The first level of the 3-tiered national contest with over 30,000 entries nationwide

put on by the American Advertising Federation.

Important Dates

October 1, 2020 Competition Opens

January 14, 2021 Q&A Entry Webinar

January 29, 2021 Entry Deadline

February 5, 2021 Late Entry Deadline (subject to late fee)

February 22, 2021 Winners Notified

March 17, 2021 Gala Awards Show (Time/Location TBA)

April 1, 20201 Deadline to Forward Eligible entries to District Competition

Deadline to order duplicate or upgraded awards

Cost to Enter:

Professional Entries: $185 each individual entry; $195 for each campaign entry

Student Entries: $ 45 for each individual entry; $55 for each campaign entry

About the American Advertising Awards.

The American Advertising Awards are the advertising industry's largest and most representative competition, recognizing creative excellence and the very best advertising both in local competitions and nationwide. Also known as the ADDY's, the American Advertising Awards are sponsored by the American Advertising Federation and represent the true creative spirit of advertising by recognizing all forms of advertising, from all types of media, created by all sizes and types of entrants, from anywhere in the country. There are now about 30,000 total entries.

The American Advertising Awards are unique among all advertising creative competitions. It is the only competition that includes three rigorous levels of judging. The Los Angeles competition is one of about 200 local competitions throughout the nation. Entries are first judged at a local level. Local winners then advance to 15 regional competitions. Finally, regional winners advance to the national finals. Awards are given to winners at all three levels of the competition: locally, district wide and nationally.

Gold and Silver winners from the Los Angeles professional competition will automatically move on to the district competition. Bronze winners may choose to move to the district competition if the entrant pays the district entry fee. In the Student competition, Gold winners move on to the district competition automatically while Silver and Bronze winners may move on if the entrant pays the district entry fee. The district competition includes winners from the competitions from Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Las Vegas, Coastal California (Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties), Inland Empire and Palm Springs. Gold winners from the district competition move on to compete in the national final to compete against the best work from throughout the nation.

Rules and Categories

Please Note:

Rules and Categories change every year. If you have documents from previous years, please do not use them.

Only use the rules and categories for the current competition year from the links below.

New Categories for 2021:

Political Advertising

2021 Professional

Rules & Categories

2021 Student

Rules & Categories

Student Competition

The American Advertising Awards Student Competition has an abbreviated set of categories that covers all major aspects of the advertising and design industry. This structure will provide a competitive framework and allow students to showcase their talent. The work will be held to the high creative standards and will be judged by a leading panel of talented creative professionals and experienced judges. Local Gold Winners will be automatically forwarded to the District competition for a chance to compete at the national finals

Cost:
$45 Each Individual Entry
$55 Each Campaign Entry

Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited U.S. educational institution. Recent graduates are eligible if the entry was created while a student. Work may be developed specially for this competition or submitted from previous projects or competitions. Work developed for paying clients will not be accepted with the exception of work created for student publications. Work must be created while entrant is a student not employed in the advertising industry. Student interns are eligible.