Insights from Steve Pacheco
President & CEO, American Advertising Federation

We want you to be a part of Mosaic10, the consumer-selected list of the top advertising and multicultural moments of 2022. We’re looking for your help to identify and showcase the most impactful and creative campaigns that represent and celebrate diversity, inclusion, and representation. Read More
AAF National NewsThe first academic study on the gender pay gap in advertising in more than 30 years has been launched by Jess Watts, Brand Director, and Nancy Wayne PhD, UCLA.
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Lincoln, Neb. (March 14, 2023) – Swanson Russell was recently honored with 15 awards at the 2023 AAF Celebrate Creative Nebraska Awards (The ADDYs), held February 10 at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsWe have outstanding communities of creative communications leaders throughout Nebraska. The purpose of AAF Nebraska is to keep that community thriving and to foster the next generation of advertising, marketing and communication professionals. Through events and programs, we educate, connect, and inspire great work–and we have a ton of fun doing it what we love. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsLincoln, Neb.(March 2, 2023) – Swanson Russell has been chosen by global ag and turf chemical product company Nufarm to lead their U.S. marketing efforts. Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, Nufarm is a worldwide leader in herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and plant growth regulators for the ag, lawn care, golf and ornamental markets. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsJoin the American Advertising Federation March Adness NCAA Men’s Basketball Bracket Pool. Read More
AAF National NewsConducted annually by the AAF, the local tier of the American Advertising Awards “Creative Nebraska” is the first of a three-tier, national competition. Concurrently, across the country, local entrants vie to receive an ADDY Award—recognition as the very best in their markets. Read More
Lincoln, Neb. (February 9, 2023) – Swanson Russell received five distinctions at the Region II 2023 National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) Awards. The annual event recognizes outstanding marketing efforts within the agricultural industry, and Swanson Russell received one first-place award and four merit awards. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsPress ReleasesWith the new year comes a new Congress, new state legislative sessions and a renewed interest by all in pursuing possible new privacy laws. Read More
AAF National NewsLegislative IssuesOMAHA, NE (January 16, 2023) Doug Smith, Founder and Executive Chairman of Ervin & Smith, an Omaha marketing agency, will receive the American Advertising Federation Nebraska’s (AAF Nebraska) top honor, the Silver Medal. Smith will be honored during the 2023 American Advertising Awards | Creative Nebraska show, Friday, February 10, 2023, at the SAC Museum in Ashland, Nebraska. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsPress ReleasesDr. Jeffrey Maciejewski, professor in the Department of Computer Science, Design and Journalism, has been appointed to serve on the Council of Better Business Bureaus National Programs National Advertising Review Board (NARB), which helps set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy by adjudicating claims of false or misleading advertising. The NARB is the appellate counterpart to the CBBB’s National Advertising Division. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsOMAHA, Neb (December 5, 2022)—Envoy, Inc., a full-service advertising agency, is proud to announce national certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Development Center – Midwest, a regional certifying partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsMeet AAF Nebraska Board leaders to learn more about club activities and join us soon for an upcoming professional development program or event.
Our leaders along with Bridgid and Christina are busy engaging our advertising community. AAF Nebraska binds together mutual interests of corporate advertisers, agencies, marketing and media services, suppliers and academia. Read More
AAF Nebraska exists to unite and prosper advertising, marketing, communications and public relations professionals throughout the state of Nebraska. Read the lasted issue of AdMuse with upcoming events, programs and industry news. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsAdMuse ArchivesAAF Nebraska welcomes new member Noah Kenoyer the Marketing and National Account Manager at ReBath Omaha. ReBath Omaha is a locally owned and operated franchise redefining the effortless bathroom remodel, from start to stunning. Kenoyer joined ReBath Omaha this summer after coming from Drake University in Des Moines. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsMember ProfilesLINCOLN, Neb. (November 19, 2022) – Swanson Russell recently promoted eight in its Lincoln and Omaha offices: Tanner Boesiger, Sarah Carritt, Jack Chatelain, Amber Mencl, Jess Schmitz, Kaitlyn Smejdir, Kassie Smidt and Peter Worth. Read More
AAFO News(Omaha, NE, October 31, 2022) The American Advertising Federation Nebraska (AAF Nebraska) announces the winners for Ad Pro and Ad Rookie of the Year. David Moore, Co-founder, and Creative Director with Kingswood & Palmerston will receive the Ad Pro of the Year award and Johnny Shea, Designer at Daake will be honored as Ad Rookie of the Year during AAF Nebraska’s BOOM! Roasted Awards event on November 17 at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. The event will also feature the roast of Laura Spaulding, Corporate Communications Director at Bozell in Omaha, NE and Fred Knight, Marketing Director at T.O. Haas Tire in Lincoln, NE. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsPress ReleasesLearn With TikTok
American Advertising Federation and TikTok are bringing you a three-part webinar series in November that will help you get your TikTok journey started.
