AAF Spokane

Meet the judges for this year’s American Advertising Awards competition! ??Douglas Kast from Shift Visuals “After falling in love with filmmaking while pursuing my degree in Radio/TV/Film at the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, an internship with a Green Bay Video Production company became my introduction to commercial video and photography. After cutting my teeth as an assistant and learning tricks of the trade from mentors who became friends, I moved into the Cinematographer role - where I could combine my filmmaker's love of visual storytelling with clients' goal-oriented marketing objectives. In 2015 I co-founded Shift Visuals; a client-focused video production and commercial photography studio specializing in high-end visual storytelling. We believe that a quality product results in a distraction-free and emotionally impactful message for the audience or customer. Along with a hard-working, midwestern attitude, I like to bring a sense of humor and playfulness to every set. A light and comfortable set brings out the best in everyone; from seasoned actors to inexperienced interview subjects, to the clients watching as the camera rolls. As much as we love creating a beautiful and genuine product, we also pride ourselves on creating a working environment that makes clients happy to come back to us again and again. I live in Green Bay, Wisconsin with my wife Jenna and daughter Wren.” You rock, DJ!

Thank you to all of our panelists and guests for making EmpowerHER such an impactful event in our community! ?? The next EmpowerHER+ panel is scheduled for June 2nd. AAF Spokane and Ladies, Wine & Design are so grateful for your support and we cannot wait to see you at the next one. If you have any topics you are interested in hearing more about, share them with us in the comments! Special thanks to our panelists: Andrea Williams, Amanda D., Ginger Ewing, Elisabeth Hooker, Alyssa Curnutt, Nichole Bouvette, Jennifer Fanto, and Mellie Price, MBA.

?? It’s your last chance! You have until 11:59pm TONIGHT ?? ???????? ?????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????. This is it. ???????? ???????? ???????? to get your work seen, celebrated, and on its way to the national stage. Don’t let this moment pass you by! ? ???? ???????? ????????????????????. ???? ????-??????????. ? Submit before your time is up!? https://lnkd.in/gTQEDmBP #CallForEntries #WeReallyMeanIt #AmericanAdvertisingAwards #SpokaneCreatives #CallMe

Know any marketing and advertising rockstars? ?? Nominate them to be the 2024 Ad Pro of the Year ? An Ad Pro is someone who inspires change in our community, excels at leadership, and is doing awesome work in our industry. This honor is not a lifetime achievement award and anyone in our industry can be nominated! If there is someone you admire and look up to in the marketing, advertising, design, and communications scene, nominate them today. They will be honored at the American Advertising Awards gala on April 12th! Nominations open through February 22! https://lnkd.in/gTzDTUcd Shoutout to Matt Bogue for this great design!

?? Happy Birthday to the incredible Carl Heidle! ?? Carl is not just an advisor to the AAF Spokane Board—he’s a tech-savvy genius, a great listener, and always ready with a quick-witted comment to keep us all on our toes. His expertise and humor bring so much to AAF Spokane, and we’re beyond lucky to have him on our Board of Directors. Wishing you a fantastic day filled with laughter, creativity, and all the cool gadgets your heart desires. Drop a birthday wish for Carl in the comments! ?????? #HappyBirthday #AAFSpokane #CreativeCommunity #Leadership #TechSavvy

If you’re in marketing, advertising, design, media, or any creative field, AAF Spokane is your community! We’re more than just a club—we’re a network of professionals, innovators, and creatives working together to learn, connect, and grow in our industries. ???????? ?????? ???????? ???? ?????? ???????????? ???????????????????? ????????????: ????????????????? ???? ?????? ???????????? – From networking nights to hands-on workshops and expert panels, we create spaces where you can learn, share, and get inspired. ??????? ?????? ???????? ???????????????? ?????? ?????????????????????? ???? ?????? ?????????????? ??????????????????????????? ???? ?????????????? – Build relationships with fellow creatives, agencies, and industry leaders who can collaborate, mentor, and open doors to new opportunities. ????????????????? ?????? ???????????? – As part of a nationwide organization, members get access to national resources, discounts, and competitions like the American Advertising Awards. ??????????????? ??????????????’?? ???????????????? ?????????? – This year, we’ve been focusing on what our community truly wants and needs, and we’d love for you to be part of shaping what’s next. If you’re looking for a creative community that challenges and supports you, join us. Click the link in our bio to learn more about membership! ?? #AAFSpokane #CreativeCommunity #SpokaneMarketing #SpokaneAdvertising #SpokaneDesign #SpokaneMedia

