ADCD Annual Show :: September 24, 6pm

Beautiful and compelling work. Commiserating and laughing and with friends in the industry. A gorgeous setting. Drinks, food and entertainment. It's all happening on September 24th. Please click on the link below and we will see you there. Thanks.
RSVP Here by September 20

My Friends, this marks a major change

That ad, and you know the one we are talking about, did have a positive outcome, it got the industry talking. More than just talk though. It has impacted the way award shows will be seen. The One Club has changed the way they will be reviewed, ideally evident by the email sent out today. There isn't a difference between good work and good work for the client, never has been. Its the same idea Mary Warlick reminded us several years ago, when she was here reviewing the best of the best. Each award not only represented a great creative, but also a great account guy who sold the work and a great client who bought the work. There is the truth. That is where the power of a great idea lives, and (hopefully, more than ever) what those shiny pencils represent.

The 2009 Awards

ADCD Annual Award Show Judges from Don Cudney on Vimeo.

Thanks to our friend, Don Cudney, we were able to share a little of the behind the scenes. We will be releasing some of the insights from the judges as we get ready for the Show in September. Keep an eye out and a mouse click away.

ADCD Judge Numero Quattro. Entries due Friday May 29.

Call-for-entries for ADCD Annual Show has been extended to May 29, friends. And for good reason.

While we’re getting great response from all Denver-creative types, we want the crème de la crème for our rockstar judging panel, which now includes Will McGinness out of the legendary San Francisco treat of an agency known as Goodby Silverstein & Partners.

Will made his mark early at Arnold lassoing the highly-prized VW account, and soon became a playa in helping Goodby redefine the agency as a force in holistic marketing. His efforts for gettheglass.com, a breathtaking game for Got Milk? as well as the Comcastic web site alone shows his fearlessness in smashing through new walls to find creative ways to tackle new media. He’s also worked on Saturn, Rolling Rock, Doritos and Hyundai. Along with the tons of awards he’s won in virtually every show, he was the Interactive Jury Chair for the 2008 One Show.

Lots of great work rolling in. Is yours among them? Should be. The 2009 ADCD Annual Show is gearing up to be one of our best ever.

Go to adcd.com and show us your babies.

Award Show Judge Bryan Jessee

Hey, if you are not aware, consider this your own personal Awareness Message. The ADCD Annual Awards show is live and the Call for Entries has been announced. Want more, go to the online entry form and rules here. In the meantime, gather your best work of the last year and get it in. Remember, you can not be identified as one of Denver's best if your work is not listed as Denver's best. Besides, we have a steller group of judges, why not read about one right now?





We reached deep into cattle country to pull a star out of the Lone Star State. Bryan Jessee is a well-known veteran in these parts with a resume touting a who’s who of Texas ad agencies. GSD&M. The Richards Group. And today, McGarrah Jessee, an agency nestled in Austin that he co-founded with Mark McGarrah. The 75-person agency is quite a noisemaker, being represented in top advertising and design shows for clients such as Shiner Beer, Frost Bank, and Whataburger. McGarrah Jessee also hooked and reeled in honors for architectural design and two publications, proving that Bryan’s agency is one to keep a good eye on. They also operate a design arm called Chaos Concept Manufacturing.

Chase Jarvis

Hey Kiddies. Thought we would take a little time and get you up to speed on our up coming events. First, let's divide you into two groups. The first is those of you who know Chase Jarvis. If you know him, know he is the first of our Annual Show Judges this year and he is speaking for us in June. More details to come on that. If you don't know him, hit his website, check out some great photography and then come back here.

Now that you are all up to speed, check out some of the vids he has pulled together.

Oh, yeah, also know that the Annual Show Call for Entries is coming, and if you want, get the head start here, or just wait for the mailer. What ever floats your boat. Just get Denver's best work here so that we can flaunt it.

Legacy Award Winner 2008

Deborah Williams, proud business owner with Mayor Hickenlooper after the newly, Design and Image created, City of Denver logo was announced to the public at a press conference.

The 2008 Legacy Award goes to
Deborah Williams of Design and Image Communications

Deborah served as ADCD President in 1982/83 and on the Board from 1983-87, twice as Chairman.

Her firm, Design and Image Communications is a successful and well-reputed visual branding firm founded in 1971. Deborah has supported the Art Directors Club in many ways over the years, including participating in the Club's annual show where they have won their share of awards.