From start to finish, you’ll learn why your brand should be on TikTok, creative basics and best practices to making engaging TikTok videos and how you can level up using our ad solutions and TikTok Ads Manager.
Consider this your step-by-step guide to success on TikTok and let’s have some fun!
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Read the latest issue of AdMuse for upcoming AAF Nebraska October and November events, programs and news. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsAdMuse ArchivesOn September 8, the Federal Trade Commission conducted an online “Commercial Surveillance and Data Security Rulemaking Forum” as a follow-up to the release of the Advance Notice of Public Rulemaking on the same subject. Read More
AAF National NewsLegislative IssuesLast month, Meta stopped by VidCon US to catch up with creators about how they like to work with businesses big and small on content like Instagram Reels. Our recent We Create video series shows a behind-the-scenes look at how creators can collaborate with brands, businesses and agencies on Instagram. At VidCon, we kept this conversation going by speaking with even more creators about branded content. Read More
Privacy has been a front-line issue in Washington, DC this summer—in both the legislative and regulatory arenas. Read More
AAF National NewsLegislative IssuesIt’s time to grab your PSLs and get ready for the holidays! The AAF Digital Media Committee has released its first insight guide for all marketing professionals with industry best practices just in time for the upcoming holiday season. Read More
AAF National NewsLINCOLN, Neb. (August 2, 2022) – Swanson Russell welcomes Olivia Boldt, Madeline Christensen, Serena Hackett, Meg Higgins, Dan Hinz, Ryan Holt and Kate Sliva. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsPress ReleasesAll AAF members can now reap the benefits that the US Pharmacy Card has to offer. This includes the uninsured, underinsured, those who have high deductibles, and more!
Worried about the eligibility requirements? There are none. Don’t fret over applications, approval processes, or limitations. Everyone is eligible. Read More
AAF National NewsThe Google News Initiative (GNI) has launched applications for four new Labs in North America, focused on helping small and medium-sized news organizations in the United States and Canada grow their digital businesses. Read More
AAF National NewsWe are thrilled to let you know that our TikTok Inventory Filter has just launched in 25 countries and 15+ languages globally. The TikTok Inventory Filter is a new proprietary brand safety and suitability solution which gives advertisers more control over the environment where their ads are shown. Driven by innovative technology and informed by TikTok’s Community Guidelines and GARM standards, the solution offers a choice of three tiers of inventory to run adjacent to In-Feed Ads on the For You page. Read More
AAF National NewsI know we’re all still very much in the “dog days” of Summer—but this month also marks the start of an all-new Club year for the AAF. May I be the first to wish you a very Happy New Year! Read More
AAF National NewsLINCOLN, Neb. (July 14, 2022) – Andrew Warner, account director for Swanson Russell, has been named president of the Missouri-Kansas Chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA). Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsPress ReleasesLINCOLN, Neb. (July 11, 2022) – Swanson Russell received three gold awards and six silver awards at the 2022 Telly Awards. The annual Telly Awards honor excellence in video and television across all screens. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsLINCOLN, Neb. (July 9, 2022) – Swanson Russell welcomes Mckenna Arthur, Kenny Bottoms, Scot Eaton, Katie House, Nathan Schreiter, Olivia McCown and Grace Niemeyer. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsPress ReleasesOMAHA, Neb. – For the first time in two years, the local ON Brand Conference will gather hundreds of professionals for purposeful conversations and meaningful professional development focused around the event’s theme, “ON Brand. On Purpose.” Attendees are invited to Scott Conference Center on Thursday, July 21 to network, grow and get inspired. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsPress ReleasesDiscounts for AAF Members Read More
AAF National NewsThe AAF National American Advertising Awards took place in Nashville on June 3rd. Congratulations to all Gold & Silver ADDY winners from across the country. Read More
AAF National NewsLINCOLN, Neb. (June 22, 2022) – Swanson Russell received eight honors at the 2022 Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) Awards. The annual event recognizes outstanding marketing efforts within the green industry, and Swanson Russell received four first-place awards, two merit awards and two Gardner Awards. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsPrivacy issues continue to draw the attention of lawmakers at both the state and federal level. Read More
AAF National NewsAAF Nebraska NewsLegislative IssuesOMAHA, Neb. (June 10, 2022) – RCG Advertising & Media’s Steve Armbruster and Paula Steenson with Paula Presents! received AAF Nebraska Lifetime membership status during the AAF Nebraska Board of Directors’ meeting held in Omaha, which took place on June 9th.
