Scholarships Archives -

2024 American Advertising Awards Recap – Camp Wannawinanaddy

March 16, 2024March 22, 2024Ad Club Of Buffalo

Before we get into the whole “camp” of it all, we just gotta say: the dedication and passion from everyone who put this show together was nothing short of inspiring. Oftentimes in our industry, things can get cliquey and competitive, politics get in the way of partnerships… it’s a thing. We get it. It happens. And yes, Mr. Smith Agency, dPost, and the AAF Buffalo Board had a beautiful camp romance, but we went into this show truly wanting to make Camp Wannawinanaddy a place where we all get together and celebrate each other no matter what “cabin” you’re in. Too kumbaya? F*ck you! (Better?) But we really did wanna make the best damn show we could for everyone because we love what we do, we love what you do, and because great work deserves to be celebrated. Period. Okay, now onto the show…

Nestled amongst the Villa Maria Forest, Camp Wannawinanaddy opened for its 2024 Winter Session (although, at 60º, we hardly needed our long johns).

After months of build-up and anticipation, campers filed in by the dozens and received their final Wannawinanaddy collector pins. Decked out in shorts, flannel, and sleeping bags (we even spotted a few visitors from neighboring Camp Crystal Lake), we were treated to s’mores, PB&J’s, and coolers filled with “Mommy & Daddy drinks.” After a few hugs and “Hello’s,” Camp Director Tony ushered us from Registration, up through Brand Rapids, and into Camp Wannawinanaddy.

Once inside, Camp Creator, Frank Cappola, treated everyone to a gorgeous landscape that set the tone for a spectacular show. Our Camp Counselors, Mary, Lindsay, and Evan, kicked off the evening and we got right into the awards. It was a show that saw us celebrate tons of fellow campers for their year of hard work and creative results—including junior camper, Jennifer Lay, who took home Student Best of Show! And we honored some extra special bunkmates: Dre LoPiccolo (Future Star), Kyle Rogers (Joe Crowley Award for Service), and Crista Pfahler (Levy-Osborn Excellence in Communication). We had a sing-along, tug-of-war, there was a raccoon and a bear… it was campin’ good time.

Crowley Webb’s haul shined as bright as the stars above, taking home a truly impressive 40 awards. But smaller shops won big too – especially Abbey Mecca, taking home golds, the Mosaic Award, and Best of Show for their work with The Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, “Two Wars: The Road to Integration.”

We’re clearly partial but this night felt like some good clean fun. And for as much as we wanna win an addy, we also wanna celebrate our friends and colleagues. Congrats to all the winners—we hope you had fun. If you wanna relive the evening, click here for the entire run-of-show or here for the full gallery.

(and it’s worth mentioning again… this show would not have happened without the massive support and guidance from Tracy Rozler at Villa, Shannon Silva, and Frank Cappola. A shout-out to all long-hours from the judges, Anibal, Chris, and Lauren. And one again to Mr. Smith for the theme and branding, the site, assembling awards, compiling the showbook… and dPost for writing the show, doing the reels, making some killer videos, and logistic-ing like you wouldn’t believe.)

Events Students Stuff

RECAP: The 2023 BIG TIP-OFF

August 24, 2023February 15, 2024Ad Club Of Buffalo

Wednesday, August 23rd was a “hump day” for the books as AAF Buffalo hosted its annual Big Tip-Off event. No, we’re not talking about tips of advice. We’re talking about bar tips that go to a good cause! That’s right, The Big Tip-Off is a night where advertising and marketing pros volunteer to bartend, and their colleagues, friends, and families tip them as they compete to raise the most money for AAF Buffalo’s Scholarship Fund.

Crowd of industry professionals talking Crowd gathers on the rooftop of Soho as they raise money for scholarships

This year, we headed back to the beautiful rooftop of Soho. Eight people represented their companies behind the pine, where they had 45 minutes to collect as many tips as possible. To raise the most money possible, agencies did what they do best – got creative. Amanda Widzinski of Mower went with a tattoo theme, handing out tattoos for tips. Devan Brady of Ingram Micro capitalized on the Barbie craze with a signature glittery pink drink. And Andy Rose of dPost, dressed as a unicorn. We’re not sure that theme had much rhyme or reason to it, other than unicorns never go out of style.

