۴ýWins Six2026ADDY®Awards
۴ýWins Six2026ADDY®AwardsIncluding Three Goldsin for Creative Excellence Across Video, Digital and Documentary Storytelling
By Michele Mitchum
Gold and Silver ADDY®Awards advance to District-level American Advertising Awards competition
۴ý haswonsixAmerican AdvertisingAwards, known as ADDY®Awards,including threeGoldADDY®Awards,from the ۴ý Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. Theawardsrecognizecreative excellence across video storytelling, broadcastadvertisingand digital experiences.
The honors were announced at the American Advertising Awards ceremony held March 13, 2026, in ۴ý. The ADDY®Awards recognize work judged on creativity, execution and craft by industry professionals and represent the local tier of the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition. Gold and Silver ADDY®Award recipients will advance to theDistrictcompetition, the next level of the national American Advertising Awards program.
“Earning six ADDY Awards speaks to the depth of talent across our teams, from strategic insight to creative concepting and final production,” said Chad Garnes, senior creative director at ۴ý. “Operating within an in-house agency model allows us to connect strategy and execution seamlessly, creating breakthrough work grounded in human insight that captures attention and motivates prospective students to take action.”
This year’s recognition spans a range of creative formats, including animation, broadcast advertising, mobile applicationdesignand documentary storytelling.۴ý wonADDY Awardhonorsfor aninnovative television campaign that re-imagined the “tortoise and the hare” fable;anew take on emojis in a campaign designed to help students understand how to save time and money;a newmobileappto assist studentsseekingto leverage transfer credit, andawho scaled Mt. Everest while suffering snow blindness. The documentaryexplores perseverance,mindsetand the challenge of pushing beyond limits.
“Receiving an ADDY Award for this project was meaningful recognition for work rooted in discipline and determination,” said David Kniess,senior multimedia video managerforUniversityof ۴ý. “Bringing Brian’s journey to life was both challenging and inspiring, and his story reflects what it means to keep moving forward.”
Dickinson’sdocumentarywas the first in the University’s ongoing,whichhighlightsalumni’s incredible accomplishments in and outside the classroom. The series started last year asanoffshoot of the University’s popular.
“I was honored to be part of the ۴ýStory of Successdocumentary and to see the project recognized with a Gold ADDY Award,” said Dickison. “Strong, authentic storytelling brings important experiences to life.”
“Congratulations to producer and director David Kniess on a well‑deserved honor,” Dickinson added. “His ability to bring this story forward reflects the care and intention behind the work.”
۴ý 2026 ADDY®Award Recipients
Gold ADDY®Awards
Elements of Advertising, Computer Generated Imagery
Film, Video and Sound, Internet Commercial
Silver ADDY®Awards
Film, Video and Sound, Television Advertising, Regional and National Campaign
Film, Video and Sound, Television Advertising, Regional and National Campaign
Bronze ADDY®Award
UOPX Transfer Path Mobile App
Online and Interactive, Mobile and Web-Based Apps
According to the American Advertising Federation, the ADDY®Awardsrepresentthe advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition, with more than 25,000 entriessubmittedannually through local AAF Ad Club competitions.
The American Advertising Awards program follows a three‑tier structure: local, district and national. Gold and Silver ADDY®Award recipients from local competitions advance to one of 15 district competitions, with district‑level winners eligible to move forward to the national stage.
۴ý has previously received ADDY®Awards from the ۴ý Chapter in 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022,2020and 2019.
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About ۴ý
۴ý innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu/blog.html.
