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What You Missed at AAF Inland Empire's April 30th Brand Webinar — And Why It's Worth Knowing About
Let's be honest about something. On April 30th, AAF Inland Empire hosted a webinar that — if you were there — you already know delivered more than most sessions do in twice the time. And if you weren't able to make it? This recap is for you. Andrew Wilkin, Certified Brand Strategist, National ADDY Award winner, and Inland Empire agency veteran, spent 90 minutes walking our chapter through his Complete Brand Framework — a working, battle-tested methodology for building a brand
John McCarthy
May 27 min read


Stop Confusing Your Brand With Your Logo. (We've All Done It.)
Here's a question worth sitting with before your next campaign kicks off: Does your company — or your client — actually have a brand? Or just a look? There's a difference. A big one. And if you've ever watched a beautifully designed campaign fall flat because the business couldn't back it up internally, you already know what that gap feels like. Whether you're managing the brand from the inside or advising one from the outside, the problem shows up the same way — a polished e
John McCarthy
Apr 93 min read


🎬 That's a Wrap: The 2026 ADDY Awards Gala Touched Down at Terminal 1
And the Inland Empire advertising community brought its A-game. Some awards nights happen in hotel ballrooms with round tables and rubber chicken. This wasn't one of those nights. On Thursday, March 26, the AAF Inland Empire Chapter took over Ontario International Airport's historic Terminal 1 — a mid-century modern gem that has stood in for airports across the globe in some of Hollywood's most iconic films — and turned it into the most cinematic awards celebration this regi
John McCarthy
Mar 294 min read


Lights, Camera, ADDYs! 🎬 2026 Inland Empire American Advertising Awards Goes Hollywood
📅 Save the Date Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM 📍 Ontario International Airport Terminal 1 1940 Moore Way, Ontario, CA 91761 Presented by Crown Connect. Your exclusive pass to a closed set: Ontario International Airport's historic Terminal 1, where Hollywood comes to film and the Inland Empire comes to celebrate. The Inland Empire Chapter of the American Advertising Federation is rolling out the red carpet for the most glamorous awards ceremony in our chapter
John McCarthy
Mar 14 min read


Building Tomorrow's Talent While Navigating Today's Disruption: AAF's 2025 Impact Report
Advertising drives 20% of the U.S. economy. That's $10.4 trillion in total output, supporting nearly 1 in 5 American jobs. Every $1 million spent on advertising creates 59 jobs across media, production, strategy, and creative roles. The Inland Empire economy runs on this ecosystem. Major IE corporations such as Stater Bros., ESRI, and Monster Beverage Corporation rely on effective marketing and advertising to compete nationally. Our logistics, healthcare, and education sector
John McCarthy
Feb 203 min read


Level Up Your Social Game: ONT to present “Humanizing the Brand through Authentic Connections in the Social Space: Ontario International Airport’s Open Mic Series”
The Inland Empire Chapter of the American Advertising Federation is excited to announce our next learning opportunity featuring members of Ontario International Airport's Communications & Marketing team. The panel will share insights into developing their award-winning ONT Open Mic series, along with actionable strategies to help professionals create impactful social media campaigns that humanize their brands. About Our Featured Panel Social Media Specialist Sabine West has
John McCarthy
Feb 73 min read


How to Connect with Inland Empire's Diverse Communities—and Turn it Into Engagement
You've got the media buy. You've got the message. But do you actually have the community? In the Inland Empire, attention isn't won—it's earned. And if your brand, campaign, or organization isn't rooted in trust, relevance, and genuine relationships, audiences will scroll right past you. This is the reality that Manny Sandoval and Denise Berver have navigated for years as co-owners of Inland Empire Community News . And on Thursday, January 29 , they're pulling back the cu
ken2930
Jan 113 min read


Mingle Bells 2025: When AAF and PRSA Come Together, Magic Happens
A Reflection on Community, Connection, and the Power of Collaboration The holiday season is often synonymous with networking events that feel more obligatory than enjoyable—gatherings where small talk feels forced and genuine connections are rare. But a couple of nights ago, the Inland Empire Chapter of the American Advertising Federation and the PRSA Inland Empire Chapter proved that it doesn't have to be that way. An Evening of Authentic Connection For three hours at the Be
John McCarthy
Jan 42 min read


