Coca-Cola UNITED’s Video Featuring the Magic City Classic Wins at Birmingham AAF ADDYs
Credit to Infomedia: Mat Zarate, Video Production Editor and Pam Sanderson, Director of Operations
The American Advertising Awards, widely known as the ADDYs, recognize the top creative minds in advertising for a local area. Every year, a range of creatives take home ADDYs, from established professionals in large agencies to students. For the chance to win in Birmingham this year, agencies and independent creatives submitted the work they produced in and around the Birmingham Metro area.
Coca-Cola Takes Home An ADDY
The Birmingham affiliate of the American Advertising Federation (AAF) held its annual ADDY awards ceremony at Haven on Birmingham’s Southside on Friday, February 22nd, and at this year’s awards, Coca-Cola UNITED Bottling Company in Birmingham was honored with a silver ADDY for their video of one of Birmingham’s oldest and most iconic traditions.
The video highlights the Magic City Classic, the annual football matchup between rivals Alabama A&M and Alabama State University that began in 1924. This isn’t just any football game—at the Classic, festivities include a pep rally, hours of tailgating, a parade and more, all of which are captured in Coke’s video celebration of the Classic.
Infomedia was contracted to present the essence of the beloved Magic City Classic, which would include the several events leading up to the beloved “Classic”, as well as the game itself. Masterfully, they nailed it. The video beautifully captured the community-centric, exuberant atmosphere of the Classic. Walter Body, retired director of multi-cultural relations, spearheaded Coca-Cola’s sponsorship efforts for many years. You can see, in the video, what he described the Classic to be about, which is
“Beyond all the glitz, the glamour, the pageantry, the game itself, and the halftime show, it’s all about the community.”
Hands down, the Magic City Classic is one of the best events our city has to offer. For the sponsors, such as Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, the City of Birmingham, and many more, it’s a commitment and down payment to our youngest generation to continue support of two HBCUs, Alabama State and Alabama A&M.
John Sherman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola UNITED, also shared his views on the Classic in the video when he stated, “In our franchise footprint, we have the opportunity to sponsor and to be a part of some really great events, but there’s not one that’s more important to us than the Magic City Classic.”
More on the ADDYs and AAF Birmingham
This was the first stage of a three-tier competition. The first stage is held in over 200 different AAF chapters in the country and represents the best in local advertising. The AAF then holds 15 regional competitions and, finally, one large national competition.
AAF Birmingham is the local affiliate of the American Advertising Federation. The AAF’s slogan, the “Unifying Voice for Advertising,” says it all—the federation connects advertising masterminds across the country to promote excellence through professional education, networking, community service, ethics, quality and creativity. AAF Birmingham has been recognized on both the district and national levels for its outstanding service to the advertising community.
We are honored to receive an ADDY this year, and we extend a warm congratulations to all the creatives who were awarded!