Cowboys & Creatives AAAwards Winners 2024-2025 by aafdbq

2024–25 WINNERS TAB

AMERICAN ADVERTISING AWARDS

AAF DUBUQUE BOARD

President Mariah Pellino; BabyQuip

Vice President / Communications Co-Director

Bridgett Reidy; Hirschbach

Communications Co-Director

Emily Adlfinger; National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

Past President

Mallory Blondin; Dupaco Community Credit Union

Education Director Alex Goerdt; NICC

Treasurer Jordan Keil; McCullough Creative

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Mariah Pellino

Howdy cowboys, welcome to the 2024-2025 American Advertising Awards, a round up of the best creatives on this side of the Mississippi! I’m

Mariah Pellino, President of AAF Dubuque and I’m excited to share with you the results from this rootin tootin evening.

This year has been a wild ride through the frontier of creativity, and tonight, we tip our hats and raise a tin cup to the fearless storytellers who wrangle ideas and brand ‘em into unforgettable advertising.

Over the past few months, I’ve had the honor of riding alongside the sharpest creative minds in Dubuque—the AAF board. A big ol’ cowboy hat tip to this incredible crew for saddling up and making this year one for the books!

If you are familiar with AAF Dubuque and our awards, I encourage you to reflect on what this community and access to these events mean to you. Your participation to help us have continued success with our club and awards is much needed.

If you are looking to get involved with AAF Dubuque, please visit aafdqb.org or reach out to any of the board members. AAF is a great place to get involved with the creative community, to learn more about industry topics, and to celebrate one another’s accomplishments.

-Mariah Pellino

The Silver Medal Award was established in 1959 to recognize men and women who have made outstanding contributions to advertising and who have been active in furthering the industry's standards, creative excellence and responsibility in areas of social concern.

Johanna Talarico

National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

The Recipient of this year’s Silver medal award brings more then 20 years of experience spanning agencies, corporate settings, non-profit, finance and education. They have shown their remarkable skills and elevate every organization and initiative they have been a part of.

She has dedicated more than half a decade of her free time to AAF Dubuque club. During her time as a member of the Board, and club president, it was evident how much care and ownership she took to providing the opportunity for professionals and students, ensuring their hard work is celebrated and recognized. Her commitment to excellence has inspired those around her, raising the standard for quality in every project she touches.

In the past two years alone at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, shes led the redesign of their website, focusing on increasing accessibility and growing their inclusive activities. Additionally, her strategic leadership in digital marketing has helped the museum reach new heights of engagement with its audience. Her creative vision has shaped two major renovation projects, including the Rivers to the Sea exhibit and the ongoing renovation of the Mississippi River Center, ensuring the Museum continues to thrive and connect with its audience.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, she has also given back to our community in many meaningful ways. Particularly her work with the Port Marketing Committee to elevate the Port of Dubuque, bringing together businesses and initiatives to promote the area, speaks volumes about her dedication to making a difference in the places she calls home. Her involvement in civic and community groups exemplifies her deep commitment to social welfare and local advancement.

Her impact has not gone unnoticed. In 2024, she was honored with the Women’s Leadership Network of Dubuque’s Women of Achievement Award as an Unsung Champion, recognizing her leadership in the renovation of the River Museum’s Rivers to the Sea exhibit and her ongoing work on the Mississippi River Center.

Her work is a true reflection of the values this award represents. Her contributions to her company, her consistent creative brilliance, and her leadership in advancing the advertising industry and her community make her the perfect recipient of the AAF Silver Medal.

AMERICAN ADVERTISING FEDERATION OF DUBUQUE Member of the Year

The AAF Dubuque Member of the Year Award is given to an individual who has worked hard over the year to be a driving force behind the American Advertising Federation of Dubuque.

Good evening everyone! Tonight, we celebrate the heart and soul of the American Advertising Federation of Dubuque, the individuals who pour their passion into making our organization thrive. The AAF Dubuque Member of the Year Award isn’t just about showing up; it’s about being a catalyst, a driving force, a creative spark that ignites our collective efforts. This year’ nominee is an absolute powerhouse of all those qualities and more.

When this nominee joined the board as Public Service Director in 2021, she immediately went beyond simply filling the role. She strategically leveraged her time and talent to empower local organizations with vital marketing support. More impressively, she transformed the Public Service role into a dynamic mentorship program. By connecting talented marketing and design students with non-profits, she provided invaluable hands-on experience for aspiring professionals while delivering crucial marketing assistance to community organizations. She didn't just meet expectations; she innovated, identifying opportunities where others saw challenges, and injecting new energy into AAF Dubuque. Her dedication and talent were evident from the start, solidifying her as an indispensable asset to our club.

As a graphic designer at BabyQuip, this nominee doesn’t just execute designs; she elevates them. She’s a master of visual problem-solving, crafting solutions that resonate and connect. This ability to think strategically and creatively is what sets her apart. Her work is a testament to her commitment to excellence, consistently pushing boundaries and delivering exceptional results.

Beyond her professional achievements, her volunteerism is truly inspiring. She doesn’t just participate; she initiates. She identifies needs, develops solutions, and executes them with precision and enthusiasm. Her dedication to serving our community and our organization is a testament to her character and is demonstrated by her taking on the role of President in 2024.

Personally, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing her dedication firsthand. It’s not just her talent that impresses, but her collaborative spirit and unwavering commitment. She’s a true professional, a valuable member of the advertising community.

MARIAH PELLINO

BabyQuip