Addy Awards slated for Jan. 23 at Clarion

by Jan K. Allen

SBJ Contributing Writer

In May 1998 the planning committee for this year's Addy Awards went to work with the goal of making the Jan. 23, 1999, ceremony the best ever, said Chairperson Kim Gaisford, of CJR Commercial Group.

Sponsored by the Springfield Advertising Association, the local Addy Awards honor the best work of area advertising and marketing firms. The local competition is also a step toward regional, and even national, recognition.

"The Addys are a way to get recognition for good creative work, and people who may not always get the credit to be rewarded," said Don Schilling, president of Schilling-Sellmeyer and Associates Inc.

This year a 12-woman planning committee worked to address every aspect of the dinner program, and the members are pleased with what they have accomplished.

"It's been a thrill to work on a committee of such hard-working, dedicated people," Gaisford said.

The event will be held Jan. 23 at the Clarion Hotel. The evening starts with cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7, and the awards program begins at 8. The cost is $30 per person.

The members of the Addy Awards planning committee expect 400 to 500 people to attend the event and have ordered a special menu featuring beef Wellington as the entree instead of the more typical banquet fare.

Jerry Jacobs, weekend anchor for KY3, has agreed to serve as master of ceremonies, and music will be provided by Big Smith.

Big Smith is a local band destined to go places, Gaisford said, and the committee feels lucky to get the group.

More than 400 entries have been judged in all advertising categories, including print, television, radio and the Internet. More than 50 Addy Awards and 60 Citations of Excellence will be presented at the ceremony this year, more than in any previous year, Gaisford said.

The President's Award and Silver Medalist Award will be presented, along with two new awards: The Anita Ludwig Award, for recognition of agency excellence, and the Homer Tindle Award, for professional excellence among account representatives, she said.

The judges who determine the Addy Award winners are specialists in the media categories judged print, radio, etc. and this year's judges are from various locations in the Midwest, including Ohio, Illinois, Iowa and St. Louis.

Having judges evaluate entries in their own areas of expertise streamlines the judging process and reinforces the credibility of the judges' choices, Gaisford said.

The Addy Awards is the Springfield Advertising Association's No. 1 way to raise money for worthwhile projects. Part of the money raised goes for scholarships and other educational funding, and the local association recently adopted the Foster Parent Program as its special project.

One of the association's goals is to combine its members' talents for the benefit of the community. As advertising specialists, local agencies can help organizations like the Foster Parents Program get their messages out, Gaisford said.

Attendance at the Addy Awards is by advance reservation and invitation. Anyone who plans to attend but failed to receive an invitation should contact Natalie Murphy at 268-3048.

INSET CAPTION:

More than 50 Addy Awards and 60 Citations of Excellence will be presented at the ceremony.