By the end of the night we raised $3,800! All of the tips went directly to the AAF Buffalo scholarship fund and will be used to support high school and college students interested in continuing their studies in advertising.

So, who took home the glittery gold trophy this year?

Crowley Webb came in 1st place for money raised
dPost came in 2nd place
and Mower came in 3rd place

Scanning the QR codes to tip their favorite bartender Huge shout out to the participating companies for lending their bartending talents for the night and adding their own personal touches to the open bar.

The Martin Group
Mr. Smith Agency
Farm
dPost
Mower
Crowley Webb
Ingram Micro

Thank you to all who came out and donated. It’s always fun to close out the Buffalo summer with some hot competition.

Agency bartenders dressed for the competition

It’s not too soon to practice your bartending skills for next year!

Blog Students

2017 Don Nichols Scholarship Winners Announced

May 18, 2017Dan Nesselbush

AAF Buffalo is proud to announce the winners of the 2017 Don Nichols Scholarship competition.

The theme for the 2017 competition was “Refugees” and students were provided with the following project guidelines: The news has been filled with coverage of refugees. Men, women and children. Seeking asylum from war-torn countries, hoping for the chance at a better life somewhere else. Some countries welcome refugees with open arms, other countries are imposing limits on the number of refugees they are willing to accept. What’s your take on this situation? What do you believe can be done to help? Bring to life your thoughts and opinions in any medium you choose.

The entry format was the contestants’ choice—an advertisement, booklet, essay, poem, illustration, poster, blotter, game, sculpture, photographic print. Macintosh compatible multi-media, three-dimensional pieces or reproduction quality prints were all acceptable. The competition was open to Western New York undergraduates in design, writing, communications, illustration, photography, or fine arts.

Without further ado, the winning entries for the 2017 Don Nichols Scholarship are:

1st Place $1,000 Scholarship – Katie Giglia of Villa Maria College

2nd Place $500 Scholarship – Erika Tozzo of Villa Maria College

3rd Place $300 Scholarship- Jessica Mjoen of Daemen College

The theme for the 2018 Don Nichols Scholarship Competition will be announced at AAF Buffalo Ad Week 2018 in October and entries will be due in April 2018.

About the Don Nichols Scholarship:
Don Nichols began teaching at the Albright Art School. He founded its Graphic Design Program in 1950 and brought it to UB where, until his death on July 7, 1987, he served as the program’s head and an extraordinarily dedicated teacher. He educated hundreds of graphic designers, a number of whom attained national prominence. Nichols received the Osborn Award for Creative Excellence from the Art Directors/Communicators of Buffalo and the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching from UB in 1982

Blog Events Students

2017 Portfolio Review Recap

April 7, 2017April 7, 2017Erin Collins

Guest post by Noah Herman, Daemen College ’18

On Saturday, April 1, Daemen College hosted AAF Buffalo’s annual Portfolio Review. Even though the event fell on April Fool’s Day, students gained real, insightful advice from graphic designers, art directors, professors, freelancers, and other types of visual professionals working in Buffalo’s advertising community. Those communication students who attended this year created just as much variety as their professional counterparts, with participation coming from Villa Maria, Buffalo State, UB, and Daemen College.

Almost like design speed-dating, students at the review had a timed one-on-one slot with each professional to go over the student’s portfolio and provide critiques when necessary. Students who also attended the AAF’s Portfolio Seminar, hosted at Daemen College in the fall, would’ve found the Portfolio Review to be the perfect complement to the previous event. Further cementing the advice given at the seminar, students were able to put to practice much of what they learned without the added stress of a “real-world” job interview scenario.

Some advice that crossed over from the Portfolio Seminar to the Review included:

The importance of walking the reviewer through the process behind your work.
Using the correct method to display your work (physical or digital).
Including a truly concise and refined collection of work in your portfolio.
The importance of including mock-ups that best suit the product you’re displaying to give the reviewer a better concept of your work.

