UF's professional communicators and students earn 34 Addy Awards

March 10, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla.—Various University of Florida groups recently were recognized with 34 Addy Awards, including taking two of five Best of Show awards. The awards were presented at an annual ceremony of the Gainesville Advertising Federation.

The new UF television commercial, featuring the alter egos of various Gators as they pass by reflective surfaces, earned for University Relations not only a Gold Addy, but also Best of Show, the “Larry Edwards Award for Public Service.”

“The commercial reminds us that Gators make significant contributions and go on to become leaders in a wide variety of fields,” said Dan Williams, UF’s director of marketing.

Also earning Gold and Best of Show awards was the University Foundation. The Foundation won the print category for promoting the university’s fundraising initiatives with the UF Campaign Kickoff invitation. A Silver Addy was earned for the Foundation’s annual report.

Other UF award winners include the University Relations Publications Group which won a Gold Addy in the “magazine, self promotion” category for design of the College of Fine Arts “Muse” magazine. WUFT-TV/WJUF-FM earned a Gold Addy for its anniversary poster, and WRUF cleaned up with seven Silver Addys in various radio categories. The Florida Museum of Natural History’s annual report won a Gold Addy within the category of “advertising for the arts and sciences,” and struck Gold for its Megalodon billboard. The Museum also earned a Silver Addy for the Megalodon radio commercial. The School of Art and Art History earned a Gold Addy in the category of “collateral, brochure, sales kit” for its promotional brochure.

Several UF students participated in the competition, taking home a total of 16 Addys. Nicolle Cure and Melissa Hick led the pack of student winners, earning Best in Show within the student division for their project, “Gaiam Green Living Products.” In addition, Candyce S. Pilliner won the Student Judges Award in the category of “consumer or trade publication” for the entry “Arch Support.”

The Addy Awards, one of the premier creative competitions in the United States, is conducted by the American Advertising Federation.