AAF Midlands

AAF Midlands was well represented at and not a day of that conference was lacking in education, celebration and good times.

Hot:
🔥 Hanging out with our friends from D3 and beyond.
🔥 Celebrating the accomplishments of David Campbell as he was recognized with the Barton A. Cummings Gold Medal Award for his service to advertising through work with the AAF.
🔥 Seeing Rhodes Branding’s name on the big screen as they were named #2 in the Mosaic 10 list.
🔥 Cheering loudly for ABLE vfx, Flock & Rally and Soda City Films as they won a Gold ADDY in the National American Advertising Awards.
🔥 Recognizing Lenza Jolley for her service as Council of Governors Chair.
🔥 Enjoying keynote speakers and round table discussions where we got to learn and grow in our craft.

Not Hot:
❌ Having to wait an entire year for in Anaheim, California!
❌ Renting a minivan and driving from ATL after your flight has been canceled.

Congratulations to our member, mentor and friend, David Campbell on this amazing accomplishment! We are so lucky to have you here in the Midlands.

Congratulations to David Campbell, the 2026 Barton A. Cummings Gold Medal Award recipient!

For over a decade, David Campbell has been dedicated to the AAF at all levels of the organization, having served in a variety of roles in the local, district, and national levels. David’s nominators shared “David is a servant leader who tirelessly advocates for others, ensuring that the next generation of advertising professionals is equipped with the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to thrive.”

Join us as we celebrate David and others at the Salute to Achievers Breakfast May 30th during . Learn more at aaf.org/admerica.

Last week we also got to celebrate Michaela Taylor, our AAF Midlands Board Member of the Year! We weren't expecting anything less, but this is such a great accomplishment especially since this was her first year on the board.

Michaela served as this year's Gala Chair and did what many only dream of. She planned and executed a sold-out American Advertising Awards Gala that had everyone talking. From start to finish, the evening was nothing short of exceptional, and the praise it received was a direct reflection of her dedication, creativity, and hard work. Be sure to hire MT Events for your next party 😏

Michaela, thank you for pouring your heart into this event and giving our community a night to remember. What a way to make your mark.

📣 Last chance to register! This Wednesday, we're breaking bread with the founders of one of the South's sharpest creative shops, Wier/Stewart.

Alex Wier and Daniel Stewart have been building beauty-meets-brains brand work out of Augusta since 2005. Now they're sharing what it's really like on the inside.

Lunch is on us. Conversation is priceless.
Free for members / $25 non-members → https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aaf-midlands-may-lunch-and-learn-tickets-1988365274060?aff=oddtdtcreator

Interested in learning about what is coming next in advertising? ADMERICA, AAF's national conference, offers attendees a comprehensive look into the future of the industry through insights from leaders at top advertising, marketing, and media firms.

Beyond the professional development sessions, the conference also features the American Advertising Awards Gala, which recognizes the year’s premier achievements in advertising. The event also hosts the National Student Advertising Competition finals, where the top eight teams present their strategic pitches for the 2026 client: the National Football League.
Interested in learning more? Head to aaf.org/ADMERICA to get registered.

What does it actually take to run an independent creative agency right now? The market is weird. Clients are cautious. Culture is... a lot. And yet some shops are not just surviving — they're doing the best work of their lives.

Alex Wier & Daniel Stewart of Wier / Stewart are pulling back the curtain at our upcoming members luncheon.

Free for members | $25 for non-members | Lunch included

AAF Midlands: May Lunch and Learn Shaking Hands With The Porcupine: Navigating culture, work and clients as an independent strategic creative shop in a not-so-normal market.

🌟 Last night was one for the books. Our Spring Fundraiser brought our community together for a wonderful evening. And while we're grateful for every dollar raised, the highlight was honoring someone who has given so much to this industry.

We are proud to present Megan Telencio with the AAF Silver Medal Award — the equivalent of a lifetime achievement recognition given to those who have made outstanding contributions to advertising and helped raise its standards, creative excellence, and social responsibility.

Megan has served AAF Midlands at every level. From Gala Chair to President, then on to lead at the District 3 level as Governor and Chairman of the Board, and most recently as part of the Eastern Region Executive Committee. In her very first year, her Gala theme "ADDY in Wonderland" earned a Gold ADDY and a Special Judges Award. During her tenure, AAF Midlands was named National Club of the Year three times.

Megan, this award reflects what you've always been to this community: exceptional. Thank you. We could not be more thankful to you, for supporting our club over all these years.

And to everyone who joined us last night — your support makes moments like this possible.

The Marketing Specialist for the South Carolina Education Lottery plays a key role in developing and managing external communication initiatives that enhance our brand and engage our target audience. If you're interested in applying for this position, do so before May 14. More info here: https://aafmidlands.com/jobs/

🥈 An award. 🍻 An open bar (first round's on us). 🍴 A full spread. All for less than your last dinner out.

AAF Midlands' Spring Fundraiser is TOMORROW, May 6 at Steel Hands Vista — and you do NOT want to miss it.

Bring your team, bring your friends, bring whoever needs a reason to get out on a Wednesday.
📅 Wednesday, May 6 | 5:30–8PM
📍 Steel Hands Vista Distilling & Brewing, Columbia, SC
🎟️ Tickets at the link in bio.

Funds raised support student scholarships and keep AAF programming free for all members. Come out and make it count. 🥂

Some conversations are worth making time for — and this one definitely is. We're sitting down with Alex Wier and Daniel Stewart of , the Augusta-based strategic creative shop behind brands like Augusta University, TaxSlayer, and Golden Harvest Food Bank — for a candid luncheon conversation you won't want to miss.

🦔 Shaking Hands With The Porcupine: Navigating culture, work, and clients as an independent creative shop in a not-so-normal market.
📅 5.13.26 | 🕛 11:45am-1pm | 📍 Girl Scouts of SC, 1107 Williams Street.
🍽️ Lunch provided | Free for members / $25 non-members
Register now → https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aaf-midlands-may-lunch-and-learn-tickets-1988365274060?aff=oddtdtcreator