GALAAA 2026: It’s All Been Done?

Written by Evan Pease

Over the last few years, AAF Buffalo has really taken (too much?) pride in going all-in on a theme. Whatever the concept, count on us to over-commit. So it’s no surprise that it gets harder and harder to find new ground. This year’s solution? We went all-in on all of our themes. But as the question mark in “It’s All Been Done?” alludes to, it didn’t feel rehashed or recycled. It felt fresh and fun and - much like the work we were celebrating, it took a familiar brief and found a unique approach.

Interior of a dimly lit event space, The Statler Golden Ballroom, with two illuminated pillars decorated with collage images and silver balloons, round tables with black tablecloths, and chandeliers.

People dressed in formal attire socializing under balloon letters in a warmly lit room with a chandelier.

From the moment guests stepped into the historic Statler Golden Ballroom, they were greeted with hand-made collage towers featuring work from previous years’ showbooks. Mash-ups combining disparate melodies and lyrics provided the soundtrack for the night. Some of our previous years’ intro videos played on top of each other, which made for a very entertaining, very weird, piece of video art. All of which to illustrate the idea that we shouldn’t just be complacent with what’s worked in the past. Try something with a different take and a fresh spin. Because that’s exactly what we were there to celebrate: the people and work who didn’t settle for the safe idea.

Group of diverse people, Crowley Webb, standing indoors holding a red and blue 'BILLIEVE TOGETHER M&T Bank' banner, smiling and celebrating.

After a night of strong work across the board, The Martin Group and Stronghold Studio took home Finalist honors while Crowley Webb took the top prize with their Billieve Together campaign for M&T. The judges all agreed: the breadth of work on Billieve Together and the level of execution across all channels was truly impressive.

Woman in a black dress speaking at a podium with ADDY letters on the front in an ornate room.

Two women, Lindsay Neilson and Hailey Rozanski, smiling on a stage, one holding an award, with illuminated ADDY letters in the background at an event.

Hailey Rozanski (Future Star), Luke Hallick II (Joe Crowley Service Award), Jordan Hegyi (Levy-Osborn Excellence in Communications), Crowley Webb’s Route 86 program (Mosaic), and Mr. Smith (AAA’s Road Less Traveled Award) were each singled-out for incredibly well-deserved recognition for their contributions to the Buffalo ad community.

Man, Luke Hallick II, with curly hair and glasses holding a drink and gesturing rock sign while walking down an aisle in a fancy event hall with seated audience.

Three women, Riveter, dressed in elegant evening attire smiling and posing together indoors near a podium with 'ADDY' letters.

Group of seven people, Mr. Smith Agency, posing indoors at an event, with some seated on stage and carpeted steps, one holding a clear award trophy.

Four people smiling at an award event, with one woman in the center holding a glass trophy.

Riveter Design’s Entries For All program not only returned but was expanded by dPost, Farm, Fourth Idea, The Martin Group, Mower, and Parkway Digital. As a result, we not only saw student submissions increase, but our Student Best of Show went to Katie Pohlman - who used the EFA Program for her winning submission.

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Our Pro Judges, our Student Judges, the entire AAF Buffalo board, the Statler, Frank Coppola, Meccay Photography, Hadley Exhibits, Zenger Group, SRG, Audio Images, our key sponsors, Simpli.fi, AI Digital, our Presenting Sponsor, AAA of Western and Central New York, the theme team at Crowley, and so, so many more individuals deserve more thanks than anyone wants to read in a single blog - but all contributed to creating a really special one-of-a-kind event.

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And on a personal note: my goal for the AAAs has always been to create a laid-back, entertaining awards show that doesn’t take itself too seriously but also honors the incredible people and the exceptional work that make up our ad community. I feel like we’ve done a damn fine job of that as of late. But with this being my last year co-chairing the event, I’m especially proud that it feels like - this year in particular - we really nailed that tone.

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Which, considering that multiple agencies and vendors came together to turn a fairly abstract idea into a cohesive vibe, is pretty astounding and just further proof of the talent here. I love this town, I love this community, I love seeing the work that comes out of all your creative brains. This was definitely a show that can’t be repeated.