Student involvement

STUDENT MEMBERSHIP

We think our student members are the next big thing, which drives us to support them the best we can. Students can apply for our scholarships, receive deeply discounted tickets to our events, and have plenty of chances to volunteer and get involved in our club. Without the help they provide, Ad Fed simply wouldn't be the same.

Local college students are invited to become members of Ad Fed and start getting involved in this great community! And for local membership, it's free! What's stopping you? Fill out our membership form today!

Take it a step further and form a chapter

College chapters are groups affiliated and recognized by the national organization, and being one certainly has its benefits. Through chapters, the AAF provides more than 5,000 students with industry experience and exposure, professional development opportunities, and recruitment connections on a national level. Other added benefits are camaraderie, recognition, participation in national AAF student award competitions, and an invitation to the annual college chapter conference.

College chapters require $55/student and a faculty mentor. To find out more about national AAF college chapters and to register, please visit: http://membership.aaf.org/college-chapters-0

The pitch

The American Advertising Federation has a long-established and firm commitment to public service advertising. As advertisers, advertising agencies and members of the media, we have the power to make the greatest impact in the public service arena. Our grassroots structure allows us to make an impact locally, as well as nationally.

The American Advertising Federation of Fort Wayne offers donated design and marketing services to local nonprofits through our annual Pitch competition.

The Pitch provides college students with real-world experience in creating a strategic marketing/advertising/media campaign for a nonprofit client. Every year, regional college students come together to develop a marketing plan and design collateral for a local business. They pitch their work to advertising professionals and the winning team’s work is finalized and handed over for the nonprofit to use as needed.

If your business is interested in being considered for The Pitch, please fill out our Application for Consideration.

scholarships

A large part of our mission is to gift scholarships to exceptional students that are majoring in an advertising related field. We believe that the contribution of scholarships to the education of students in the Fort Wayne area is an investment in our advertising community. 

Scholarships are presented at our annual Silver Medal Award Luncheon. Students apply by sending in their application and other required materials. Scholarship recipients are selected by a committee of industry professionals. Scroll down for information on how to apply.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicant must currently be a college freshman, sophomore, junior, or first semester senior with plans for graduation in Spring 2024.

  • Applicant must be a full-time college student (minimum of 12 credit hours per semester), registered in an advertising or marketing related field.

  • Applicant must maintain residence or attend an accredited college/university in one of the following Indiana counties: Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, or Whitley.

  • Application must be postmarked by December 31.

  • Winners will be notified by January 31.

  • Applicants may apply each academic year.

  • Scholarship recipient will be selected by a committee of advertising professionals and approved by the Advertising Federation of Fort Wayne, Inc. Board of Directors.

  • Applicants must include three to four samples of work with the application . This must be submitted via URL, flash drive, or in hard copy with the application. Application materials will not be returned. DO NOT send original work.

Amount of scholarship

Up to $1,000, based on money available (to be paid directly to the student for school-related expenses) and depending on the number of applicants and final decision of the Scholarship Committee. All decisions by the Scholarship Committee are final.

APPLICATION

Please download the application below if you are interested in applying for a scholarship.