .
Dust off your best tuxedo, dawn your best gown or dress, and join AAF Suncoast at Ringling College Sound Stages for a memorable awards ceremony, delicious food, drinks from the bar and enjoy an amazing show of talent!
Weβre excited for you to join us on this special occasion. Reserve your seat today, as we shine the spotlight on our silver screen of creative winners!
2025 Sponsors
Get The Spotlight
Partner with AAF Suncoast and letβs roll out the red carpet, serve up some slow music and make a memorable ceremony for all our local winners β including you.
There are NINE price tiers available with which you can become a valued sponsor β and our chapter has already filled one level! These sponsorship opportunities range from βPresenting Sponsor,β where your company can hold the spotlight, to βMain Attraction Sponsor,β βSpotlight Sponsor,β βShowtime Sponsor,β and more.
Our Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
A/V Sponsors
Champagne Sponsor
Signature Drink Sponsor
Centerpiece Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Schedule
5pm - Tours of the Ringling Sound Stages
Start of Check-in/Registration
Cocktail hour and Champagne Reception
Saturday, February 22th, 2025
6:45pm - Call guests
to their seats
7pm - Buffet opens
7:20pm - Final announcements
Sponsors Presentation
7:30pm - Show starts
Professional Best of Category
announced during presentation
9pm - End of Show
Judgesβ Choice Winners Students
Best of Show Student
Judgesβ Choice Winners Professional
Best of Show Professional
Peoplesβ Choice Winner
9:20pm - Winner
Certificate Pick-up
Winners to take photos in front of Step & repeat
9:30 - Nairn Bβ Gillet Incoming President Gavel
Shawn Noratel will be honored with the Nairn Bβ Gillet incoming president gavel
10pm - End of event
Thank you and congratulations
for winning an ADDY
Our Judges
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Jane Goldman: Creative Director/Owner at JBG Creative
Jane Goldman is an award-winning creative leader with 25+ years of experience transforming global brands through strategic storytelling. From crafting celebrated campaigns at top agencies for brands like Dunkin', NFL, and UNICEF, to pioneering in-house creative transformations at Au Bon Pain and Citizens Bank, she consistently delivers work that drives business impact. Goldman remains dedicated to pushing creative boundaries while mentoring emerging talent. A frequent judge for creative awards programs across local, regional, and global stages, she brings both strategic vision and bi-coastal perspective to evaluating groundbreaking work. When not advancing creative excellence, she explores new destinations with her husband Chris and their dog River.
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Brett Essman: Creative Director at Preston Spire
Brett believes in the power of ideas. It doesnβt matter if itβs TV, print, a social post, event, OOH, or the latest trend on TikTok, all well-crafted campaigns start with a simple idea. Heβs worked at agencies both big and small in Minneapolis, Chicago and Portland, Maine making advertising campaigns that donβt seem like advertising. Brett has won Ad Age 2024 Campaign of the Year (which he will receive in a Boston ceremony on July 24). He has also won multiple national and international awards in just the past year for clients such as Change the Ref, MN Alliance on Problem Gambling, and Mass General Brigham Health Plan. He has also created award-winning work for Trolli, Hefty, Klondike, Twin Cities Marathon, Great Clips, the Minnesota Lottery and others
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Nikhil Ghodke: Professor at Auburn University/Freelance Graphic Designer
Nikhil teaches graphic design at Auburn University and has a global freelance design practice. His clients include Turner TV (USA), Sky TV (New Zealand), VH1 (India), Comedy Central (India), and ABP News (India). He has previously worked for Y&R (now VMLYR), Colenso BBDO, and Lowe Lintas ad agencies. In the past, he taught at Manhattanville College in New York and Media Design School in New Zealand. He has created projects for Nike, ACI, Hallmark, History Channel, Home Shopping Network, Axcient, and Burger King during the past 15 years, and he has received recognition for his efforts. He lives in Montgomery with his wife and two small children and is a passionate traveler who has been to 25 different countries. He frequently judges for the American Advertising Federation and is a board member for SECAC annual conferences.