Avid Marketing Group, a Rocky Hill-based marketing agency, captured not only the grand prize but also the third place prize in the Advertising Club of Connecticut’s annual Out of Home competition.
The winning entry — “Quit Monkeying Around — Just Drive” — was the work of Avid Marketing illustrator and designer Chris Gunderson.
For this year’s competition, the Ad Club teamed up with WFSB-TV Channel 3 and its “I-Promise” program targeting distracted driving. In response to this year’s theme, “Don’t Drive Distracted,” agencies from all across the state developed a wide range of billboard concepts to remind people to focus on the road.
Second place went to Gary Holmes of Gariphic Design in West Hartford. His design was a simple and impactful “TXT.YAK.EAT.BAM!” on a blood red background.
Taking third place was “Distracted Driving Kills,” designed by Emily Buck of Avid Marketing. Her visually and emotionally powerful design shows a distraught accident victim behind police tape emblazoned with the message “Distracted Driving Kills.”
The winning design will be displayed on digital billboard locations throughout Connecticut.
With more than 2,000 members, the Advertising Club of Connecticut is the largest professional association in the state serving advertising, marketing and related fields.
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Sales, marketing workshop April 29
The Farmington Chamber of Commerce will launch a series of business roundtable discussions aimed at owners of new or young businesses with a session April 29 about sales and marketing.
Susan Powers of Sandler Training and by Bill Neagus of Strategic Persuasion Group will conduct a 45-minute presentation, followed by another 45 minutes of discussion among the participants.
The event runs 8 — 9:30 a.m., on the second floor of the Farmington Public Library, 6 Montieth Drive. Pre-registration for Central CT Chamber members is $15; $20 at the door. Non-member registration is $30. To register, visit www.farmingtonchamber.com, or call 860-676-8490.
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Ad star, author to speak
Linda Kaplan Thaler, an advertising superstar and New York Times best-selling author, will be the guest speaker April 7 at the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford’s annual Voices fundraiser.
She is responsible for some of America’s most famous, relevant and touching advertising campaigns, including composing the Toys ‘R’ Us jingle. Her latest book is The Power of Small: Why Little Things Make All the Difference.
The event begins at 5:30 p.m. at The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford. For registration information, go to http://www.JewishHartford.org.