Mingle Bells 2025: Where the IE's Creatives Deck the Halls and Make Connections
Let's be honest – December networking events can feel like a chore. Forced small talk. Stale cheese cubes. That one person who corners you to pitch their startup for 20 minutes. Mingle Bells is not that event. This is the one night in December where the Inland Empire's marketing, advertising, and PR community actually wants to show up. Where ugly sweaters are considered power attire. Where business cards are exchanged between bites of actual good appetizers. And where "let's
John McCarthy
Dec 4, 20254 min read


Your Work Deserves the Spotlight: Enter the 2025-26 American Advertising Awards
Prefer to watch instead of read? We've created a 5-minute video that covers everything you need to know about entering the Addys. Or continue reading below for all the details you can reference later. The American Advertising Awards in about 5 minutes :) That campaign you stayed late perfecting. The concept that finally clicked after weeks of iteration. The design that made your client's jaw drop. Right now, it's living quietly in your portfolio—but what if it could do so mu
John McCarthy
Dec 3, 20254 min read


IE American Advertising Awards Now Open
The Inland Empire American Advertising Awards competition for both professionals and Students are now open. For all the information, please visit: https://www.inlandempireaaf.com/enter Inland Empire American Advertising Awards Now Open
circocaballero0
Nov 9, 20251 min read


Making a Greater Service Imprint: Key Takeaways from Michael Barnett's Presentation
On Thursday, October 16th, 2025, the Inland Empire chapter of the American Advertising Federation had the privilege of hosting Michael Barnett, founder of Six-Sided Service, at Back to the Grind Cafe in Riverside. Michael delivered an insightful and actionable presentation on customer service excellence that challenged attendees to move beyond theory and into practice. The Core Concept: Imprinting® Michael introduced attendees to his signature concept of Imprinting®, which he
John McCarthy
Oct 29, 20253 min read


Nov. 13: ADDY Workshop
Ready to showcase your creative brilliance? The Inland Empire's premier advertising competition is calling your name. Mark your calendars, creative professionals and aspiring students across eastern Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, and western Riverside County. The AAF Inland Empire is hosting an exclusive workshop to unlock the secrets of entering the 2026 American Advertising Awards. Workshop Details When : November 13th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Where : Empire Undergrou
John McCarthy
Oct 2, 20255 min read


Transform Your Customer Service Strategy: Michael Barnett to Present "Make a Greater Service Imprint on Your Customers"
The Inland Empire Chapter of the American Advertising Federation is excited to announce our upcoming Lunch & Learn event featuring...
John McCarthy
Sep 20, 20253 min read


Step Into the Speakeasy: Meet Your New AAF Board While Networking in Speakeasy Style
The advertising landscape is constantly evolving, and so is the leadership that guides our industry forward. On Thursday, September 18th,...
John McCarthy
Sep 1, 20253 min read


🎉 A Night of Authentic Connections: AAF Inland Empire's End-of-Year Business Mixer Exceeds All Expectations
What happens when you bring together the Inland Empire's most passionate marketing and advertising professionals for an evening of...
John McCarthy
Jun 29, 20253 min read


Join Us for an Unforgettable Evening: AAF Inland Empire Chapter's End-of-Year Business Mixer
Thursday, June 26 | 5:30 - 8:30 PM | Arts Bar & Grill, Riverside As we wrap up another successful fiscal year, the Inland Empire Chapter...
John McCarthy
Jun 11, 20253 min read


Leveraging Yelp for Local Business Success: Beyond Reviews to Revenue Generation
Local businesses face an increasingly complex digital landscape when trying to reach customers ready to buy. While many marketing...
John McCarthy
May 31, 20255 min read


Leveraging Yelp for Business Success: Insights from a Yelp Specialist
The Inland Empire Chapter of the American Advertising Federation is pleased to announce an upcoming webinar featuring Erik Witzig, Senior...
John McCarthy
May 3, 20252 min read


Stories That Sell: What Max Ramirez Taught Us About Content Marketing
Ever feel like your marketing messages are drowning in a sea of digital noise? You're not alone. Our April 30th AAF-IE webinar "Unlocking...
John McCarthy
May 1, 20253 min read
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