New National Advertising Creative Competition Launched

(PRLEAP.COM) A new national advertising award show that features a unique judging format has been launched. The American Advertising Festival® is an online competition where all the entrants judge for the initial phase of the competition. The final decision on recognition for outstanding creativity will be handled by a blue ribbon jury of leading creative talent. Regardless of the judging outcome, all entrants will receive a summary of how their work fared under the scrutiny of their peers, including any comments about the execution.

The festival is the brainchild of longtime ADDY awards facilitator Mike Weber who served on the national ADDY committee for 17 years and was the chairman in 2004. "I saw a void in the national award landscape" Weber says. "We’re going to focus a lot of attention on the creative talent." In fact the tag line for the show is "Honoring the best advertising in America, and those who create it." Planned is a television show about select winning creative teams, a DVD compilation, as well as hosting mini sites for winning creative teams. Smaller details include even notifying the winner’s local press. "An award is worth more to you if more people know you won it."

The long range goal is to adopt a full festival format with a national industry event. "We want to become America’s Cannes" Weber says.

Entry is open now through April 15th. The award, named the "Eagle", features a stylized version of the American icon in profile on a medallion. Winners will be announced in late spring.

In addition to traditional mediums the categories also include mobile video, advertising innovation and viral marketing. All entry and judging is being handled through the web site www.AmericanAdvertisingFestival.org.