The AAF-Black Hills presented its 2010 ADDY Awards for advertising creative excellence Thursday, February 18 at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center in Rapid City. This annual dinner and awards presentation was attended by over 160 individuals of the local advertising and media businesses.

Of the 99 entries received by the AAF-Black Hills, 15 gold ADDY Awards and 22 silver ADDY Awards were presented. Entries were judged based on creativity, originality and innovative strategy. Robert Sharp & Associates captured the Tommy Award, or Best of Show, for 30-second television commercials for Western Dakota Technical Institute.

Robert Sharp was awarded the Silver Medal Award, an award that recognizes men and women who have made outstanding contributions to advertising and have been active in furthering the industry’s standards. The award is considered by the American Advertising Federation and the AAF-Black Hills as the highest honor bestowed upon a practitioner by his/her peers.

A HUGE thank you to our sponsors: Simpson’s Printing, Western Mailers, First Interstate Bank, Golden West Communications, Casey Peterson & Associates, LTD, Midcontinent Communications, Stec’s Advertising Specialties, and Table 4 Décor. A special thanks to our annual sponsor, Black Hills Power

The 2010 ADDY Awards Competition is sponsored by AAF-Black Hills, a member association comprised of advertising and media professionals. Proceeds from the ADDY Awards help support the AAF-Black Hills’s educational programs, public service projects and proactive government relations efforts.

Extras from the night of the Show

2010 Winners Book

2010 Winners Presentation Slides

Download Photos from the Event

The opening Board Video (also below)

The 2010 Silver Medal Video (also below)

Local Students Get Glimpse into Advertising Industry

Local non-profit group American Advertising Federation of the Black Hills is pleased to announce its First Annual Student Summit to be held March 16th in Rapid City.

The Student Summit will provide local college students the opportunity to network with and learn from local marketing and advertising professionals through a marketing competition, speakers, business tours and a question and answer session.

Students will write marketing plans for the Sturgis Center for the Arts for the marketing competition. Michelle Grosek and her staff of volunteers at the Sturgis Center for the Arts strive to make the arts a daily “habit” for students of all ages. Their mission is to provide an environment of learning and appreciation of the arts. Students will promote the BAM (bicycle, art and music) Festival to be held Saturday, July 10th in the Sturgis City Park.

Speakers will include Josh Barsch, CEO of StraightForward Media and author of an upcoming book about resumes, and Angela Clayton, Manager of Digital Marketing for Starz Entertainment in Denver. Clayton will speak during the group’s monthly luncheon which is open to the public at 11:30 at the Quality Inn. The luncheon program is free for AAF-Black Hills members, $30 for non-members and includes lunch.

The AAF-Black Hills is a volunteer association composed of members of the advertising, marketing, and business community. The AAF-Black Hills holds monthly luncheon meetings and networking socials from September to April.

The American Advertising Federation – Black Hills (AAF-Black Hills) is entrusted each year to take on and create an advertising campaign for a local non-profit organization. These organizations are the recipients of the combined talents and skills of the AAF-Black Hills members. New this year, a second non-profit organization was selected to benefit from the Student Summit Marketing Competition. These talented local college students will compete in March with ready-to-implement plans.

This year’s selection for the Public Service Campaign will be the Lakota Circles of Hope. For the last two years, Lakota Elders, educators, and the Catholic Social Services staff have worked together to create a culturally specific prevention program for the Second through Fifth grade students on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations. It is the mission of LCH to teach these students how to make healthy positive choices using Lakota traditions, culture, and values.

The selection for the Student Summit Marketing Competition will be the Sturgis Center for the Arts. Michelle Grosek, and her staff of volunteers strive to make the arts a daily “habit “ for students of all ages. Over the last five and a half years, the Sturgis Center for the Arts has seen the benefits of providing a secure place where people can express their artistic passion or simply work out some of the daily stress in their lives. Their mission is to provide an environment of learning and appreciation of the arts.

The AAF-Black Hills is a volunteer association composed of members of the advertising, marketing, and business community. In addition to the annual Public Service Campaign, AAF-Black Hills holds monthly luncheon meetings and networking socials from September to April. In February, the AAF-Black Hills hosts the Black Hills Advertising Awards competition and the Silver Medal Award.

Thank you to our Sponsor, Security First Bank.

Local non-profit group ‘American Advertising Federation of the Black Hills’ brings in Billie Jo Waara from Lawrence & Schiller to talk about the recent Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Economic Impact Study.

With the help of the South Dakota Office of Tourism’s Million Dollar Challenge Program and support from the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, several South Dakota private sector businesses, Black Hills area chambers of commerce and local municipalities, an economic impact study on the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally became a reality in 2009.

Since the data from the economic impact study has been collected, compiled and analyzed, MTA has developed a strategic marketing plan for launch in early 2010, which will include the utilization of social networking sites, email blasts and direct mail communications, as well as cable network programming and other more traditional advertising media. Join us to hear the results of the study.