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Clark Creative Group is honored to announce that the 2021-2022 Metropolitan Community College branding campaign, “Your Path Forward Starts Now,” won both gold and silver Telly Awards!
This raises the total Telly count for MCC to seven, as the Awards also recognized “Empowered by MCC” with five wins in 2020. Read More
Sioux Falls, SD (June 2, 2022) — Mud Mile Communications and its sports division, Adrenaline Sports Marketing, have again been recognized among the nation’s best video content creators with nine Telly Awards. Started in 1979, the Telly Awards recognize the best in television and digital commercials and programs. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsLINCOLN, Neb. (May 28, 2022) – Swanson Russell recently promoted eight in its Lincoln and Omaha offices: Robin Barrett, Quiller Caudill, Shelton Crouch, Laura Duensing, Chelsea Honnens, Chris Johnson, Jordan Kaiser and Kayleen Mourey. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsPress ReleasesLINCOLN, Neb. (May 21, 2022) – Swanson Russell Chairman Dave Hansen was inducted into the Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) Hall of Fame at their 32nd annual meeting, which took place May 3-5 in Kansas City, Missouri. The TOCA Hall of Fame recognizes the cumulative accomplishments of deserving communicators who have made outstanding contributions to the turf and ornamental industry over the years. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsPress Releases(Omaha, Neb. – May 19, 2022) – American Advertising Federation Nebraska (AAF Nebraska), announced winners of the 2022 AAF Nebraska Scholarships. In 1987, AAF Nebraska established two scholarship funds to honor students attending Creighton University, University of Nebraska Omaha, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and University of Nebraska at Kearney. Along with these foundation funds over the next 5 years the federation will award additional scholarships.
AAF Nebraska is able to award a total of $12,600 in scholarship funds to outstanding area student members this year.
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Agency Receives Top Honor and Three AMA Prism Awards
LINCOLN, Neb. (May 14, 2022) – Swanson Russell has been named “Corporate Marketer of the Year” by the American Marketing Association (AMA), Lincoln Chapter. The agency was recognized at the AMA annual Prism Awards, which were held May 5 in Lincoln. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsPress ReleasesSoon after AAF alerted its Kentucky members to an ad tax included in legislation introduced by State Representative Jason Petrie (R-Elkton) Chair of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee, the provision was removed from the bill. As introduced, HB 8 would have expanded Kentucky’s 6% gross receipts sales and use tax base to 39 new services, including advertising and graphic design services. Read More
AAF National NewsAAF Nebraska NewsLegislative IssuesCongratulations to Smith Kroeger the 2022 AdWars champions! Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsPast Event RecapsLINCOLN, Neb. (April 16, 2022) – Swanson Russell recently promoted eight in its Lincoln and Omaha offices: Kim Bertrand, Stephanie Havranek, Ryan Koenig, Katie Scherer, Kiley Shuler, Kaitlyn Smejdir, Eric Smits and Andrea Tremayne. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsPress ReleasesThe KC Ad Club is partnering with Mirren Live to bring their annual conference from New York to the Midwest! As members of AAF District 9 the KC Ad Club has offered AAF Nebraska members a discount for this conference. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsLINCOLN, Neb. (April 9, 2022) – Swanson Russell welcomes Jill Ahrendsen, Lucas Fahrer, Whitney Hansen, Tyler Loebig, Grace Malone, Elise Peterson, Lauren Simonsen and Bud Wooten. Read More
AAF Nebraska NewsPress ReleasesSuit Up Program
The mission of the Midlands African Chamber’s Suit Up Program is to empower young men and women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, headshot, and job readiness workforce preparation. Read More