RIESTER

Peers from advertising firms across the nation recognized the creative work of local firm RIESTER over the weekend at the Phoenix 24th Annual American Advertising Federation (AAF) ADDY Awards ceremony. By the end of the evening RIESTER had accumulated 15 awards for creative excellence, including three Gold awards, six Silver and six Bronze. While the awards were the focus of the evening, two of RIESTER’s leading experts were acknowledged for their work in the industry by being included as finalists for the 2008 J. Terry Groener Ad Person of the Year Award.

On the list of Gold awards was a point of sale poster for Gold’s Gym and a commemorative poster for the Cactus League Experience. Maricopa County Air Quality Department’s Clean Air initiative also took the top honor for its “Running Out of Air” thirty-second television commercial. As Gold ADDY winners, these three creative executions will be submitted for competition at the AAF District 12 ADDY Awards in Tucson, Ariz. on April 4.

The Silver awards also featured poster campaigns for Los Angeles Animal Services and Noble Beast. McDonald’s of Southern Idaho won a Silver award for an out-of-home piece featuring Ronald McDonald’s golf shoes; and Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau won a Silver designation for the online campaign titled “Dream.”

The Arizona Lottery won two Bronze awards both for thirty-second television commercials titled “¡Andale!” and “On Second Thought.” Additional Bronze awards included poster campaigns for the Cactus League Experience, Microblend Technologies, and Noble Beast. Finally, RIESTER’s own RIESTER Foundation website won a Bronze ADDY for its innovative flash design.

“We love the fact that we have clients who expect good, creative work. It’s gratifying to see them and our people get recognized,” said Tom Ortega, executive creative director for RIESTER. “RIESTER has won many awards in its 20 years as a marketing firm and we are truly humbled by each one. Any time we win an award it is because every discipline within our agency did something right.”

In addition to the many awards an event highlight was the inclusion of Mirja Riester, executive director of context planning; and Michael Murphy, executive director of media services as strong finalists for the coveted J. Terry Groener Ad Person of the Year Award. This award is given to Phoenix advertising professionals who exemplify the betterment of the advertising industry and are an active participant in community service. Tim Riester, president and CEO won the prestigious award in 2005.

The annual ceremony, hosted by the Phoenix Advertising Club, was held on March 14 at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, Ariz. Each year the competition recognizes and rewards outstanding creative work in the art of advertising and is the industry’s largest, toughest and most representative competition for creative excellence. Work is judged by creative firms outside of the competing city. Gold Award winners will compete in the AAF District 12 ADDY awards on April 4, with top winners advancing to the Worldwide ADDY Awards competition on June 6 in Washington, D.C.