How to Write A Standout Submission for the Special Recognition Awards

During the annual American Advertising Awards, AAF Greater Rochester offers special recognition to individuals who represent greatness in our Advertising community. Each year you have the opportunity to create nominations for up to three different awards. 

1. The Silver Award is bestowed for a lifetime of achievement. This is an individual who has pushed our ad community forward, been a mentor, earned the rest of colleagues and compatriots, etc.
2. The Up & Coming Award recognizes an ad professional with ten or fewer years of experience (as of December 2022) in the advertising and communications field who showcases an exceptional marketing mind, skilled ability, and clear leadership potential.
3. The Trailblazer Award recognizes an outstanding advertising professional who has made a significant, meaningful impact on their clients, customers, company, or community within the past year. This honor is for personal or professional initiatives that resulted in the betterment of all involved.

The nomination process begins at the end of December/start of January each year, in advance of the upcoming American Advertising Awards. Nominations should demonstrate the candidate’s contributions to their company, the ad industry, and our greater community in Rochester. Candidates should also demonstrate a high degree of creative, original thinking in whatever role(s) they’ve held—account management, media, strategy, creative, etc.

How it Works 

• The special recognition award winner(s) will be selected by a panel – often comprised of past AAF Greater Rochester presidents.
• It is not mandatory for all awards to be given each year, but if a winner is chosen, the award is presented at that year’s American Advertising Awards. 
• Nominations are reviewed blindly (the panel does not know who submitted the nomination) and are based solely on the information provided in the submission. To further avoid conflict of interest, participating panelists cannot currently be employed by the same workplace as any of the candidates for any of the special recognition awards. Nominations are scored individually by panelists based on a predetermined point system.

Silver Award

• (40 pts) Contributions to the advertising industry in Rochester – Efforts to increase the stature and raise the standards of the advertising profession. Consider contributions and involvement with AAF Greater Rochester.
• (30 pts) Contributions to the community – Activity in civic, religious, or other groups dedicated to some type of human or social welfare.
• (30 pts) Contributions to their company – Success achieved in one of the following areas of work: advertising agency, advertiser, media, or advertising services.
• (10 pts) Creative ability – A consistent, high degree of creative, original thinking in whatever role of advertising the nominee has worked (innovation in account management, business operations, creative development, media, strategy, and more are all welcome).

Up & Coming Award

• (30 pts) Contributions to the advertising industry in Rochester – Efforts to increase the stature and raise the standards of the advertising profession.
• (30 pts) Creativity & Innovation – A consistent, high degree of outside-the-box thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and innovation in whatever role of advertising the nominee has worked (innovation in account management, business operations, creative development, media, strategy, and more are all welcome).
• (20 pts) Contributions to the community – Activity in civic, religious, or other groups dedicated to some type of human or social welfare.
• (20 pts) Contributions to their company – Success achieved in one of the following areas of work: advertising agency, advertiser, media, or advertising services.

Trailblazer Award

• (35 pts) Contributions to their clients – Created a significant, meaningful impact on their clients’ businesses
• (35 pts) Contributions to their company – Made a positive difference in their organization
• (30 pts) Contributions to the community – Utilized their time and talents to better their local community

For select awards, additional verification of nomination details may be required.

How to Write a Strong Nomination

• Tailor responses to the award category. If you’re submitting a Silver Award nomination, the content should be focused on the impact of the individual’s entire career; if you’re submitting an Up & Coming nomination, the content should be focused on why that individual is a rising star in the community and why others should be on the lookout for them.
• Provide examples that exhibit the specific contributions and categories. There is a minimum character requirement, but there is not a maximum. We’re not saying to write a novel (like all things in life, it’s a balance); the more examples you can provide, the stronger the submission is likely to be.
• The stronger submissions weave a story. Think about the submission holistically, despite the different questions, and avoid thinking in terms of bullets and ‘quick hits’. If you have multiple contributors, consider a consistent voice to bring it all together.
• Don’t wait until the last minute; judges can always tell when a submission is put together quickly or haphazardly.

 

You can reach out to our American Advertising Awards chairs any time with questions by emailing awards@aafgreaterrochester.org