ENTRIES DUE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2026
JOIN US AT THE SHOW
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2026
ENTRIES DUE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2026
JOIN US AT THE SHOW
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2026
We're rewinding to the era of pixels, punchy graphics, and pure creative energy. This year's American Advertising Awards are going full 8-bit with Pixel Perfect, a throwback celebration of the bold, the bright, and the brilliantly executed.
On February 28, 2026, we're plugging in and powering up to honor Central Minnesota's best and brightest in advertising. You know the ones: the innovators, dreamers, and design rebels who keep our creative scene buzzing. From Pong-level beginnings to full-resolution brilliance, every idea starts with a pixel, and this year, we're celebrating the ones that came together perfectly.
So dust off your Walkman, tease that hair, and get ready to play. The creative game is on – and only the pixel perfect will win.
The Gorecki Center at the College of Saint Benedict
37 College Ave S, St Joseph, MN
Doors open at 6:30pm • Show begins at 7:30pm
Pros: $25 Member / $45 Non-Member / $360 Table (8 Spots)
Students: $16 Member / $30 Non-Member and Parent/Sibling of Student
Pros: $35 Member / $55 Non-Member / $360 Table (8 Spots)
Students: $21 Member / $35 Non-Member and Parent/Sibling of Student
All work entered in the American Advertising Awards competition must have first appeared in the media between January 1 and December 31, 2025. Work entered must have been the result of paid creative services and media placement in the normal course of business, with the exception of Public Service Advertising; Advertising for the Arts; Advertising Industry Self-Promotion categories, and all student entries. Entries must be submitted in the CBSA, DMA, or MSA of the entrant (as defined by Arbitron or Nielsen for your local market).
Copyright infringement and/or plagiarism (be it intentional or unintentional) will result in the disqualification and, if applicable, removal of awards from any entry deemed in violation. All entry fees will be forfeited.
Click the links below to download the entire category list and official AAF rules for entries. This will guide you to submit your work in the proper categories and assure you've met the entry requirements.
You will be directed to the competition site to register as an entrant.
Please note: Due to National recommendations, all entries this year will be digital/online only as no in-person judging will take place. See more below about how to create your physical entries to display on show night.
Important note: Once you checkout and select your payment choice, you will no longer be able to edit your entry/entries. You can add entries to your cart and process your payment once all entries are finalized at the very end of your submittal process.
After filling out the online entry forms for each of your entries, a Manifest Form will be generated listing all of your entries. This form states that by signing you:
After you've completed your online entry forms and your Manifest Form, it's time to prepare your work to be showcased at the event! Viewing the incredible work in our community is one of the highlights of the night (besides winning, of course!). Mounting boards can be purchased for $5.00/each by using this form and can be picked up at Whitebox Marketing.
Purchase Mounting BoardsPurchased boards can be picked up at WhiteBox Marketing in St. Cloud.
WhiteBox Marketing
1501 W St. Germain St.
St. Cloud, MN 56301
M-F 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fees can be paid online during submission with credit card or be invoiced and paid by check (made payable to: AAFCM).
| Professionals | Students | |
|---|---|---|
| Single Entry (AAF Member) | $60.00 | $40.00 |
| Single Entry (Non-Member) | $100.00 | $55.00 |
| Campaign Entry (AAF Member) | $100.00 | $50.00 |
| Campaign Entry (Non-Member) | $160.00 | $70.00 |
Please prepare mounted displays to be showcased at the live event on February 28, 2026. You may mail or hand-deliver your displays to the following location:
All displays MUST be dropped off by February, 8th by 4pm at:
WhiteBox Marketing
1501 West Saint Germain Street
St. Cloud, MN 56301
Only Gold or Silver American Advertising Award winners in a local competition will be eligible for entry into the district competition.
Only Gold or Silver American Advertising Award winners in a district competition will be eligible for entry into the national American Advertising competition.
Local Gold American Advertising Award winners will be automatically forwarded to the district competition (fees paid by AAF-Central Minnesota). District Gold winners will be forwarded to the national competition (fees paid by District 8). Silver American Advertising Award winners at the local OR district level have the option of competing at the next level. If you choose to do so, you must pay a $75 entry fee.
Return of entries is NOT guaranteed. Comps, original photographs, illustrations, etc., all become the property of the AAF and will not be returned.
The Student American Advertising Awards is also a three-tier national competition, which is sponsored by the AAF and National Ad 2. Occurring in conjunction with the American Advertising Awards, the Student Awards recognize and reward creative excellence by students.
All work submitted in the Student American Advertising Award Competition is subject to the same rules, processes, guidelines and submission requirements as the professional entries and competition – all previously mentioned. (Note: Work created for the National Student Advertising Competition [NSAC] will be eligible for entry into the Student American Advertising Awards in the year following their presentation.)
In addition to this information, please note the following:
Applicants must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited U.S. educational institution. Work may be developed specifically for this competition or submitted from previous projects or competitions. Work developed for paying clients will not be accepted with the exception of work created by clubs as fundraisers or work created for student publications.
Work must be created while entrant is a student not employed in the advertising industry. Student intern work is eligible if it is not used by or paid for by a client. Work developed for paying clients will not be accepted with the exception of work created for clubs as a fundraiser or work created for student publications. Entries may be entered into only one local Student American Advertising Awards competition, which is determined by the location of the school at which the work was created. If an affiliated competition does not exist in the CBSA, DMA or MSA, the district will direct the entrant to the nearest affiliated competition. Recent graduates are eligible to enter as long as the entry was created while a student during the 2025 calendar year and the entry meets all other requirements.
Students receiving a Gold award will be forwarded to the district and national competition at no cost to the student. Entries receiving a Silver award may advance to the district or national competition by paying a $20 entry fee.
A sincere thank you goes out to the following businesses who made this call for entries and marketing of the event possible through their generous donations:
Please direct any questions to the following American Advertising Awards board members:
Bridget Deutz
