![\"Jordan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1024x768_JRichardson.gif\" "\\"Jordan")
Jordan Richardson’s work was recognized among the best. (Photo special to FAMU)<\/p>\nGainesville, Fla. \u2013 Florida A&M University (FAMU) was a big winner at the 2026 American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) presented by the American Advertising Federation North Central Florida chapter. The institution received five awards and FAMU School of Journalism and Graphic Communication
\n (SJGC) students and faculty were recognized with an additional seven awards.<\/p>\n
\u201cFlorida A&M University is incredibly proud to be recognized alongside our professional
\n and collegiate peers for excellence in branded content, magazine advertising, online
\n collateral, and other marketing initiatives,\u201d said Vice President and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer Alonda Thomas, Ph.D. \u201cThis prestigious honor from the American Advertising Federation is a powerful affirmation
\n of the artistry, strategy, and passion behind our work to elevate FAMU\u2019s brand on
\n a national stage. We are excited to continue to \u2018Strike Boldly\u2019 with innovative campaigns
\n that captivate audiences, amplify our story, and reflect the brilliance of our University
\n community.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ADDYs represent the nation\u2019s largest advertising competition, with local, district,
\n and national competitions celebrating creative excellence in advertising, marketing
\n and design. Conducted annually by the AAF, the local tier of the American Advertising
\n Awards is the first of a three-tier, national competition. Concurrently, across the
\n country, local entrants vie to receive an ADDY Award\u2014recognition as the very best
\n in their markets.<\/p>\n
FAMU received a Local Gold ADDY in the category of online\/interactive, websites, microsites
\n for the 2025 FAMU Homecoming: Eternal World Tour.<\/p>\n
FAMU received a Local Silver ADDY in the category of Film, Video, & Sounds, Branded
\n Content & Entertainment, Online Single for the FAMU 2025 Hype Video.<\/p>\n
FAMU received a Local Silver ADDY in the category of Print Advertising, Magazine Advertising,
\n Single for the FAMU Best of Both Worlds Drum Major ad.<\/p>\n
FAMU was also recognized with an additional two Local Gold ADDYs for work produced
\n in partnership with azure77, a creative marketing firm owned by alumnus Charles Collins III. The marketing campaign
\n for FAMU Homecoming 2025 was recognized in the category of Cross Platform, Integrated Branded Content, and
\n the FAMU College of Agriculture and Food Sciences Summer 2025 Magazine was recognized in the category of Sales & Marketing, Publication Design.<\/p>\n
Vice President of University Advancement Brandi Tatum-Fedrick, Ed.D., noted that the campaign for FAMU Homecoming: Eternal World Tour was more than a celebration,
\n it was a powerful expression of Rattler pride, culture, and global connection.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis recognition from the American Advertising Awards reflects the creativity, innovation,
\n and storytelling excellence of the talented Florida A&M University team and partners,
\n including our students, whose vision and collaboration helped bring this award-winning
\n campaign to life and showcase the unmatched power of FAMU,\u201d said Tatum-Fedrick. \u201cHomecoming
\n is one of our most treasured traditions, and the Eternal World Tour experience captured
\n the spirit, energy, and legacy of FAMU in a way that resonated far beyond our campus.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jordan Richardson’s work was recognized among the best. (Photo special to FAMU)<\/p>\n
Students from the FAMU School of Journalism and Graphic Communication were heavy favorites
\n for illustration and integrated brand identity campaigns. In addition to gold-level
\n recognition, two students were recognized with Best of Category trophies.<\/p>\n
Jordan Richardson received a Student Gold ADDY Award, Elements of Advertising, Illustration, for Peachy-A Self Promo Ad.<\/p>\n
Andrew Watson received a Student Gold ADDY Award in Cross-Platform, Integrated Brand Identity Campaign
\n for Your Shoes Your Story for Nike.<\/p>\n
![\"Andrew](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1024x768_AndrewWatson.gif\")
Andrew Watson. (Photo special to FAMU)<\/p>\n
Additional award recipients included:<\/p>\n
John Dehaarte received a Student Gold ADDY Award , Print Advertising, Magazine Advertising Campaign
\n for Drawing Out Voices for Autism, and a Student Silver ADDY Award, Elements of Advertising, Illustration for Drawing Out Voices for Autism.<\/p>\n
Nabrea Hardy received a Student Gold ADDY Award, Elements of Advertising, Illustration, for Divine Comedy, An Upside-Down Comic.<\/p>\n
Andrew Watson, Ashton Johnson, Jordan Barber received a Student Silver ADDY Award in Sales & Marketing, Publication Design, Magazine
\n for Journey Magazine: Politics Issue.<\/p>\n
Finally, a team featuring FAMU students and faculty received a Local Silver ADDY Award
\n in support of a campaign for a sister institution. SJGC Professors Anosh Gill and Kenneth Jones partnered with graphic design student Nabrea Hardy\u00a0and recent graduate Luis Arriaga to win a Local Silver Addy Award in Out-of-Home & Ambient Media, Poster, Single for
\n the MFA Student Movie Poster \/ Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeeing our students and faculty shine with AAF North Central Florida honors underscores
\n FAMU\u2019s strength in cultivating top creative talent \u2014 from visual communication to
\n branding \u2014 across Florida and the nation,\u201d said SJGC Dean Mira Lowe.<\/p>\n
Coming up during the second-tier round, Local Gold ADDY winners will compete against
\n winners from other local clubs in one of 15 district competitions. District ADDY winners
\n are then forwarded to the third tier, the national stage of the American Advertising
\n Awards.<\/p>\n
Selection of the most creative entry in each category is affected by a scoring process
\n in which a panel of judges evaluates all creative dimensions of every entry. A Gold
\n ADDY is recognition of the highest level of creative excellence and is judged to be
\n superior to all other entries in the category. Entries that are also considered outstanding
\n and worthy of recognition receive a Silver ADDY. The number of awards given in each
\n category is determined by the judges, based on the relative quality of work in that
\n category.<\/p>\n
Media Contact<\/p>\n
Rachel James-Terry
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n