AdMonth 2025: Four Weeks of Engaging Events

Every October, AAF Buffalo celebrates the advertising and creative community with AdMonth – a month-long series of events designed to inspire, educate and bring creatives together.

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This year’s AdMonth delivered exactly that. Across four unique events, industry professionals, students, and creative thinkers gathered throughout October to discuss mental health, experience art together, learn from an accomplished creative leader, and explore the world of sports marketing.

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From workshops to panels to social events, AdMonth 2025 highlighted the strength, talent and collaboration that define Buffalo’s creative community.

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Week 1: Thriving Creatively Workshop

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AdMonth kicked off with an important conversation about creativity and well-being at Resurgence Brewing Company.

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Barney and Alisha Abramson of Thriving Creatively led a thoughtful workshop focused on the mental health challenges that many professionals face in fast-paced creative industries. The session explored practical strategies for managing stress, preventing burnout and building long-term resilience while maintaining creative momentum.

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Week 2: Art After Hours Social Night

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Next, members gathered for a relaxed evening of networking and culture at the newly renovated Buffalo AKG Art Museum.

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Guests enjoyed access to the museum’s beautiful M&T Bank Gallery while connecting with fellow creatives over complimentary drinks and conversation. 

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The event highlighted how creativity extends beyond the workplace and into the broader artistic community that inspires it.

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Week 3: Nate Dolce Spotlight Speaker Series

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AdMonth continued with the Spotlight Speaker Series at Daemen University, featuring creative leader Nate Dolce.

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Speaking to both students and experienced professionals, Dolce shared insights from his career in branding, design, and digital storytelling. Drawing from his time as Design Director at Nike where he led digital storytelling for the FIFA World Cup and his later work as a partner at Meaningful Works, he offered a candid perspective on creative risk-taking.

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Dolce emphasized that safe work may fit in, but truly great work rarely does. He encouraged creatives to challenge predictable solutions, embrace curiosity, and ask “what if?” when approaching their craft. His message resonated with the audience, reinforcing that meaningful innovation often begins where expectations end.

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Week 4: Beyond the Scoreboard Sports Marketing Panel

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AdMonth wrapped up with a lively discussion on sports marketing at Delaware North’s HUB in downtown Buffalo.

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The panel featured industry experts including:

• Liz Mattingly – VP and Creative Director at Crowley Webb 
• Bradley Gelber – Director of Marketing at West Herr
• Jesse Ladoue – Marketing Director, Licensed Sports at New Era Cap
• Lindsay Truesdell – Director of Partnership Marketing at Delaware North

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Panelists discussed the many sides of sports marketing – from brand partnerships and fan engagement to storytelling across leagues and venues. Attendees gained valuable insights into how brands connect with passionate fan bases and how sports partnerships can elevate marketing strategies.

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With Buffalo’s strong sports culture, the conversation resonated deeply with the audience – especially during a great Buffalo Bills season.

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Powerful Takeaways

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AdMonth 2025 proved once again that Buffalo’s advertising and creative industries thrive when professionals come together to share ideas, experiences and inspiration.

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AAF Buffalo extends a sincere thank-you to the speakers, panelists, partners and attendees who made AdMonth such a success. We look forward to continuing the momentum throughout the year!