(OMAHA, NE, June 14, 2021) – The American Advertising Federation Omaha (AAF Omaha), a professional organization of advertising agencies, marketers, media, academia, and public relations practitioners, won a national American Advertising Federation (AAF) award for Public Service. The award was presented during the national AAF annual conference ADMERICA Salute to Achievers virtual presentation on June 11, 2021.
All clubs and federations affiliated with the American Advertising Federation and in good standing may compete for Club Achievement awards within their membership size division. AAF Omaha is a member of the AAF 9th District and has been participating in the Club Achievement national competition for more than 25 years.
AAF Omaha won second place in Public Service. This award is a great accomplishment for the club and the organization’s leadership and members. AAF Omaha president, Daryl Anderson (Clark Creative Group) is commended for an outstanding year along with the federation’s current officers and board members; Ann Woodford (Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha), Jenna Baird (Bozell), David Lempp (Centro), Chris LaCroix (Freelance Designer), Lauren Rock (RCG Advertising & Media), Ginny Allumbaugh (Anderson Partners), Erin Buhrman (Folk Branding), Cassi Warren (KETV), Bob Mancuso (Mid-America Expositions, Inc.), Paula Steenson (Paula Presents!), Alec Rahe (Frost Media Group), Cody Felber (WoodmenLife), Jessica Schmitz (Clark Creative Group), David Moore (Objective Strategic Marketing), Lauren Schuster (Bailey Lauerman), Suzanne Kuklinski, Kevin Olive (The Ambiant Store), Marlee Cowdrey (Bailey Lauerman), Jim Deitering (Lamar Outdoor Advertising Omaha), and Jessica Teaford (Clark Creative Group).
Through the hard work and dedication of an exceptional board of directors, committee members and a strong member base, AAF Omaha was able to gain national recognition for their accomplishments in Public Service. The club’s board of directors could not have done it without the support of all member companies.
AAF Omaha strives to be a unifying voice for advertising and marketing in the Omaha metropolitan area, as well as throughout Nebraska and western Iowa. AAF Omaha views community service as an integral part of the federation’s mission. Annually the federation is committed to providing advertising-related services – creative, strategy, and brand development to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the area. AAF Omaha’s chosen non-profit for 2020-2021 was the League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha (LWVGO). LWVGO is a nonpartisan political organization which encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. AAF Omaha’s Public Services Committee recognized that with the impending 2020 elections, the mission of the National League of Women Voters, and local chapters like Greater Omaha, had never been more important. The Public Service team established goals to build overall awareness of LWVGO, created a consistent social media presence to increase awareness, and developed consistent content utilizing branded assets to improve League education and outreach materials.
Additionally, AAF Omaha took on additional Public Service projects this year. In July of 2020, locally owned agency, Bozell, came to AAF Omaha with an idea that would focus on closing the diversity hiring gap and support a more diverse group of creatives, marketers, and developers in Omaha. Together a fund was created, called the ADvance Omaha Fund. AAF Omaha asked local agencies for their support of this initiative. By the end of August, a total of 11 Nebraska agencies financially contributed to the fund and raised a total of $28,150. The money raised for this fund went directly to the following local organizations:
•Culxr House: A hub that provides artists and creatives a safe space to grow their talent and obtain access to resources necessary to turn their art into economic opportunities.
• Seventy Five North: Code Camp – A coding camp primarily for high schoolers in North Omaha.
• NOISE Omaha: A community-led news organization that addresses the information gap within North Omaha.
• I Be Black Girl: A collective that creates space for Black identifying women and girls to access their full potential to authentically “be”.
Another ADvance initiative developed this year was the AAF Omaha Talent Directory. The Talent Directory was created to address the hiring gap in marketing and advertising. AAF Omaha believes this tool will increase the referral and hiring pools for various companies who hire an incredible amount of full-time personnel and freelancers locally. Information on the Talent Directory is listed on the AAF website (https://aafomaha.org/ job/). Anyone who is looking for full-time, part-time or contract work in the advertising and marketing field can fill out the form to be placed on the AAF Omaha Talent Directory.
AAF Omaha educates members on the latest trends in technology, creativity and marketing through seminars, monthly professional development programming, and ongoing communication initiatives. In addition, AAF Omaha offers members networking opportunities to assist members in expanding client and referral lists, as well as leadership opportunities for professional growth and development, offering the opportunity to broaden members’ appeal in the job market.
AAF Omaha protects and promotes advertising at all levels of government through grassroots activities. The nationwide AAF network monitors advertising-related legislation on local, state, and federal levels. AAF Omaha puts members face to face with influential lawmakers while encouraging industry self-regulation as a preemptor to government intervention, when appropriate.
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AAF Omaha, founded in 1906, as the Omaha Federation of Advertising (OFA), is considered the unifying voice of advertising in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metropolitan area. AAF Omaha offers an organization to educate, inspire and bring an inclusive sense of community to the advertising professionals of Nebraska so that we, and future generations, can continue to do the work we love.
In July of 2021 AAF Lincoln will merge with AAF Omaha to become AAF Nebraska.
