DC’s biggest celebration of creativity is officially underway.
The call for DC’s most imaginative, impactful, and well-crafted work starts now. The American Advertising Awards celebrate the thinkers, makers, storytellers, and boundary-pushers shaping the creative landscape across the region — now with a retro-futuristic twist.
From design and copywriting to integrated campaigns, motion, media, strategy, student work, and everything in between — this is where DC’s creative community comes together to champion the year’s standout ideas and recognize excellence across every corner of the industry.
More than an awards program, it’s a showcase of the talent, creativity, and relentless craft that make DC a powerhouse of innovation.
Whether you’re submitting work you’re proud of or standing behind the community that brings our city’s ideas to life, now’s the time.
The portal is open. Bring your best work. We’ll bring the funk.
Categories, Costs & Deadlines
Each year AAF DC recognizes outstanding work by creative professionals in our area. The American Advertising Awards reward the creative spirit alive and well.
Click to see the full PROFESSIONAL Rules & Categories
Click to see the full STUDENT Rules & Categories
In addition to our usual award categories, we are continuing with our three local-only awards:
The Extreme Makeover Award: Your best rebranding work. Be sure to include the old work so we can see your massive improvements!
The Zombie Award: Your best work the client left behind or spec work that never made it. Bring your work back to life for this award!
The Influencer Award: Your best work that used a creator/influencer to spread a brand message through public sharing, commenting and expressions of opinions and content.
Entry Costs
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS: Early-Bird save $15 per entry. Late entry add $15 per entry.
Members: $120 single / $150 campaign
Non-Members: $150 single / $190 campaign (Become a member and save)
STUDENT AWARDS:
Members & Non-Members: $20 per entry anytime
Deadlines
Early bird deadline: Friday, December 12th, 2025 (Save $15 per entry)
Regular deadline: Friday, January 9th, 2026
Late deadline: Wednesday, January 16th, 2026 (Add $15 per entry)
All entries will be virtual again this year. NO PHYSICAL ENTRIES ACCEPTED.
FAQs
How are the American Advertising Awards determined?
A panel of judges will review all work in all categories and score the entries individually. Scores are tallied and averaged to determine the winners. A gold ADDY represents work considered to be “Excellent! I wish I had done that, top of its category kind of work. A silver ADDY represents work that is above average for the market and/or category. Judges will then get together and discuss awards they think stand out and deserve “Best of Category” or “Special Judges Awards”.
Who can enter?
The American Advertising Awards are open to all creative services and industry suppliers including but not limited to advertising, graphic design, photographers, printers, newspaper, radio, television, web, marketing and communication professionals, as well as students studying in these areas.
Can I enter the same work in more than one category?
Absolutely! Let’s take a print ad—it can get entered as a print ad. Maybe you didn’t like the way the ad ended up looking but the writing was fantastic, enter it in elements of Advertising Copywriting categories. Maybe the photography or illustration was top notch, enter it in the photography or illustration categories. Maybe you love the outdoor campaign was good but one was really good, try it in out-of-home campaign and single.
Why should I enter?
Entering the American Advertising Awards supports our entire industry because the AAF and its local and district affiliates use the proceeds to enhance advertising through programs such as public service, internships, advocacy groups, education and consumer awareness.
When can I submit my American Advertising Award entry?
American Advertising Award entries can be submitted online at any time. Entries must be in by Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2026. No entries will be accepted after this deadline. All entries must be submitted virtually. All entry submissions will still need to submit the signed manifest. There will be no physical submissions this year.
What if I have other questions?
If you have a question that isn’t answered here, contact addys@aafdc.org.
Questions?
New to the American Advertising Awards? Not new but submitting in a different category or format than you have in the past? We're here to fuel your success. To set up 1:1 help for your entries with an American Advertising Awards expert, reach out to the AAF-DC ADDY committee at addys@aafdc.org.