In addition to Deborah's involvement with ADCD, she was also President of AIGA Colorado and served on the national board of the Association of Professional Design Firms. She has also served on the boards for Safehouse Denver, the Art Student's League of Denver and the LoDo District.

More recently, Design and Image created the logo for the City of Denver in 2007, which adds a colorful brand to the City's marketing efforts.

As one of the pioneer women in Denver's design community, Deborah has seen many changes. Balancing the business side of design with creative work, Deborah is one of the legends in the community as well as in the Art Directors Club of Denver.

Judges Choice: Rob Sweetman

Rob's choice was chosen for two primary reasons. first the design was clean, sophisticated and well suited for its audience. the second, he just couldn't resist the irresistible small size.

Judges Choice: Howard Schatz

I enjoyed the day of judging---it was a privilege. The great work in all areas was impressive. The struggles that "creatives" endure in Denver are no different from what is experienced in NYC. I could "feel" the clever ideas urging themselves forth and the effect of a client watering them down, playing it safe. It happens. Every so often the client let's go and marvelous work comes forth---I saw that all day on Saturday. The images I chose as my favorites were elegant photographs, beautifully composed. Congratulations to you all, and thanks so much for the wonderful honor of including me.

Best of Show

Jim Landry
Not only did I think this spot stood out from the other entries, I think it would stand out from the sea of mediocrity on TV today. The story was simple. The animation was beautiful. The music was perfect. Even though I wasn’t sure what “Own Your C” was, it made me want to find out more - exactly what a good ad should do. Well done.

Alan Leusink
Among all the entries the “Choice” fairy-tale animation was so visually clever
that it easily became the show favorite. Beautifully animated, hypnotically paced—this short TV spot brought you into a rich, exaggerated dream land.

Judges Choice: Alan Leusink

Small things speak volumes. The “Petunia Pickle Bottom” spring catalogue is not only a collection of chic baby accessories, but elegant photography, classic typography and sophisticated design. It's design has characteristics of a familiar children’s book delivered in a refined, aspirational lifestyle—taking you through a world of visuals from Paris to Katmandu.

Jim Landry: Judges Choice

This spot made me smile. The awkwardly sized, irritated Genie was awesome–“tick tock…” The script was well written and the acting was great. The production quality of this ad made it feel like a national spot.

List of Winners

Big shout out to the people and agencies that can claim to be the best of the best.
Click to actually be able to read them.

Well It's About Damn Time!

The Best Local Work will be showcased on September 26th @ the Brown Palace starting @ 6:30 pm. 

RSVP now to secure your spot for the Show. Don't forget to bring a wheelbarrow to haul all your new hardware home!

THIS ONE WILL BE BIG

On Friday the 13th (yes it a Friday, there was a misprint on the invites) we bring in four of the brightest minds, from four of the hottest shops in design, advertising, and photography. They will spend the next few days identifying the best work in Colorado for our 53rd Annual Show. But before they do that, Howard will honor us with a presentation of his work and the talent that got him to the heights of his profession.

-AND-

While your listening to Howard you may want to lean over to Alan, Jim or Rob and pick their brains too.

RSVP here, for what promises to be one great event.

Call For Entries

Just a reminder, the 2008 Call for Entries is open. If you have the great work (we know you do) enter it, sit back, and let the accolades role in.

Joe Duffy to Judge ADCDs 53rd Annual Award Show

2008 ADCD Show Judge #1: Definitely not an average Joe.

That's right, one of the most respected names in the branding and design community—Joe Duffy, founder and pilot of Duffy & Partners. Joe and his troops changed and elevated the design game by collaborating with legendary ad agency, Fallon, where together they masterfully blended branding, design, and advertising. His sharp understanding of how design influences consumer attitudes has triggered many big ideas on all fronts—retail environments, brand experiences, marketing communications. Joe's work has influenced our very culture by pioneering brands and identities for the likes of Coca-Cola, Starbucks, McDonald's, The Islands of The Bahamas, EDS, Nikon, FAO Schwarz, and on and on and on. In 2005, Joe wrote the book Brand Apart (a must-read). It is a profile of the most powerful integrated branding case histories of the past two decades.

Needless to say, we're stoked about Joe. The show isn't until early fall, but we couldn't contain our excitement. In weeks to come, we will announce three more judges to join Joe in looking at the best work Colorado has to offer.