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# AAF DC celebrates creative excellence at the 2026 American Advertising Awards
- URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/aaf-dc-celebrates-creative-excellence-at-the-2026-american-advertising-awards/
- Published: 2026-03-07T00:42:37.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-09T13:48:28.000Z
- Author: Capitol Communicator
- Tags: Advertising, Awards, #wp-top-right-sponsored, #Import 2026-10-08 18:56

### **Avoq Takes Home Best of Show for “Viewers Like Me” Campaign for PBS**

[American Advertising Awards – James Minichello Photography](https://jamesminichello.smugmug.com/Professional-Development-Events/American-Advertising-Awards?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

jamesminichello.smugmug.com

The American Advertising Federation DC (AAF DC) celebrated the region’s most outstanding creative work at the **2026 AAF DC** **American Advertising Awards**, held at **The Hamilton Live** in downtown Washington, DC. The annual event—part of the industry’s most representative creative competition—brought together agencies, brands, creators, students, and marketing leaders from across the DMV to recognize the work shaping today’s advertising landscape.

With a **1970s-inspired theme**, the evening mixed bold creative energy with a celebration of the region’s vibrant advertising community. Hosted once again by **Sonya Gavankar, Director of Digital Strategy at Axiom**, the event honored Creative workspanning film, digital, design, experiential, and integrated marketing.

The top honor of the night, **Best of Show**, went to **Avoq** for the **“Viewers Like Me” campaign for PBS**, recognized for its powerful storytelling and standout creative execution.

“This year’s work reflects an industry evolving at incredible speed while still holding onto what matters most—great ideas,” said **Gretchen Carswell, AAF DC American Advertising Awards Chair**. “We’re seeing smarter integrations, braver storytelling, and brands willing to take meaningful stands. It’s inspiring to see the creativity coming out of the DC market.”

AAF DC President **Lindsay Matthews** highlighted the significance of the competition’s role in elevating the region’s creative economy.

“The American Advertising Awards celebrate everyone who brings ideas to life—designers, strategists, storytellers, producers, clients, students, and agency leaders,” Matthews said. “Winning here means representing not just your work, but the strength of the entire DC creative community.”

Winning entries from the local competition now advance to the **AAF District 2 competition**, with the opportunity to move on to the **national American Advertising Awards**, the advertising industry’s largest creative competition with more than **25,000 entries annually**.

**“Best of” Awards**

AAF DC presented the following **Best of** honors for 2026:

- **Best of Show** — Avoq — *Viewers Like Me Campaign* (PBS) [Link to video](https://youtu.be/jXimh3Oba7M?si=5bSu5OT00XLPLOt%5F&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
- **Best of Online/Interactive** — Avoq — *Viewers Like Me Campaign* (PBS) [Link to video](https://youtu.be/jXimh3Oba7M?si=5bSu5OT00XLPLOt%5F&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
- **Best of Cross Platform** — ICF Next — *We’re Jersey Ready* (PSEG) [Link to video](https://youtu.be/BRiKumt7cuI?si=XCGKq4ZQiWkb2N2P&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
- **Best of Film, Video & Sound** — Mwendo — *To The Ends* (Advancing Native Missions) [Link to Video](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tag7qDgyrVyJpXo0AMLXJw34Xp0NneUL/view?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
- **Best of Elements of Advertising** — This January — *Welcome to Gumiland* (Gumi Yum Surprise) [Link to video](https://youtu.be/YGFdMgjjla4?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
- **Best of Public Service** — Interface Media Group — *SAMHSA – 988* (SAMHSA) [Link to video](https://youtu.be/sPM9-Vr1rhs?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
- **Best of Advertising/Media Industry Self-Promotion** — Salta With Us — *The Most Transparent Campaign* (AAF DC) [Link to video](https://youtube.com/shorts/ZH4QXZjIFfY?si=WfuBCjl-DO4jGreK&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**Special Judges’ Awards**

The judges also recognized standout work with **Special Judges’ Awards**, honoring creative pieces that sparked exceptional discussion during judging.

Recipients included:

- **Cade Martin Photography** — *Fragmented*
- **Yes&** — *CALIE: From Tool to Transformation* (California Association for Leading Innovation in Education)
- **RP3 Agency** — *Appalachian Trail Conservancy Video* (Appalachian Trail Conservancy)

**Celebrating a Creative Community**

The American Advertising Awards recognize excellence across more than 100 categories covering **sales and marketing, digital experiences, film and video, cross-platform campaigns, public service work, and design craftsmanship**.

The event also paid tribute to the creative community that fuels the industry in the region and remembered longtime AAF DC leader and creative mentor **Jeff “Cap” Capporizzo**, who passed in November 2025.

AAF DC thanked its sponsors for supporting the celebration and the broader creative ecosystem, including **Avoq, HART, Perion, GtP Media, Outside GC, and StackAdapt**.

[**Link to Photos:**](https://jamesminichello.smugmug.com/Professional-Development-Events/American-Advertising-Awards?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)