What is AdFed?
The American Advertising Federation of Fort Wayne, Ad Fed, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and improving the advertising industry, fostering higher standards of practice in advertising, expanding recognition of advertising, and cultivating a better understanding of the economic and social values of advertising to all people.
The mission of the American Advertising Federation of Fort Wayne is to connect and inspire the current and future creative, media, and marketing professionals of Northeast Indiana through enriching and engaging networking, social and educational opportunities, and to encourage and celebrate advertising excellence.
The American Advertising Federation of Fort Wayne includes the Indiana counties of Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley. It is affiliated with the American Advertising Federation Sixth District; including Indiana, Illinois and Michigan.
The Local History of Ad Fed
In the mid 1940s Fort Wayne Ad Club was founded by several advertising and marketing professionals. The goal of the club was to promote quality advertising and marketing for Fort Wayne and the surrounding area as well as nationally. The club focused on education, networking and fun.
They soon affiliated themselves with the American Advertising Federation. This affiliation provided more exposure for local companies as well as opportunities for recognition for the work created locally through the Addy Awards. The name of the club was changed to the Advertising Federation of Fort Wayne, Inc. at this time.
Through the years, the club has encouraged students in their pursuit of a career in advertising related fields through scholarships and the involvement of student chapters. Currently, there are several student chapters at local colleges and universities.
AFFW continues to provide educational and informational opportunities for local members as well as recognition for quality work through the annual Advertising Honors.
The National History of Ad Fed
The American Advertising Federation (AAF), the nation’s oldest national advertising trade association, and the only association representing all facets of the advertising industry, is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and acts as the "Unifying Voice for Advertising." The AAF also has 15 district operations, each located in and representing a different region of the nation. The AAF’s membership is comprised of nearly 100 blue chip corporate members comprising the nation’s leading advertisers, advertising agencies, and media companies; a national network of nearly 200 local federations, representing 40,000 advertising professionals, located in ad communities across the country; and more than 200 AAF college chapters, with over 6,500 student members. The AAF operates a host of programs and initiatives including the Advertising Hall of Fame, the American Advertising Awards, the National Student Advertising Competition, the Mosaic Center on Multiculturalism, and summer Ad Camps for high school students in Chicago, New York City and Washington, D.C.