Celebrating Creative Brilliance: The 2025 Inland Empire ADDY Awards
- John McCarthy
- Mar 25
- 2 min read
On a vibrant evening of March 21, 2025, the Life Arts Center in Riverside transformed into a beacon of creative excellence, hosting the annual American Advertising Federation (AAF) Inland Empire Chapter's ADDY Awards Gala. This prestigious event wasn't just an awards ceremony but a powerful testament to the resilience, innovation, and artistic spirit of advertising professionals and students across the region.
A Renaissance of Creativity
Mark Landon, the Inland Empire American Advertising Awards Chair, perfectly captured the evening's essence. "This year's competition has seen a remarkable resurgence," he noted, highlighting the return to pre-pandemic levels of professional entries and a six-year record for student participation. This isn't just a statistic—it's a narrative of hope, determination, and the unwavering human spirit of creativity.
Standout Achievements
The night celebrated extraordinary talent across multiple categories. Some of the most memorable moments included:
Professional Achievements
Best of Show: LONG/DIVISION's ingenious Internet Commercial, "Endless Pastabilities," for Barilla, demonstrating how storytelling can transform even the most mundane product into a captivating narrative.
Mosaic ADDY Award: Growing Inland Achievement's powerful Public Service Online/Interactive Campaign "Higher Endeavor," showcasing the transformative power of advertising beyond commercial interests.
Student Triumphs
Student Best of Show: Mackenzie Head from California Baptist University, whose "Doc Martins Campaign" in the Magazine Advertising category proved that fresh perspectives can revolutionize traditional marketing.
Special Judges Award: Noah Witt, also from California Baptist University, was recognized for "Grammy Branding" in the Art Direction category, highlighting the exceptional talent emerging from our local educational institutions.
More Than Just an Awards Show
The evening was more than a simple recognition ceremony. It was a celebration of the creative minds who continue to push boundaries, challenge conventions, and tell compelling stories through their work. Professional Gold ADDY recipients—including organizations like Associated Students Inc. at Cal Poly Pomona, Esri, and Inland Empire Health Plan—demonstrated our region's depth and breadth of creative talent.
Your Invitation to Explore
While this overview provides a glimpse into the evening's highlights, the full story awaits you. We invite you to explore the complete list of winners. Discover the Gold, Silver, and Bronze recipients, dive into the details of each winning campaign, and get inspired by the incredible work of both professional and student creators.
Want to Learn More?
The Inland Empire isn't just a region—it's a hotbed of creativity, innovation, and artistic expression. These awards prove that our local talent can compete with the best in the world.
Join us in celebrating creativity. Explore. Be inspired. And remember, great storytelling knows no boundaries.
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