Students presented their work from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. with a brief break for lunch, which provided a unique opportunity to make connections with professionals or other students. At the end of the review, professionals were asked to vote on the most effective portfolios for scholarships available to students continuing their education next fall.

The students that professionals felt were successful in this regard included:

1st Place: Noah Herman, Daemen College

2nd Place: Brooke Murgia, Buffalo State

3rd Place: Travis Springer, Villa Maria College

Honorable Mention: Joseph Petromicca, Daemen College

Congratulations to the scholarship winners and all those who worked hard preparing and presenting. Entering the job market can be a scary process for any industry, let alone such a competitive field. So, a big thank you goes out to the professionals who donated a large portion of their free time to provide useful feedback and advice to make the process a whole lot smoother!

To see Noah’s winning portfolio, head over to noahherman.com.

Events

The Big-Tip Off: The Most Entertaining Event Recap You’ll Ever Read

September 4, 2013October 28, 2016Ad Club Of Buffalo

The post below was written by board member Matt Low who graciously planned, organized, and MC’d this year’s Big Tip-Off event. Not only is it an accurate recap, it’s an incredibly entertaining read.

THANKS FOR COMING OUT FOR THE AD CLUB OF BUFFALO’S THIRD ANNUAL BIG-TIP OFF.

(The following is the actual transcript[1] of what the MC of Advertising Club of Buffalo’s Third Annual Big-Tip Off, me, said on the evening of August 30, 2013. It is purely for the benefit of those who couldn’t make it or those who couldn’t hear me that night. What is in ALL CAPS, is what was said on mic (I was yelling). What is in parens (like all this stuff), the writer, also me, will use to fill in story gaps. What is in BOLD CAPS, is what was said off-mic (I was yelling even louder). And what is in italics, is what I was thinking. Enjoy. Oh please enjoy.)

SERIOUSLY, EVERYONE, THANKS FOR COMING OUT TONIGHT. I’M MATT LOW. AN AD CLUB BOARD MEMBER.

As if you people don’t know who I am. They know who I am, right?

YES, THIS IS THE ADVERTISING CLUB OF BUFFALO’S 3^RD ANNUAL BIG TIP-OFF. ALSO KNOWN AS, “GIVE THE CLUB ANOTHER 30 TO 40 DOLLARS, YA CHEAPSKATE.”

That was a joke, people. I think I saw someone smile. Wait, can they hear me?

NO, SERIOUSLY. THIS IS A GREAT EVENT FOR HONORING THOSE UNSUNG HEROES OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS: THE BARTENDER.

Okay, no one’s laughing. Or even looking at me.

THE MONEY COLLECTED IN TIPS TONIGHT BENEFITS THE CLUB’S ACADEMIC PROGRAMS. SCHOLARSHIPS AND SUCH. SO, THANKS AGAIN FOR COMING OUT. ANY STUDENTS HERE TONIGHT?

(No one responds.)

Don’t do the Ferris Bueller bit. Don’t do the Ferris Bueller bit.

ANYONE? ANYONE? BUELLER?

Dammit.

ALRIGHT, LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE AWESOME BARTENDERS HELPING US OUT TONIGHT. KEN TRABERT AND SARAH NUENDORFER OF CENERGY. DAVE NAPIERALA OF GELIA. BRYAN LEFAUVE OF SKM GROUP.

I totally just butchered his name.

SANDY GINGERICH AND VIRGINIA BATES OF ERIC MOWER. SEAN RADLICH AND KARLIE BEIL OF TRAVERS COLLINS. MIKE GLUCK OF GLUCKWORKS. ANDY DONOVAN AND BILL COUSINS OF DPOST. AND JIM HETTICH OF CROWLEY WEBB.

IN A FEW SECONDS, THEY’RE GOING TO BE SERVING DRINKS FOR YOUR TIPS. AT THE END OF THE NIGHT, THE BARTENDER WITH THE MOST TIPS WILL TAKE HOME THIS SWEET TROPHY.[2] LET’S GET GOING!

FIRST UP: JIM, SANDY AND VIRGINIA, SEAN AND KARLIE, AND BRYAN.