According to Jim Burgess, partner at Black Hills and Sturgis Harley-Davidson, the true economic impact of the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has never actually been calculated. “This event (the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally) is without a doubt the largest event in South Dakota – and it spreads throughout the entire state, east to west, north to south,” said Burgess. “We guess at the attendance numbers and we know what kind of revenue goes into the state’s coffers from the sales tax filed by temporary merchants who are here for the Rally, but that’s just a fraction of it.”

Burgess went on to say that revenue from private party Rally home rentals, homes that are sold to individuals who come to the Black Hills for the Rally, businesses that move to South Dakota due to the Rally, along with other examples, make him believe that the economic impact of the Rally reaches far beyond what we currently perceive.

AAF-Black Hills would like to thank our program sponsor Security First Bank.

This luncheon program is FREE for AAF-Black Hills members, $30 for non-mem¬bers, $20 for students and includes lunch. RSVP by January 15th by clicking here or emailing info@aafblackhills.org or calling 605-863-2186.

Location: Hampton Inn of Rapid City, 1720 Rapp St

Date: Tuesday January 19th, 2010

Time: 11:30-1:00

Click here for more information and to RSVP.

No longer will South Dakota businesses be excluded from Google’s “Seminars for Success” (closest one’s held are in Denver and Minneapolis). The local chapter of the American Advertising Federation will host their second Shirt Sleeve Seminar series featuring Josh Barsch, owner of StraightForwardMedia in Rapid City. Barsch will teach you how to build effective, profitable Google advertising campaigns from the ground up, and avoid the dozens of mistakes that keep advertisers large and small struggling to figure out what they’re doing wrong. StraightForward Media relocated to Rapid City in 2006. As one of the first pure search-advertising agencies in the country, they’ve been managing Google campaigns for clients worldwide since the inception of the Google Adwords program in 2002.

This “Google Advertising for Ninjas” If you’ve completed the first seminar in the series and want to take more steps to becoming a true Adwords Ninja, this is your seminar. Topics covered include: advanced geotargeting, analytics, international and foreign-language advertising, landing page optimization, Quality Score components, the Adwords API, content-network advertising, YouTube, mobile advertising, and more. Like all Josh’s seminars, this one is scheduled for two hours, but if you’re interested in keeping the learning party going well after the posted hours, then he’s game if you are. This is not just a lecture — you’ll be getting your hands dirty in an actual Adwords account, so come ready to work!

January 14th, 2009, 6:00-8:00pm located at The Hampton Inn-1720 Rapp Street. $15.00 for AAF-Black Hills members and $30 for the general public. Please RSVP by January 11th to info@aafblackhills.org or 863-2186, or feel free to click here to RSVP online.

In March, the Google series will finish up in Rapid City with “How I Made $572,000 With Google Adsense” — our personal story of making life-changing money with Google’s advertising program for publishers.

American Advertising Federation-Black Hills (AAF-Black Hills) names Robert Sharp the 2010 Silver Medal Award Recipient.

Robert Sharp, 2010 Silver Medal Recipient

The American Advertising Federation Silver Medal Award is given to a member in the community that has made outstanding contributions to advertising and has been active in furthering the industry’s standards. The Silver Medal Award is considered by the American Advertising Federation and the AAF-Black Hills as the highest honor to be bestowed upon a practitioner by his/her peers.

This year the AAF-Black Hills is proud to announce that Robert Sharp, owner of Robert Sharp & Associates Advertising Agency in Rapid City has been named the 2010 Silver Medal Award Winner.

Robert began his career as a radio disk jockey, and soon his expert advice and market knowledge paid off. In 1990, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to launch his own marketing agency out of his garage. Twenty years later he has outgrown the garage and has expanded the company’s services as well. Robert has made considerable contributions to the advertising and marketing industry and the Rapid City community where his wife Stacey, their grown children and grandchildren have made their home. Robert has donated time and resources to numerous non-profits; Vicki Powers Memorial Park, Zonta Women’s Expo, Ups of Downs, Special Olympics Polar Plunge and Storybook Island just to name a few. One of Robert’s proudest professional moments came when Robert’s video production on internet crimes against children was requested by former First Lady Laura Bush to be shown at conference in Washington D.C. at which the former First Lady was speaking on this topic. It is his entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and generosity that has earned him the 2010 Silver Medal Award.

Tickets to honor Robert Sharp at the 2010 ADDY® Awards to take place on February 18th at the Ramkota are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased by calling the American Advertising Federation-Black Hills at (605) 863-2186. The price of tickets are $40, $55 after February 11th and includes a fun-filled evening of recognizing local advertising and marketing professionals as well as a fantastic dinner. Reserved seating is available for tables of eight only.

For more information about the event call Lane Shull at (605) 863-2186 or email info@aafblackhills.org

During this season of giving AAF-Black Hills has decided to do something a bit different this month and are opting out of our usual Holiday Party Luncheon.

