Springfield Ad Club dishes out annual Addy awards

KY-3 television personality Jerry Jacob may still be hurting from the Springfield Ad Club's 24th Annual Addy Awards Show, held Jan. 31 at the Clarion Hotel.

Jacob served as emcee for the show and handed out 134 Addy awards, a tiring task in itself. But to spark an audience of about 300, KOLR 10's Joe Daues, in football pads and helmet, ran full-steam into Jacob for a textbook tackle during the emcee's opening remarks. Jacob shook off the blow to present 45 Gold Addys and 89 Silver Addys.

The NFL-style tackle emulating Reebok's "Terry Tate - Office Linebacker" Super Bowl ad set the tone for an interactive evening. Matching the evening's New Orleans theme, silver winners in the audience received Mardi Gras beads, which Jacob tossed from the stage.

All gold winners who were alerted by a chorus of "gold" from the crowd at the request of Jacob advance to the district competition, to be held in April in Lincoln, Neb. The Springfield Ad Club pays the $55 entry fee for the gold winners, said John Scroggins, Addy 24 chairperson. Scroggins said silver winners may advance, but the entrant pays the district fee.

There were 320 entries for the local competition, Scroggins said.

Top ad dogs

Noble & Associates was called 13 times in the gold category and 12 times for the silver the most of any agency in either category. Several of Noble's Addys were for Tyson Foods.

Noble also took home Best of Show Print for its national public service campaign for Planned Parenthood. Noble Art Director Tim Bade has won Best of Show three years straight.

Transport Graphics made a good showing in its first Addy appearance, earning five gold and four silver awards. The company, which specializes in fleet advertising, has been in business 12 years, but it recently revised its creative department to take a more "proactive approach" in Springfield's advertising community, said Adam Walker, creative director.

"We're taking a new approach to being more than just a sign shop," Walker said. "We wanted to become more involved in community organizations and events."

Walker said the Addys recognition gets the company's name out in the community. Among Transport Graphics' awards was work for local client Banta Foods and national client Great Dane Trailers.

The Newkirk Agency reeled in three gold Addys and six silver Addys, including gold for local clothing manufacturer Endless Summer.

The Ad Club handed out three Best of Show awards: one for Noble's Planned Parenthood print campaign; one for UPN 15's Le UPN commercial in the local television broadcast category; and one for Jennifer Fillmer, who received a student citation for her Big Smith Gig compact disc cover.

UPN's Best of Show turned out to be bittersweet for the commercial's writer, producer and editor Kris Millsap. Millsap is starting his own editing and video production house called Thunderfoot. His last day at UPN, which is owned by KY-3, was the day of the show.

"It was a great last day. Thank you KY-3 and long live UPN," he told the crowd. "I wouldn't be striking out on my own if I hadn't been with the station."

Millsap plans to work on music videos and commercials for the Branson, Nashville, Tenn., and Texas markets.

Individual Addys

Tom Young couldn't understand why his daughter Tara insisted that he attend the Addy Awards. It came to light when Young heard his name called as the 2003 Silver Medalist.

"My daughter Tara asked me to come tonight and I said, Why? We didn't enter anything.' Now I know why I came," Young said as he accepted the award. "It's a great honor to be recognized by your peers."

Young founded Young & Company more than 30 years ago. He is a former Ad Professional of the Year and is probably best known for his creation of the Bass Pro Shops logo.

The first ever Jane Meyer Nonprofit Excellence Award went to Community Partnership of the Ozarks. Donna Neal, friend of Jane Meyer who died Feb. 1, 2002 presented the new award for Community Partnership of the Ozarks' campaign against underage drinking called "Do the right thing."

"We are very honored to accept this first award," said Kevin Richardson, communications director. "(Nonprofits) are the silent majorities out there working for everybody. We are thrilled to accept this in her spirit."

It was a busy night at the podium for Dianne Davidson, owner of DL Media. As last year's recipient of the Anita Ludwig Award, Davidson presented the 2003 award to Brent Atterberry, owner of Ad Builders Advertising Agency.

Davidson returned to the microphone when named Ad Professional of the Year. "I am very surprised. I had no idea," she said.

Davidson's DL Media is an ad agency with emphasis in tourism, insurance and consumer/retail placement.

Natalie Murphy, account executive at KOLR/Fox 27, earned the Homer Tindle Award, and Amy Cutshall of St. John's received the Springfield Ad Club President's Award. This year's president is Kevin Scott, KOLR 10 account executive.