Raucous Rockies

For those who may have missed it, the 2023 edition of the Rockies was held earlier this month. After a few years of virtual-to-subdued awards shows, this one felt like a return to something resembling normalcy, if such a thing exists anymore.

There were shenanigans, shameless self promotion, and a lot of ‘show’ to the awards show. A few highlights from the evening:

Duft Watterson took home Best of Show for their Idaho Transportation Department Motorcycle Safety campaign.

Duft Watterson, SOVRN, and Lovevery also won Regional ADDY awards, in addition to their respective Gold Rockies.

Kate Holgate of Stoltz Marketing Group was the recipient of this year’s IAF Silver Medal Award.

Congratulations to everyone who took home hardware at the end of the night. There’s a lot that goes into creating award-winning work, and I have long held the belief — and still do to this day — that the talent in, and the work coming out of the state of Idaho is just as good as what comes of larger, more recognizable places.

Some pictures and video others shared from the evening:

A full list of winners should be available on the Boise Advertising Federation’s website in the near future.

Call for Nominations: IAF Silver Medal Award

After a hiatus for the past few years (can’t imagine why), the Idaho Advertising Federation is once again accepting nominations for the Silver Medal Award.

For those who aren’t familiar with the award:

The IAF Silver Medal Award is presented annually by the Idaho Advertising Federation to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to advertising by advancing the industry’s standards, demonstrating creative excellence, and promoting social welfare.

Following receipt of nominations, the IAF Board of Directors selects a regional panel of Idaho judges to review nominees based on the criteria that follow. Only one Silver Medal is awarded each year, and judges may elect not to award the Silver Medal in any given year.

The Silver Medal winner is announced at the annual Rockie Awards Banquet hosted by the Idaho Advertising Federation. The recipient’s name is listed with other winners throughout the nation for presentation to the National Conference of the American Advertising Federation.

More details about the award, and the nomination process, can be found on the Boise Advertising Federation’s website.

Nominations for this year’s award must be submitted by Friday, March 10th.

116 & West went north

And came back with a new agency.

Boise-based 116 & West has acquired KlĂĽndt Hosmer, a Spokane, Washington-based agency of similar size that was founded in 1987 by Darin KlĂĽndt and Rick Hosmer.

In a statement about the acquisition, Darin Klündt said, “We have worked with thousands of organizations, created hundreds of brands, and guided visual communications for clients throughout the Inland Empire, and we’re excited to offer more robust full-service marketing with the additional resources and experience 116 & West provides.”

Also, from Carolyn Lodge, chief operating officer at 116 & West, “Klündt Hosmer’s design-centered approach, longevity in the market, and value proposition to a loyal client base made them an attractive addition to 116 & West, and Spokane is a city we love and have had roots in for many years.”

The four partners of KlĂĽndt Hosmer will remain with the company, as principals, with offices in the historic Commission Building in downtown Spokane.

This marks the second acquisition for 116 & West. As MMG, the agency acquired Davies Rourke in 2009. The newly-combined entity subsequently rebranded to DaviesMoore, which then took on its current 116 & West identity in early 2020.