AAF Seattle

As we come to the close of a wonderful month celebrating and empowering women in our industry, we are still basking in the joy that was a truly unforgettable evening filled with creativity, connection, and community. Our Women in Creative Leadership panel event was our biggest (and sold out) gathering yet, uniting both new and longtime members of our AAF community. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible panelists and moderator,?Kennedy Carter, for the inspiration and insightful discussion. To our powerful panelists Stacia Allen, Valentina Gomez Bravo, Megan Hall, and Kalie Kimball. And to our hosts,?GreenRubino, for providing the perfect space to come together.?? If you loved this event, please share the word and consider attending our Annual American Advertising Awards Show Gala and Silver Medal Presentation next week on April 3rd. Tickets are limited so secure your spot today at www.aafseatte.com/events ??

Last night's Women in Creative Leadership event put on by the Seattle chapter of the American Advertising Federation delivered so many good insights! So many experienced, talented, and kind women, were both on the panel and in the room. I wish the event had been recorded because I know I won't remember everything I want to, but here are some key takeaways/comments: -Talking about the creative process: "My favorite question is 'Why?'" AND "People watching is gold"-Valentina Gomez Bravo, Executive Creative Director at the University of Washington -*Paraphrased: "Structure allows for great creative. If I'm told, 'Create something amazing' that's not specific enough and leaves too many questions. If I'm told, 'Create a campaign for why 13 year olds should be allowed to have smart phones even though their parents don't want them to have them. Talk to both the 13 year olds and the parents and keep the tone conversational, not preachy, that I can do somewith with." AND "Everyone needs an auntie. A parent will show you how to tie your shoes. An auntie will notice when you take an interest, show initiative etc. and encourage you to go after that thing, pursue that dream." AND "The big questions to ask are "Is this idea in good taste? Does it align with the client's goal and the data?' Whether I like the idea or not is lower level." [*Love that DEI take!] "-Megan Hall, Marketing & Creative Leadership, specializing in making healthcare accessible "Advertising has changed over time because now it's about experiences and personalization"-Stacia Allen, partner, Green Rubino "Being heard in advertising used to be about being the loudest voice in the room. That's starting to change."-Kalie Kimball, senior director, Web creative & Design, T-Mobile

See you all tomorrow! Only 4 spots left. We are almost SOLD OUT! Get your tickets ?? https://lnkd.in/gYCD9MgA

We’re thrilled to announce the 2025 ADDYs Winners Circle! ?? This year’s exceptional winners have earned well-deserved recognition in the Gold, Silver, and Bronze categories, highlighting the incredible creativity and talent within our community. A huge thank you to everyone who submitted their work — your innovation continues to inspire us all. Be sure to join us as we celebrate these remarkable achievements LIVE at the American Advertising Awards Show Gala on April 3rd! Individual and group table tickets are available on our website, but seats are limited, so secure yours today. Let’s come together to celebrate the brilliance of our creative and advertising community! ????https://lnkd.in/getf_yRH #ADDYs2025 #AAFSeattle #AmericanAdvertisingAwards Winner's Circle | Food Court Creative Wizards of the Coast Copacino Fujikado Paper Crane Factory Seattle Kraken Imaginary Friends Dave Holloway OKAYBRO VML BreadnButter Seattle Central College DH Western Washington University Indigo Slate Herd of Shepherds Hydrogen Advertising C+C PB& DNA&STONE University of Washington Designit

The results are in, and our 2025 judges have cast their votes! ADDYs award season has officially begun, and we extend our deepest gratitude to our judges for their time, dedication, and expertise. A special thank you to: ?? Nicole Jahns | Global Creative Lead at Bumble ?? Max Magerkurth | Freelance Cinematographer & Filmmaker ?? David Register | Executive Creative Director at MMB Learn more about our judges and secure your tickets for the 2025 American Advertising Awards Gala on our website. https://lnkd.in/getf_yRH #AmericanAdvertisingAwards #AAFSeattle

