About the 2027 Award Show

Behind every great idea is a story waiting to be told.


Join AAF Orange County at the Bowers Museum for an unforgettable evening celebrating the visionaries, dreamers, and boundary-pushers behind Orange County’s most outstanding creative work.


The Creative Unveiling invites us to look beyond the finished piece and discover the people, passion, and imagination that bring great ideas to life. Every concept has a beginning. Every creator has a story. And every remarkable piece of work reveals something extraordinary beneath the surface.


Join us for the AAF OC 2027 American Advertising Awards as we peel back the layers, celebrate creative excellence, and honor the talent shaping the future of advertising.

DEADLINES & FEES

IMPORTANT DATES

Call for Entries:
October 20, 2026
Early Deadline:
January 15, 2027 at 11:59pm

Late Deadline: 
January 20, 2027 at 11:59pm


Awards Gala: March 18, 2027

PROFESSIONAL

MEMBER FEES

Early Entry: $210 per entry

Late Entry: $250 per entry

*Late Fee applied January 16, 2027 at 12:00am


NON-MEMBER FEES

Early Entry: $250 per entry

Late Entry: $280 per entry

*Late Fee applied January 16, 2027 at 12:00am


Professional Rules & Categories

STUDENT

MEMBER FEES

Early Entry: $50 per entry

Late Entry: $60 per entry

*Late Fee applied January 16, 2027 at 12:00am


NON-MEMBER FEES

Early Entry: $65 per entry

Late Entry: $75 per entry

*Late Fee applied January 16, 2027 at 12:00am


Student Rules & Categories

Become a Sponsor for AAF OC

Want to be a sponsor? We keep operations going with the help of you!

Please contact our board of directors at info@aaforangecounty.com to discuss opportunities.

Our 2027 Award Winning Judges

Parivash Babaee

Parivash Babaee

Multidisciplinary Graphic Designer

Lara Herzer

Judge to Come

Creative Director, TBD

Dana Wahlbeck

Judge to Come

Creative Director, TBD

LOCAL-ONLY CATEGORIES

  • L1: The Foodie Award

    The best of restaurant and/or food advertising in OC. 

    • This can be in any media format. 
    • The advertising must be for an Orange County based business.

  • L2: The Elevated Award

    The best of cannabis and/or hemp advertising in OC. 

    • This can be in any media format. 
    • The advertising must be for an Orange County based business.

  • L3: Her Award

    The best of advertising for women-owned businesses in OC. 

    • This can be in any media format. 
    • The advertising must be for an Orange County based business.

  • L4: The Automotive Award

    The best of automotive advertising in OC. 

    • This can be in any media format. 
    • The advertising must be for an Orange County based business.

  • L5: The Gaming & Technology Award

    The best of advertising for gaming and/or technology companies in OC. 

    • This can be in any media format. 
    • The advertising must be for an Orange County based business.

  • L6: The Apparel Award

    The best of advertising for apparel brands in OC. 

    • This can be in any media format. 
    • The advertising must be for an Orange County based business.

  • L7: The Real Estate Award

    The best of advertising from a real estate company or realtor in OC. 

    • This can be in any media format. 
    • The advertising must be for an Orange County based business.

  • L8: The Avant-Garde Award

    The best of innovative advertising in OC, work that sets a new standard, challenges the norm, or amazes with a huge “WOW” factor. 

    • This can be in any media format. 
    • The advertising must be for an Orange County based business.

  • L9: The Influencer Award

    The best of working with a creator/influencer to spread a brand message through public sharing, commenting and expressions of opinions and content. 

    • This can be in any media format. 
    • The advertising must be for an Orange County based business or the influencer must primarily reside in Orange County.

  • L10: The Extreme Makeover Award

    The best of rebranding created in OC. 

    • This can be in any media format. 

  • L11: The Graveyard

    The best ideas that the client didn’t greenlight created in OC. 

    • This can be in any media format. 

  • L12: The Non-Profit

    The best creative in both small and large non-profit work.

    • This can be in any media format. 
    • The advertising must be for an Orange County based business.

2026 Award Show Sponsors
If you want to become a sponsor, email info@aaforangecounty.com.

ig1 Communications
Pixels and Magic Photography
Westamerica Communications
Creative Aid
Sparkhouse Medi
Momentum
American Advertising Awards Logo - Black Text