Got milk? The Balcom Agency certainly did with its best of show win at the recent 2026 American Advertising Federation — Fort Worth awards.
The Balcom Agency took home the award — known as Addys in the industry — for its Better With Dairy campaign for Dairy Max, a Grand Prairie-based nonprofit regional council that represents more than 700 farmers across eight states.
The agency also took the best of digital honor for the Better With Dairy website, earning five gold Addys, two silver Addys and two crystal awards across categories including logo design, illustration and social media. The awards recognize outstanding creative work from agencies, brands, freelancers and students across the region.
The Fort Worth agency received a total of 21 awards, three of those for work on the city’s Lone Star Film Festival, an interactive campaign for nonprofit Center for Transforming Lives, as well as acknowledgement in social media for food and beverage clients Briannas Fine Salad Dressing and Xochitl snacks.
The recognition “validates that high-impact, creative and data-driven strategy aren’t mutually exclusive. They’re exactly what’s required to move the needle today,” said Ashley Freer, president of Balcom.
Dairy Max had a clear vision of what a Gen Z- and millennial-focused brand could accomplish, said Carol Glover, chief creative officer.
“The creative team that brought Better With Dairy to life really played to their strengths — from seasoned design eyes and crafty animation skills to a social first Gen Z lens and playfully powerful writing,” she said.
The Balcom Agency has grown from one client and a card table in 1993 to becoming a full-service agency with 30 employees.
Emcee Marc Istook at the 2026 American Advertising Federation – Fort Worth awards event on March 3, 2026, at Trilogy Studios. (Bob Francis |Fort Worth Report)
Fort Worth-based Justin Boots took home the crystal award for its Team Justin Rodeo Athletes campaign in the branded content and entertainment, non-broadcast category. The bootmaker’s Tony Lama’s Dia de los Muertos campaign was recognized with a silver Addy in the same category for the campaign that highlights the Mexican tradition that honors those who have passed and their legacies.
“We are thrilled to be recognized by the AAF Fort Worth for these campaigns,” said Taylor Morton, public relations manager at Justin Brands, in a news release. “Our team works tirelessly to bring the stories of our athletes, customers, and heritage to life, and these awards affirm the creativity and passion behind our marketing efforts.”
The American Advertising Federation – Fort Worth held its annual awards gala on Feb. 27 at Trilogy Studios in north Fort Worth.
Creative work was displayed on several stages in the studio with the main event taking place in the 12,000-square-foot cinematic volume stage that has more than 1,300 LED wall panels.
Fort Worth native Marc Istook, who recently left WFAA after six years, was the master of ceremonies for the event that saw the advertising graphics come to life on the giant LED panels.
Professional Awards Highlights
● Best of Show Professional
○ Balcom Agency – “Better With Dairy: Campaign”
● Best of Print
○ The marketing group at Texas Health Huguley – “Bronc Buster and Colonoscopies”
● Best of Video
○ Sawtooth Post – “All In | Docu Series Teaser”
● Best of Digital
○ Balcom Agency – “Better With Dairy: Website”
● Special Judges’ Award
○ Balcom Agency – “New Movers Welcome Box”
Student Awards Highlights
● Special Judges Award – Student
○ Moxie Diaz, University of North Texas
● Student Best of Show
○ Abby Coen, Texas Christian University
A complete list of winners can be found here.
Bob Francis is business editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at bob.francis@fortworthreport.org. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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