YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Clever’s creative work took home seven awards – including two top honors – at the 2026 AAF-Akron American Advertising Awards on Feb. 27 in Akron.
“We are blown away by the response to our work at this year’s AAF-Akron American Advertising Awards,” said Adrienne Sabo, Clever founder and creative director. “To receive not just one but two Judge’s Choice Awards is an incredible honor.”
The marketing agency received a Judge’s Choice Award for its photography for local restaurant the Blind Bear.
“I’ve run a photography studio for years. I’ve done a lot of food photography personally, and this may be the best beverage photograph I have ever seen,” AAF judge John K. Addis said of Clever’s photography for Blind Bear.
Clever also received a Judge’s Choice Award for its packaging design for one of Ploom Supps’ newest products, Soul Cyst-her.
Clever’s creative team of Sabo, Whitney Burd, Francesca Byrne and Tony Marr also received two Gold Addys in the categories of Packaging Design for Ploom Supps’ Soul Cyst-her product and Photography for Ploom Supps. The marketing agency also received Silver Addys in the categories of Illustrations for Ploom Supps, Online & Interactive for Barry Dyngle’s website design and Packaging Design for Ploom Supps’ Happy Cramper product.
“This year’s awards highlight not only the exceptional creativity of our team, but also the variety of ways in which we bring that creativity to life through various marketing tactics,” said Burd, founder and designer. “From website design to photography, to illustrations and packaging, you can find those big creative ideas throughout everything we do.”
The American Advertising Awards is the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition, attracting more than 25,000 entries every year in local AAF Ad Club competitions.
Pictured at top: In back are Whitney Burd, Adrienne Sabo and Tony Marr. In front is Francesca Byrne.