In case you missed the 63rd AAF Dallas American Advertising Awards Gala, here’s what went down.
The gala was held at The Hall on Dragon a premiere location in Dallas’s Design District. The room was filled with Dallas advertising industry professionals, who simultaneously received their well-deserved ADDY awards, and watched as a murder mystery unraveled.
The event opened with Elisa Silva, President of AAF Dallas and Partner and Managing Director of 3Headed Monster, introducing a mockumentary honoring Clint “Chip” Cassidy, a legendary ad figure. Just as he was set to receive a Lifetime Ad-chievement Award, he stumbled onstage—dead.
Detective Shepherds Pier, posing as a bartender, took charge, launching a murder investigation that unfolded as he interrogated various industry professionals, each with a grudge against Clint:
- Dave Young (A-Agency Executive): Frustrated by unreasonable client feedback and losing the Tex Chips account.
- Tim Bloomfield (Head of Production): Upset that Tex Chips chose AI-generated ads over a traditional production.
- Joel Nix & Vanessa Green (Juniors from A-Agency): Laid off after Clint stole their ideas and handed them to another agency.
- Jason Watts (Creative Director): Resentful over Clint rejecting his “big ideas.”
- Natasha Haden (VP of Marketing): A long-time second-in-command passed over for leadership, who was also romantically involved with Jason.
Throughout the night, the case unfolded between award presentations, starting with student awards and later transitioning to professional honors, including Silver, Gold, Suits, Mosaic, Best of Show, and Judge’s Choice.
As Pier gathered the suspects and engaged the audience in choosing the culprit, the “smoking gun” was revealed—a bloodied copy of Hey Whipple, Squeeze This—a telltale sign of the young creatives, Joel Nix and Vanessa Green, who confessed to the murder, justifying it as a means to gain limelight in an industry known for its pursuit of credit and recognition. As they were arrested, Vanessa furiously lashed out at Jason Watts, who barely remembered them.
Check out the credits for the AAF Dallas board members team.
Check out the Professional Award Winners…
Check out the student interviews…
Credits:
3Headed Monster was responsible for the creative theme, the actor’s script, and all the creative videos played throughout the drama. They team worked countless hours to create a beautiful event.
Republic, an in-kind sponsor edited all the award videos and was also a Bronze Sponsor
Millet the Printer was an in-kind sponsor for all the print material.
Equativ was the Drink Sponsor with a The Cookieless Old Fashioned. Why the name? Just like the advertising industry’s transition away from third-party cookies, this take on the Old Fashioned keeps things classic yet forward-thinking—no tracking needed, just pure flavor.
Other Bronze Sponsors included Plot Twist Creativity, BeautifulBeast and Poke the Bear.
AdChat DFW ‘s Editor-in-Chief, Patty Harrison conducted all the interviews.
BBB was a Judging Sponsor.