Join us to celebrate the power of Women in Creative Leadership! AAF Seattle and GreenRubino are joining forces to bring you an unforgettable event celebrating the trailblazing women shaping the future of our creative industry. Join us for a great evening filled with captivating discussions, networking opportunities, and refreshing drinks and appetizers. Our lineup of incredible guest speakers, including Stacia Allen, Megan Hall, Kalie Kimball, and Valentina Gomez Bravo, moderated by the amazing Kennedy Carter, will share their invaluable insights on forging successful careers, the impact of female leadership on organizations, and how to empower the next generation of women in creative roles. Connect with like-minded people and get inspired by the remarkable achievements of these women in creative leadership! Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn, network, and grow. ??RSVP now to secure your spot - Get your tickets at ?? https://lnkd.in/gYCD9MgA

We can’t believe it’s already been two whole weeks since we had the best time at our Social Media & Creator Economy Insights event. Huge thank you again to our event sponsors Creative People and Copacino Fujikado. We can’t thank our speakers enough, Emmalynn Cortes Ellendt , Kelley Myers, Sophia Pollock and Rudy Willingham, your insights and stories brought so much value to the community. Thanks to our amazing events director Bianca Urbina for managing this event from beginning to end and to our incredible volunteer-led board of directors Valentina Gomez Bravo, Andy Farnum, John Line, Maria Schnepf, Laura Murdock, and Cindy Pennington for their commitment to AAF Seattle and the local community. Our next party is all about the #superbowlads! Join us tomorrow, February 11 at 5:30pm for #ChalkTalk2025 at Copacino Fujikado the event is almost sold out. Get your ticket today ?? https://lnkd.in/gPpkkwzt ?? Photos courtesy of Bianca Urbina, AAF Seattle, Michael Patrick Hoyle and Hannah Crossman

The Super Bowl is advertising's biggest day! Join us for an engaging discussion diving deep into the most talked-about ads all year. This is your chance to dissect the creative hits, misses, and viral moments with fellow industry experts who live and breathe advertising. RSVP and purchase your ticket at: https://lnkd.in/gPpkkwzt #SuperBowl59 #SuperBowlAds #AAFSeattle #advertising #seattlecreatives #networking

Only 15 days left to submit your work! The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, February 12... And we will celebrate LIVE and IN PERSON! SEND YOUR SUBMISSIONS! Whether you’re part of a big agency team or a solo creator, your great work should be recognized. Enter to win by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, February 12. Visit www.aafseattle.com/addy for information and links to the entry portal. #addys #americanadvertisingawards #americanadvertisingfederation #aafseattle #awards #creativeawards #winanaddy #seattle #marketing #advertising #creatives #seattlecreatives

Tonight, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the AAF Seattle event, “Trending Now (and Later): Social Media & Creator Economy Insights for 2025,” held at Copacino Fujikado. This event brought together some of the brightest minds in social media and the creator space to explore the trends and innovations shaping 2025. The evening kicked off with engaging networking sessions that were both inspiring and productive, followed by a dynamic panel moderated by Emmalynn Cortes Ellendt, creator at The Creative Edition Podcast and a Forbes contributing writer. The speakers included: ? Kelley Myers, Head of Social and Influencer at Autodesk, who shared actionable insights into how brands are elevating their influence in the digital space. ? Sophia Pollock Pollock, Director of Social Media at TikTok Shop, who highlighted the evolution of e-commerce within the creator economy. ? Rudy Willingham Creative Director and Content Creator, whose fresh perspective on storytelling and authenticity left a lasting impression. The discussions were packed with valuable takeaways, from how creators are innovating to how businesses can adapt to remain relevant in an ever-evolving digital landscape. It was an inspiring look into the future of the creator economy and the pivotal role it will play in marketing strategies. A heartfelt thank you to @AAF Seattle for organizing such an insightful event, and special thanks to Valentina Gomez Bravo, Bianca Urbina, and the entire AAF team for their dedication to serving the creative community. It’s always a pleasure to connect with industry leaders and visionaries while gaining knowledge that shapes the future. To everyone I connected with tonight – let’s keep the conversation going! If you couldn’t attend, feel free to reach out – I’d love to share some of the key takeaways. Here’s to an exciting year of growth, collaboration, and creativity in the digital and creator economy! ?? #AAFSeattle #CreatorEconomy #SocialMediaTrends2025 #Networking #Community #SeattleAgency #SeattleMarketing #aaf ????Lizzy Hudson Shayna Stevermer C+C | All About the Good Copacino Fujikado Creative People Bianca Urbina