Media contact:
Robyn Rosenthal
810.444.0285
robyn.rosenthal@wkkf.org
NEW ORLEANS, LA — The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) proudly announced today that I Am New Orleans took home three Gold ADDY Awards and a Best of Show Award for the initiative’s community-inspired murals, produced by Spears Group and supported by WKKF, at the 2024 American Advertising Awards in New Orleans. The murals were created by local artist Jade Meyers as part of the community-led campaign designed to inspire conversation and action to create a child-centered city.
“It is an honor to be recognized for the inspiration, dedication and creativity of so many community members, most notably our artist Jade Meyers, that helped I Am New Orleans artfully represent the community’s aspirations in a permanent, meaningful way,” said Deirdre Johnson Burrell, senior program officer at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. “These awards celebrate our commitment to making New Orleans more equitable for our children and families, and I am incredibly proud of the team who brought the mural projects to life.”
Conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation (AAF), the American Advertising Awards is the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition, attracting more than 25,000 entries every year in local AAF Ad Club competitions. AAF clubs nationwide host an annual award ceremony as the first of the three-tier national competition, where local entrants vie to receive an ADDY Award — recognition as the very best in their markets. I Am New Orleans’ murals took home four awards in the out-of-home category at the New Orleans club’s ceremony held Friday, March 1.
“As a Black female artist, the murals were life-changing, and they enabled me to be a part of something beautiful, innovative and deeply-rooted in the betterment of our city, said artist Jade Meyers. “I’m grateful and honored to be recognized amongst so many talented creatives, and it’s incredible to see the positive impact of my work.”
The murals are located on the exteriors of the Norman Mayer Library in Gentilly and the Andrew P. Sanchez & Copelin-Byrd Multi-Service Center in the Lower 9th Ward. The designs were informed by community listening sessions that helped illustrate and bring to life the mission of I Am New Orleans and the city’s unique neighborhoods, people and culture. They were made possible by the support of WKKF, Arts New Orleans, the New Orleans Public Library and the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission.
“These awards reflect our commitment to delivering remarkable, meaningful work for our clients,” said Malana Joseph Mitchell, vice president of public relations at Spears Group. “What started as an idea resulted in vibrant, visual representations of the community, and we were able to connect with our audiences in a truly meaningful way.”
I Am New Orleans’ murals received Gold ADDY Awards in the out-of-home/large venue (single) category and out-of-home campaign category. This year’s judges, comprised of esteemed advertising professionals from across the country, also awarded the mural campaign a prestigious Best of Show award, honoring the campaign as the single best entry in the out-of-home category. The murals will go on to compete with winners from other local chapters in one of 15 district competitions. District ADDY winners are then forwarded to the third tier, the national stage of the American Advertising Awards.
For more information about I Am New Orleans and the mural project, please visit iamneworleansvoices.com.
