FAQs
Below are a lots of frequently asked questions about the comoany, the website and certain aspects of each. We have tried to answer as fully as possible.
General
What is the American Advertising Federation (AAF)?
The AAF is the "Unifying Voice for Advertising." We are the only professional association that binds the mutual interests of corporate advertisers, agencies, media companies, suppliers and academia. The AAF's 50,000 members share a commitment to make advertising a positive force in America's economy and culture.
Who is the Tennessee Valley Advertising Federation (TVAF)
TVAF is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization that serves the advertising and marketing professionals throughout the Tennessee Valley. Our members include people from agencies, corporate marketing departments, freelancers, TV and radio stations, printers, and local publications.
What cities are included in TVAF?
Generally TVAF's area is defined as Huntsville, Decatur, and Athens, and the surrounding area. Currently, the Shoals does not have an ad fed, so companies in the Shoals area can be TVAF members and participate in TVAF's Addy Awards Competition.
What states make up the 7th District?
AAF divides all the member clubs into 15 districts. TVAF is part of the 7th District, also known as the "Deep South District". States in the 7th District include Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and the lower half of Louisiana.
Getting Involved
What is the best way to get involved in TVAF?
All your TVAF Board members are volunteers and always looking for help. If there is something particular you are interested in helping with, such as The ADDY Awards, just contact that particular board member. All board members' contact information is located here.
Who can be a TVAF Officer?
Any TVAF member in good standing can be an Officer, though normally officers have served on the Board in appointed positions. The Officers assume their posts at the June lunch meeting and serve for 1 year. The official TVAF Officers as stated in our by-laws are the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The membership votes on these people.
Who can be a TVAF Board Member?
Anyone can be a board member, but it is preferred that you are a TVAF member in good standing. The TVAF board begins forming in March/April. Just email the current President what board position you are interested in. The board takes office at the June lunch meeting and serves for 1 year. Board postitions are appointed and can vary from year to year.
What are the TVAF Board Positions?
Typically TVAF has the following Board Members:
Programs chair - responsible for getting the speakers for luncheons and working with the Hospitality chair to find a venue.
ADDY chair - responsible for the ADDY Awards dinner, video presentation, winners book as well as the actual ADDY judging. This position usually has a committee of people.
Publicity chair - works with the other chairs to make sure that any lunch meeting, special event, or news-worthy information gets published.
Membership chair - welcomes new members, encourages current members to renew, sends out renewal letters, can create a Welcome Packet, updates the membership database
Hospitality chair - responsible for helping the Programs chair (and others) find venues for meetings and events. Makes sure needed A/V equipment is available. Helps make everyone at the meetings feel welcome.
Fundraising chair - typically TVAF holds a Media/Merchandise auction every October as our fundraiser. The fundraising chair is responsible for this event. This position usually has a committee of people.
Club Achievement chair - responsible for entering TVAF in the 7th District and the National AAF Club Achievement competition. Encourages the board to help save anything and everything - postcards, emails, letters, etc - for use in the Club Acievement books.
Student Relations chair (new this year) - responsible for working with local colleges and encouraging students to enter the Student ADDY Awards. Also responsible for making sure students are aware of the TVAF scholarship we try and give out every year.
Public Service chair (new this year) - responsible for finding a non-profit agency or other organization in need of good design for free. This person will need a group of designers, copywriters, marketing and PR people willing to donate their time for a good cause.
ADDY Awards
What are the ADDY Awards?
The ADDY Awards are the world's largest advertising competition. They recognize creative excellence in all forms of advertising. The American Advertising Federation, a not-for-profit industry association, conducts the ADDY Awards through its 200 member advertising clubs and 15 districts. It is the only creative awards program administered by the advertising industry for the industry.
How do I enter the ADDY Awards?
The competiton is open to any company or organization, both TVAF members and nonmembers. Entries are first accepted at the local level by your local ad federation, TVAF. All entries must be entered into the online system. All entries must have appeared in the media between January 1 and December 31, 2006. Gold Winners at the local level are automatically forwarded to the District level of competition at the ad club's expense. Silver Winners can be forwarded, but the entrance fee must be paid by the entrant. Gold Winners at the District level are then automatically forwarded to the National level of competition.
Can students enter the ADDY Awards?
Yes, there is a Student ADDY Awards Competition. Students also must enter their work through the online system and abide by their local ad club's turn-in dates and rules. Student work is classified as work you did not receive compensation for. Any work you create while you are a student that you are paid for must be entered in the Professional Awards Competition.
What does "no mount entries" mean?
In the past, AAF required that all entries be mounted on black board. As of last year, AAF has changed the rules and will now only accept non-mounted entries. This means TVAF will ONLY accept non-mounted entries. Entries should be placed in a paper or clear envelope (clear is preferred) with the official entry form you print from the online system. Complete information on how to enter your work is provided online with the national rules and should be reviewed every year in case there are changes.
Student Scholarships
Does TVAF offer a student scholarship?
Yes. Every year TVAF will give out at least one scholarship to the Student Addy Best of Show Winner. When you enter the Student Addy Awards, you are also entering the scholarship competiton.
Are there any other scholarships available?
Yes, the Professional Ad Clubs of Alabama offer the $1500 Bruce Roche Alabama Education Foundation Advertising Scholarship. You must be a full-time junior or senior student ad club member in good standing at an Alabama four-year college or university who is majoring in one of the following: Advertising, Commercial Art, Marketing, or Public Relations. There are also District scholarships available. Visit the 7th District website for more information.