Monday is the day! Get your tickets now to reserve your spot! Can’t wait to hear from some amazing women in our community, like Alyssa and our other wonderful panelists?? EmpowerHER: Women in Marketing, Advertising, and Design in collaboration with Ladies, Wine & Design Spokane ??: February 3, 2025 ??: 4:30-8pm ??: Hamilton Studio ???: $30, $25 for AAF Spokane members Get your tickets here! https://lnkd.in/gJb2dqSY ?Meet Alyssa Curnutt If you ever see construction in Spokane and think, “I wonder what’s going in the there…”, chances are Alyssa Curnutt has shared about it on her Instagram page. Born and raised in Spokane, Alyssa has been a real estate agent for the last seven years, helping families find the perfect home for them in the city she loves. But Alyssa’s influence goes far beyond real estate. Through her fun and engaging Instagram videos, her goal is to keep the Spokane community up-to-date and in the loop. She shares everything from new businesses that are opening soon, to the best spots for a cozy date night or a restaurant that the kids will love. Driven by her passion for highlighting all the incredible things Spokane has to offer, Alyssa is dedicated to helping local businesses grow and thrive, while inspiring residents (and visitors!) to fully enjoy our amazing community. Alyssa has become a go-to source for anyone wanting to experience the very best of the city.

We’re getting so close to the next EmpowerHER panel! We can’t wait to see you there ?? ??: February 3, 2025 ??: 4:30-8pm ??: Hamilton Studio ???: $30, $25 for members Get your tickets here! https://lnkd.in/g67v4U65 ?Hear from Amanda D. Amanda is a marketing, design, and communications professional with twenty years of experience, including stints in Washington, DC and New York City at Fortune 500 financial services and consulting companies. Her career has taken her to India to train designers and editors for 24-hour creative services support, on press-checks for the American Express gift card division, to film sets to interview celebrity authors for the sought after J.P. Morgan Private Bank annual summer reading list, to a pro-bono rebrand for a non-profit supported by former President Obama. For the past eight years, Amanda has served as the Director of Marketing and Communication at Spokane Public Library. In this role, she has won numerous national awards, including winning the top award in library marketing —the John Cotton Dana—twice. Amanda played an instrumental role in transforming the Spokane Public Library into a 21st- century facility through a $77 million bond project, including the philosophy and creative direction behind the children’s play spaces and overseeing the interior finishes and furniture selection for all library spaces. Amanda is a sought-after public speaker on marketing and communications topics and is a board member for the Library Marketing and Communications Group. Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University and a master’s degree in journalism from University of Oregon. When not working on her next marketing strategy, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her three young children, husband, and border collie-mix, Tango.

Do you have your tickets yet for EmpowerHER next Monday? We look forward to seeing you there for this evening of fun, creativity, and inspiration! Plus, there will be snacks! ??: February 3, 2025 ??: 4:30-8pm ??: Hamilton Studio ???: $30, $25 for AAF Spokane members Get your tickets here! https://lnkd.in/gJb2dqSY ?Joining us on the panel is Nichole Bouvette! Nichole Bouvette has 30 years of marketing experience. She began her career in print at The Spokesman-Review, then moved on to television at KHQ and found her home for the past 24 years at KELLYBRADY, a full-service marketing agency in Spokane. She is currently a Senior Account Executive and has served many roles ranging from Receptionist to Account Director. She is involved in all things from creative production, media strategy and execution to client management. Nichole has been married to her amazing husband for 25 years, has two wonderful daughters and a brand-new granddaughter! She enjoys fishing and spending time with her very large extended family.

Make sure you get your tickets for EmpowerHER for next Monday, February 3! We’re so excited to have all our panelists, like Jennifer, on board to share! ??: February 3, 2025 ??: 4:30-8pm ??: Hamilton Studio ???: $30, $25 for AAF Spokane members Get your tickets today! https://lnkd.in/gJb2dqSY ?Meet Jennifer Fanto Jennifer is a seasoned operations and project manager with expertise in marketing, advertising, and organizational consulting. With degrees in graphic design and business management from Whitworth University, she blends creativity and strategy to align teams and streamline workflows. Jennifer has held key roles, including Senior Production Manager at DH, where she implemented a self-empowered team model, and Executive Director of AAF Spokane, mentoring leaders and advancing the creative community. Currently, she works as a business consultant and serves as Product Owner for International Websites at the IES Global - Study Abroad Foundation, managing digital platforms that connect students and institutions globally. Jennifer’s passion for fostering inclusive, innovative environments makes her a strong advocate for empowering women in the marketing and advertising industries.