ATLANTA—The American Advertising Federation (AAF) announced today that the Century Council, a national not-for-profit organization funded by distillers dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking, will sponsor the 2009 National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC). The announcement was made at the AAF National Conference 2008 in Atlanta.
“The AAF is pleased to announce the Century Council as the 2009 NSAC sponsor,” said Wally Snyder, AAF president and CEO. “The NSAC offers a unique and valuable opportunity for students to achieve a professional-level educational experience, and it is an honor to have the Century Council participate in what continues to be the leading student advertising competition. Next year’s competition promises to be unique in that it is the first time the contest will ask students to address a social issue that will promote a positive behavioral change.”
The Century Council has worked with America’s colleges and universities to address binge drinking for more than 10 years. Looking forward, the 2009 NSAC represents the first-time students are being asked, on a national basis, to contribute to solving this problem.
“It is absolutely essential that we gain the insights that students can bring in communicating with their peers on this important issue. The Century Council is pleased to have the support of the Ad Council and the American Council on Education in this endeavor that will bring fresh approaches to future initiatives,” said Ralph Blackman, president and CEO of the Century Council. “The Century Council is honored to work with the AAF and sponsor the 2009 NSAC. No one can reach out to young people more effectively than other young people can, which is why we are extremely excited to see how the students plan to address binge drinking through an integrated communications campaign.”
“Binge drinking on college campuses is a serious and growing problem where too often there exists a ‘culture of drinking.’ I am so pleased that we’ll have the collective energy of our industry’s future talent, who are also in the target audience for this issue, help us craft smart and motivating communications,” said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council.
“The American Council on Education (ACE) is happy to lend our support to the National Student Advertising Competition—particularly with its focus on developing a constructive public service campaign to help address alcohol abuse by college students,” said Terry W. Hartle, ACE’s senior vice president for government and public affairs. “I don’t know a single university president who isn’t already devoting significant resources to curtailing alcohol abuse on campus. The winning entries in next year’s campaign could provide us with even more effective tools for dealing with this important issue.”
Finalists will be selected from the NSAC district competitions and present their work to The Century Council at the AAF National Conference 2009. Many top advertising agencies use this opportunity to recruit the ad industry’s newest talent. Over 150 AAF college chapters are expected to participate in the 2009 competition.
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