Cherokee Nation Businesses has been honored with an Addy Award from the Tulsa chapter of the American Advertising Federation. CNB’s marketing department was recognized at AAF Tulsa’s 45th annual awards banquet held in Tulsa’s historic Mayo Hotel.

For Immediate Release
January 27, 2012

Contact:
Amanda Clinton
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Jared Smith
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TULSA, Okla. — Cherokee Nation Businesses has been honored with an Addy Award from the Tulsa chapter of the American Advertising Federation. CNB’s marketing department was recognized at AAF Tulsa’s 45th annual awards banquet held in Tulsa’s historic Mayo Hotel.

CNB won the Addy Award for Mixed Media Campaign. Graphic designer Stephanie Pinkston, copywriter Ben Elder and marketing director Sharon Price were honored for their Legends At Dusk advertising campaign, a play performed at the Cherokee Heritage Center.  The Legends At Dusk campaign entry included a poster, banner, outdoor board, three print ads and direct mail pieces. Local entries were judged by a panel of advertising and marketing professionals from other AAF chapters.

“CNB is fortunate to have the support of a strong marketing department to deliver such quality service for our internal clients,” said David Stewart, CEO of Cherokee Nation Businesses. “We have a very talented group in house that manages projects for all of our businesses, as well as special clients like Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism and the Cherokee Heritage Center. Using internal resources to market our businesses and events lets us know our image is always in good hands.”

The Addys are awarded annually to the best print, broadcast and multi-media advertising campaigns. Entries include both local and national campaigns, with advertising agencies dominating the entries. 

“It speaks volumes that our internal marketing department is able to compete at the same level as outside advertising agencies,” said Molly Jarvis, vice president of marketing, communications and cultural tourism. “Having that talent in house is not only a great source of pride, but it also saves us time and money.”

Addy Awards and Citations of Excellence are announced at the annual awards banquet hosted by AAF Tulsa. Addy Award winners in local competition advance to a district level competition and potentially to the national Addy Awards. Twenty-nine Addy Awards and 31 Citations were awarded locally out of 274 total entries.

"We were one of only nine organizations honored with an Addy Award this year," said Sharon Price, director of marketing and internal communications. "I'm so proud of Stephanie, Ben, and LaDonna (Gritts, account executive), who all did an outstanding job on the project. It’s good to see their hard work honored in such a meaningful way."

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa also received a Citation of Excellence in the category of Special Event Invitation. The citation recognized marketing materials promoting Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa’s Halloween event. The property is a subsidiary of Cherokee Nation Businesses.

The Tulsa chapter of the American Advertising Federation was established in 1937 and has been a strong force in the advertising industry since its inception. A central function of AAF Tulsa is celebrating the highest standards of creativity in professional advertising and student competition through local Addy Awards. AAF Tulsa awards several scholarships to advertising students attending college in Oklahoma each year during the ADDY Awards event.