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Our Entries for the 61st Annual American Advertising Awards
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Our Entries for the 61st Annual American Advertising Awards

Hunter W. Foster
Feb 19 2026
Written by Hunter W. Foster

We’re so excited to share that our team has officially submitted several standout projects to the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Knoxville Awards.

Being based in Knoxville, Tennessee, we take so much pride in the work we produce for both local and national partners. This year’s submissions span a wide range of disciplines—from immersive branding and AI-driven social content to high-profile web experiences.

Here’s a look at our 2025-2026 Addy entries:

Zoo Knoxville – “Aviary: A World of Wonder” Campaign

  • Best of Show + Gold

For the launch of Max’s Aviary, we built a campaign celebrating macaws as nature’s most vibrant storytellers. Vivid, National Geographic–style portraits and evocative headlines invited guests to see these birds as dazzling, intelligent, and worthy of awe.

  • Credits: Ben Maxey, Chris Cable, Ilana Stark, Kate Ambos

Designsensory – Brand & Website

  • Gold

Our own flagship digital experience! Rebuilt from the ground up, the new DS website embodies our evolved identity: bold, intelligent creativity rooted in strategy. It functions as both a brand flagship and a high-performance business development tool.

  • Credits: Ben Maxey, Joseph Nother, Erik Vass, Ryan Lee

Raptor Coffee Social Media AI Content

  • Judge’s Choice + Silver

To match the bold character of Raptor Coffee, we brought their mascot, Wyatt the Raptor, to life using 3D modeling and cutting-edge AI technology. This project let us create high-volume, high-quality animated content that’s as layered as the coffee blend itself.

  • Credits: Ben Maxey, Hunter Foster, Ilana Stark, Joseph Nother, Chelsea Penticuff, Abby Webb

Bush’s Beans – Bluey Web Campaign

  • Silver

Collaborating with the global phenomenon Bluey, we developed a digital hub for Bush’s Beans that felt like an extension of the Heeler family home. Featuring interactive “sticker” animations and thematic recipes, the site successfully bridged the gap between fan engagement and in-store purchase.

  • Credits: Ryan Lee, Courtney Borgers, Colby Johnson, Kate Ambos

South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development – “Open for Opportunity” Campaign

  • Silver

Tasked with attracting business and talent to the state, we developed the “Open for Opportunity” campaign. By featuring real people from successful companies instead of stock imagery, we built an authentic and persuasive narrative for the state.

  • Credits: Ben Maxey, Joseph Nother, Erik Vass, Ryan Lee, Chelsea Penticuff, Abby Webb

Our Other 2026 Entries:

South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development – Branding

We executed a comprehensive brand architecture overhaul for the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development. The new system includes a modern brand mark inspired by Sioux tribal motifs, symbolizing precision and momentum.

  • Credits: Ben Maxey, Joseph Nother, Erik Vass, Ryan Lee, Chelsea Penticuff, Abby Webb

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts – Branding

Honoring 80 years of legacy, we reimagined the brand for Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. The new visual identity features the “Arrowmont Alpha”—a symbol designed for artist reinterpretation—and a modular design philosophy that echoes the creative process.

  • Credits: Erik Vass, Joseph Nother, Ben Maxey, Chris Wise, Ryan Lee, Barry Hylton, Chris Talbert, Courtney Borgers, Mary Blair, Jenna Newton

Good Gravity Entertainment – Branding, Video, Web

To launch our new unscripted entertainment division, we developed a modular, lunar-inspired “G” mark. The identity system is future-proof, anchoring everything from broadcast lower-thirds to responsive web layouts.

  • Credits: Ben Maxey, Joseph Nother, Erik Vass, Ryan Lee
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