Entries are now being accepted for the 2012-13 American Advertising Federation of Southwest Virginia ADDY Awards Competition. The competition recognizes creative talent in advertising in southwest Virginia. Entries must be received at Wild Flour Bakery in Abingdon by 8 p.m. Jan. 9. Entry fees are $95 for members of AAF SWVA and $100 for nonmembers through Friday. Fees will increase after this date. Student entry fee is $25.

For more information, contact Elana Todt, the ADDY Awards competition chair at (423) 742-2545 or elana.todt@aafswva.com or visit http://aafswva.com/addys.

Here is the press release from The American Advertising Federation of Southwest Virginia.

DECEMBER 9, 2012, ABINGDON, VIRGINIA — The American Advertising Federation of Southwest Virginia has issued its Call-for-Entries for the 2012-2013 AAF SWVA ADDY® Awards Competition.

Jeremy Bise, AAF SWVA President, said, “We’re very excited to hold our organization’s first ever ADDY Awards. Recognizing and rewarding the immense creative talent in Southwest Virginia is a big deal and we’re happy to do it.  Plus, the competitive nature of the ADDYs is sure to increase the quality of advertising creative produced in our area.”

The very first annual AAF SWVA ADDY Awards Competition recognizes exceptional advertising created in the Southwestern Virginia area. AAF SWVA’s competition will cover entries from the 276 area code.  The ADDY Awards honor advertising excellence in all media including print, broadcast, interactive, out-of-home and public service advertising.

Lee Coburn, President of Coburn Creative in Glade Spring, VA, expressed his excitement, stating “It’s time, ladies and gentlemen! For the last 12 months, we have slaved, battled creative block, wrestled with clients, cursed Adobe, lost sleep, lost hair, and perhaps, smoked too many cigarettes… and for what? For this moment — this glorious moment — where we dismiss that feeling of “stop judging me” and invite it, showing off our finest work. It’s time to taste the sweet nectar of recognition and reward! Now let’s get out there and give ‘em hell!”

All entries must be received by 8pm on January 9th at Wild Flour Bakery in Abingdon, Virginia. Entry fees for single entries are $95 for members of AAF SWVA and $110 for non-members. Standard entry fees apply through December 21st. After that, increased late pricing will apply up until the drop off date of January 9th. Student competition entries are $25.

A distinguished panel of advertising creative executives will gather in Roanoke, Virginia the weekend of January 18th to select the winners from an anticipated 75 entries. To be eligible for consideration of an ADDY, all work must have been published or aired between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2012.

The AAF SWVA ADDY Awards winners will be honored during a festive dinner gala on February 23, 2012 at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Virginia. Winners of the AAF SWVA ADDY Awards are eligible to compete in the second level of the three-tiered ADDY Awards Competition, the District 3 ADDY Awards. The District 3 winners are then eligible for the ultimate competition, the national ADDY, presented in June every year by the American Advertising Federation.

The AAF ADDY Awards Competition is sponsored by the American Advertising Federation of Southwest Virginia, a member association comprised of advertising and media professionals. Proceeds from the ADDY Awards help support AAF SWVA’s educational programs, public service projects and proactive government relations efforts.

Sponsorship opportunities for the AAF SWVA ADDY Award competition are also available.

For more information or to receive an ADDY Awards entry packet contact Elana Todt, the ADDY Awards competition chair at (423) 742-2545 or elana.todt@aafswva.com.  Or visit http://aafswva.com/addys for full details, rules, categories and entry submission.