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School of Journalism and New Media
University of Mississippi

The Focus Group wins 39 Addy Awards

Posted on: April 1st, 2015 by

Buchanan Addy Awards 2.15 croppedMembers of The Focus Group, an integrated marketing, advertising and PR firm in Gulfport, pose with the 39 Addy Awards they received after they swept the show at the Miss. Gulf Coast Advertising Federation’s “Totally Awesome Addys” 80’s-themed awards gala at the IP Casino Resort Spa in Biloxi. The Focus Group is led by Allison Brown Buchanan (B.A. Journalism/PR 1982). Among the 39 awards, they received gold Addys for Best of Show, Art Director of the Year, the Judges’ Choice Award, Best of Interactive, two integrated campaigns, two photography campaigns, two websites, an illustration campaign, a trade publication ad, a television spot :30, a digital advertising campaign and two brochures. The remaining awards were silver Addys for a variety of work ranging from copywriting and brochures, to digital campaigns, TV and illustration. The gold awards will automatically advance to the regional competition.

Left to right: Thomas Broadus, director of interactive and new media; Tara Gerald, lead graphic designer; Samantha McCain, PR and contentmanager; Jamie Gryder, accountant. (back row) William Colgin, photographer; Brenna Aplin, multimedia designer; Brynn Joachim, advertising operations manager; Allison Buchanan, general manager; Cecelia Shabazz, creative director; and Tyler Johnson, web developer.