TIP. TIP TIP. TIP.

Wow. I’m glad that’s over. What now? Drink? Drink.

(15-20 minutes pass. Our MC is now behind the bar.)

SO, IS EVERYONE HAVING FUN?

NO, THESE ARE NOT MY WIFE’S SUNGLASSES, SIR. BUT THANKS FOR ASKING. NICE FINGER.[3]

Seriously.

ALRIGHT, TIME’S UP, GUYS. SHIFT TWO, YOU’RE UP! MIKE, DAVE, BILL AND ANDY, KEN AND SARAH, GET UP HERE.

(Our MC spends the next 5-10 minutes making casual conversation.)

Boy that guy can talk. What’s his name again? His breath smelled like burnt cheese.[4] I’m kind of hungry. Okay, better push membership.

OKAY, PEOPLE QUIET FOR A MINUTE OR SO.

YES, YOU, LADY. QUIET! PLEASE?

I’M SORRY, YOU’RE GREAT.

I’ll FIGHT YOU ALL.

ANYWAY, IF YOU’RE NOT A MEMBER OF THE AD CLUB, YOU SHOULD REALLY LOOK INTO IT. THERE ARE TONS OF BENEFITS, LIKE DISCOUNTS TO AWESOME EVENTS LIKE THIS.

No one’s listening.

ALRIGHT PEOPLE, 10 MORE MINUTES.

TIP. TIP. TIP.

(10 minutes pass.)

ALRIGHT, AND THAT’S IT. STOP POURING, BARTENDERS. STOP. WE’RE GOING TO TALLY THE TIPS. IN THE MEANTIME, WE’LL AWARD THE DOOR PRIZES. TAKE OUT YOUR PINK TICKETS. WE’RE LOOKING FOR NUMBER 555689.

555689. 555689. 555689.

NO ONE? I’LL DRAW ANOTHER.

555417. 555417. 555417.

(This goes on for three straight hours.[5]

WELL, FOLKS, THE MONEY HAS BEEN COUNTED. AND COMING IN THIRD WITH $726 IS BRYAN LEFAUVE. COMING IN SECOND IS JIM HETTICH WITH $892. AND OUR FIRST PLACE WINNER WITH $934 IS DAVE NAPIERALA. COME GET YOUR TROPHY![6]

WE RAISED MORE THAN $4000 TONIGHT. EXCELLENT JOB, EVERYONE.

NOW, GO HOME. GOOD NIGHT.

I just want to go home and watch Orphan Black.

(Don’t get the wrong impression. This was a good night.)

1 “Actual” is being used very loosely here. It’s mostly true, but c’mon. I’m a writer.

2 It was not a sweet trophy. It was purchased from this crap trophy shop in my neighborhood. It had a guy in his underwear on top. And it was either that, a bowler, or a little girl playing soccer. What do you want for $30?

3 Didn’t happen.

4 This was actually a woman. And I will tell you who she was if you send me $5. [7]

5 Five straight hours.

6 Alright, it was a pretty sweet trophy.

7 Didn’t happen.

Blog Students

Two students awarded scholarships by the Ad Club.

April 19, 2013October 28, 2016Ad Club Of Buffalo

The Buffalo Ad Club recently awarded two bright communication students scholarships. That’s right, our annual Don Nichols Scholarship competition has come and gone, and Juan Esguerra and Marissa Caggiano won us over, to say the least.

The competition is named in honor of Don Nichols, who founded the Albright Art School’s Graphic Design Department in 1950. He brought the program to UB, where he served as its head until his passing in 1987. He educated countless graphic designers, some of whom went on to national prominence. Nichols was awarded the Alex Osborn Award for Creativity from the Art Directors/Communicators of Buffalo, along with the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching from UB.

The Don Nichols Scholarship competition has been around for 15 years now, awarding promising communication students a little financial help with their education. This year, Juan Esguerra of Daemen College was awarded first place for his “No Futuro” poster. Marissa Caggiano of UB took home second place for her “Roots” poster. Congratulations to both and good luck to all students wishing to take part next year. And students, be sure to look for more information about our next Don Nichols Scholarship competition in the fall.