The 2026 American Advertising Awards Gala Show & Silver Medal Presentation
Creativity is Human
This year's gala is sure to be an unforgettable evening honoring the very best in advertising across the Greater Seattle area. In addition to celebrating the teams behind the work, we'll also take time to let the winning work speak for itself. Truly a night dedicated to creativity, innovation, and community.
Bring your team. Invite your clients. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the great work you've all created together.
Join us. Connect. Celebrate. Show Up
Event Details
Thursday, April 23, 2026
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Center for Urban Horticulture – NHS Hall
3501 NE 41st Street, Seattle, WA 98105
Meet the 2026 Judges
Anna Li
Anna Li is a NYC-based Creative Director shaping modern luxury across fashion, beauty, hospitality, and culture. Currently at VistaJet and formerly of Saks Fifth Avenue, she creates culturally resonant brand systems and campaigns across digital, print, OOH, and experiential.
Bill Cochran
Bill Cochran is an executive creative director for the Lerma/ agency in Dallas, Texas. With over (cough) years of advertising and 20 plus years of on-stage improv comedy experience, he loves to bring energy to the mundane and motionless. He has done work in virtually every advertising category – except biohazard remediation and falconry.
A career highlight remains turning a highly embarrassing “Reply All” moment into a Super Bowl spot called (not surprisingly) “Reply All” for Bridgestone tires which was named a top 50 Super Bowl spot of all time by Ad Age. The faux pas turned into 15 minutes of fame as he was featured on ABC’s 20/20 for his lemons to lemonade alchemy.
Bill lives by one simple truth found on his favorite bumper sticker: Mean People Suck.
Mary Ellen Farrar
With over two decades of production excellence, Mary Ellen Farrar brings a uniquely integrated perspective to the judging panel. Her career spans the spectrum of content creation, from serving as an Executive Producer managing post-production facilities, to hands-on Senior Producer roles leading multimillion-dollar, multi-platform campaigns.
A seasoned expert, Mary Ellen has consistently translated creative vision into high-impact reality for an enviable roster of global brands across nearly every major category, including automotive (Maserati, Toyota, VW), telecommunications (T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T), food & beverage (Whataburger, McDonald's, Clif Bar), and retail (Nordstrom, Walmart).
Mary Ellen’s work has been recognized with industry-leading honors, including an AICP Award, three Cannes Shortlist nods, Seattle Show wins and Best in Show in the Austin Addys.
Yoshie Hozumi
From Tokyo, cut my teeth in New York City, now in Los Angeles.
When I’m not at a computer or out on set, I like to get my hands dirty in my native California garden.
Currently a Creative Director at Media Arts Lab, making iconic work for Apple.
Vicky Mo
Vicky Mo is an award-winning Senior Art Director with over 12 years of experience, most recently at Wieden+Kennedy. She was recognized as a Next Creative Leader by The One Club, and made history as the first East Asian female professor in the Advertising/Creative Direction department at ArtCenter College of Design.
Winning an Addy doesn’t end with Seattle…
Your ADDY could win at the District XI competition in April or at the National Competition. To advance to the next level, all it takes is winning Gold or Silver at the previous level. Your entry is then eligible to proceed to the next level of the competition.
If you win a Gold or Silver Seattle ADDY, your entry automatically advances to the District XI competition.
If you win a Gold at the District level, your entry automatically advances to the National American Advertising Awards.
If you win a Silver at the District level, your entry can still advance to the National competition, but you will be required to pay a nominal forwarding fee. And it’s definitely worth it: Many district Silver winners have gone on to win Gold at Nationals!
Our American Advertising Awards team will be in touch with you every step of the way
Support the 2026 Awards Show Gala and Silver Medal Presentation event!
We’re seeking dedicated partners and volunteers to help make our Awards Show a success. If you or someone you know is interested, here are areas where your support is invaluable:
Award Show Volunteers: Assist with event operations and help run the show smoothly.
Event Sponsors: Gain visibility with a targeted audience passionate about creativity and advertising.
Event Photography: Capture the energy and highlights of the evening.
Event Video Coverage: Document the event for lasting impact.
Show Book Production: Create a professional keepsake that celebrates the work and the people behind it.
Winners Gallery Support: Showcase both the winners and your business in a prominent space.
Show Reels: Help us create dynamic reels that elevate the event’s energy.
Show Reel Voiceovers: Bring the reels to life with compelling narration.
Getting involved with AAF Seattle and the Awards process is a unique opportunity to demonstrate your expertise in front of an engaged creative community. Plus, our team is collaborative and easy to work with.
If you’re interested or have referrals, please reach out. Together, we can build an outstanding experience for Seattle’s advertising community.
Look back at the 2025 Awards Season
The Seattle Awards Celebration
The 2025 American Advertising Awards Seattle was one for the books—a sold-out celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent that powers our industry. After five years away from the stage, we came back stronger, louder, and prouder than ever. Here’s a look back at a night we won’t soon forget.
The National Awards Celebration
The in-person gala was held on June 6, 2025, at The Westin in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.