Along with bringing in another top-notch speaker we will be collecting wrapped gifts for the Catholic Social Services Toy Drive. These gifts will be given to members of disadvantaged families in the area just in time for Christmas. If you would like to donate please feel free to bring a wrapped gift to put under the tree at our December Luncheon on December 15, 2009.

Here is a short list of gifts they are in need of:

• Adult Mothers
• Girls Ages 3-17
• Adult Fathers
• Boys Ages 3-14

We recommend a $20-25 gift for an individual listed above. Please add the age and gender on the tag.

About Catholic Social Services

Catholic Social Services (CSS) was founded in 1971. The agency mission is to provide professional Social Services to people of all socio-economic, ethnic, and religious affiliations in western SD.

We offer mental health counseling, youth prevention services, educational programs, birth parent and adoption services, and put special emphasis on reaching out to the economically disadvantaged populations in our region.

At CSS, we work with people struggling with life’s varied circumstances. Whether problems are large or small, our professional counselors are here to help.  We offer individual, family, marriage and group counseling in Rapid City and our outreach offices.  Catholic Social Services also works closely with the United Way of the Black Hills.

Click image to see full size

The American Advertising Federation – Black Hills (AAF-Black Hills), formerly the Black Hills Advertising Federation, has issued its Call-for-Entries for the 2010 ADDY Awards Competition.

The 2010 AAF-Black Hills ADDY Awards Competition recognizes exceptional advertising created in western South Dakota as well as northeastern Wyoming and western Nebraska.  The ADDY Awards honor advertising excellence in all media including print, broadcast, out-of-home and public service advertising.

All entries much be received by 5:00 p.m. on January 7, 2010 at Western Mailers.  Entry fees are $45 for members of AAF-Black Hills and $65 for non-members.  Click here to download complete rules and regulations, or or visit our ADDY® Awards Page for more info.

The AAF-Black Hills ADDY Award winners will be honored during a banquet on February 18, 2010 at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center in Rapid City.  Winners of the AAF-Black Hills ADDY Awards are eligible to compete in the second level of the three-tiered ADDY Awards Competition, the District 8 ADDY Awards conducted in March.  The District 8 winners are then eligible for the ultimate competition, the national ADDY, presented in June every year by the American Advertising Federation.

The Silver Medal Award will also be presented during the ADDY Awards banquet.  This award is given to a member in the industry that has made outstanding contributions to advertising, and has been active in furthering the industry’s standards.  The Silver Medal Award is considered by the American Advertising Federation and the AAF-Black Hills as the highest honor to be bestowed upon a practitioner by their peers.

The AAF-Black Hills ADDY Awards competition is sponsored by the AAF-Black Hills, a member association composed of advertising and media professionals.  Proceeds from the Advertising Awards help support the AAF-Black Hills’ educational programs, public service projects and proactive government relations efforts.

For more information, please contact Lane Shull at 605-863-2186, info@aafblackhills.org or visit our ADDY® Awards Page.

The American Advertising Federation-Black Hills (formerly Black Hills Advertising Federation) is encouraging local non-profit organizations to apply for the annual Public Service Campaign promotion. 

Each year, one non-profit organization is chosen to receive a full advertising campaign to benefit their organization.  The campaign, which is designed specifically for the chosen non-profit, is produced and implemented by the members of AAF-Black Hills.

New this year, the AAF-Black Hills Board of Directors will choose a second non-profit organization to be used in a marketing competition for local college students. These talented students will compete in March with ready-to-implement plans and the non-profit organization will be the judge.

Non-profits can review the Public Service Campaign guidelines and download an application at www.aafblackhills.org/public-service.  For more information, please call Lane Shull at 605-863-2186.

Applications must be postmarked by December 1, 2009.

The American Advertising Federation-Black Hills (formerly Black Hills Advertising Federation) is now accepting nominations for the 2010 Silver Medal Award.

The Silver Medal Award recognizes men and women who have made outstanding contributions to advertising and have been active in furthering the industry’s standards. It also acknowledges creative excellence and responsibility in areas of social concern. The award is considered by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) as the highest honor bestowed upon a practitioner by his/her peers.

Some of the past Silver Medal winners have been: Dan & Kathy Simpson, Michelle Lintz, Gogie Enstad, Bob Laskowski, Kevin Philips, Lia Green, Kyle Mattison, Michael Derby, Tom Franklin, and Helen Duhamel just to name a few. Click here to view our complete list of Silver Medal recipients and download a nomination form.

The winner of the award will be honored at the 2010 ADDY® Awards & Silver Medal Ceremony February 18, 2010 at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center.

If you know someone deserving of this prestigious award among an organization, business or peers, please download a nomination form. You can also email info@aafblackhills.org or call 605-863-2186 for more info.

Nominations will be accepted until December 4, 2009.