AAF Roanoke Celebrates the Best in Professional, Student Advertising

The best of advertising was honored Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at the Western Virginia American Advertising Awards Gala in Roanoke. More than 200 were in attendance to celebrate creative excellence in the region during the awards show at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. 

In addition to creative awards, AAF Roanoke awarded a Silver Medal to Jamal Millner. The award is AAF’s lifetime achievement award.  

The annual awards competition had 147 professional entries from agencies, firms, in-house creatives, and individuals, as well as 62 student entries from Virginia Tech, Liberty University, James Madison University, and Radford University. 

Branch took home the top professional honor of the year, the Howard Packett Award for Creative Excellence (AAF Roanoke’s Best in Show) for Branch Girl Construction Experience. The campaign also won a Gold ADDY award. Branch also earned a Judge’s Choice award for Hurricane Relief T-Shirt. 

The Best of Electronic went to Pinkston for Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth, It Only Takes One.

The Best of Print went to Virginia Tech Dining Services for VT Dining Services Drag Brunch 2024.  

The Best of Digital was awarded to Cry for More Than Shelter.  

The Mosaic ADDY, for work showcasing diversity in advertising, went to Red Velocity Inc. for Virginia Museum of Transportation, Black History Month.

Additional Judge’s Choice awards went to Virginia Tech Dining Services for Breakfast All Da, ACK Studios for Jaybird Tavern Branding, and AAF Roanoke for the Addylachia Award Carrier Barrel.

The American Advertising Awards is the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition, attracting more than 25,000 entries every year in local competitions. AAF Roanoke’s Western Virginia American Advertising Awards competition is the first of a three-tier, national competition. Concurrently, across the country, local entrants vie to win ADDY Awards — recognition as the very best creative work in their markets. At the second tier, local ADDY winners compete against winners from other local clubs in one of 15 district competitions. District ADDY winners are then forwarded to the third tier, the national stage of the American Advertising Awards. Entry in the local competition is the first step toward winning a National ADDY. 

AAF Roanoke was also proud to award special awards to leaders in the advertising and marketing industry. The recipients have demonstrated outstanding contributions to the field of advertising and marketing in the past year, and AAF Roanoke congratulates them for the work they do.  

Advertising Person of the Year was awarded to Meaghan Dee. Meaghan received this award for her exceptional leadership and mentorship as Chair of the Graphic Design program at Virginia Tech, all while balancing her dedication to social activism and community service.

Vendor of the Year was awarded to LeadPoint Digital for their dedication to creative excellence and outstanding customer service.

Three young professionals were recognized in the 2 Under 32 Awards. Kristin Chapin and Bailey Browning (Anstey Hodge Advertising Group) and Charlotte Roderick (Hawk Advisers) were all winners in the professional division for their work for Ad2 Roanoke, their performance at their places of work and their commitment to the community.

American Advertising Award Professional Winners

All gold awards will be submitted to AAF District 3 for further competition.

American Advertising Award Student Winners

All gold and silver awards will be submitted to AAF District 3 for further competition. AAF Roanoke forwards silver awards for students at no additional charge.

Jamal Millner Earns Silver Medal

The Silver Medal is AAF Roanoke’s lifetime achievement award. It recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to advertising and who have been active in furthering the industry’s standards, creative excellence and responsibility in areas of social concern. The award serves to enhance the image of advertising by recognizing a locally well-known person for his or her advertising and community involvement. 

Jamal Milner, President and Lead Software Engineer of M3:Grafix, has been a pioneering force in the advertising industry since founding his company in 1997. An award-winning creative professional, he has excelled in animation, web development, and emerging technologies like AR and VR, earning numerous accolades, including the 2017 Advertising Person of the Year by AAF Roanoke. Beyond his professional achievements, he has made significant contributions to the community through mentorship, pro bono work, and leadership roles, including serving as Governor of AAF District 3 and Diversity Chair for nine years. As a minority business owner and industry trailblazer, he has helped shape the advertising landscape while advocating for diversity and inclusion. His outstanding career and dedication make him a deserving recipient of the AAF Silver Medal Award.

Watch the 2025 AAF Roanoke Silver Medalist video for Jamal Millner here.

Huge thanks to this year’s event sponsors for helping make the awards gala possible: Lamar, Bison, Barrows, Muneris, Branch, and Houck Advertising, Media, & Marketing Network.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners.