The 52nd Annual American Advertising Awards Return to Baltimore on March 12

A Little Magic, A Lot of Great Work

AAF Baltimore proudly announces the 52nd Annual American Advertising Awards: Abraca-ADDYs, presented by iHeartMedia. Returning to Baltimore on March 12, 2026, the show will take place at the historic Garrett-Jacobs Mansion at The Engineers Club, bringing together the region’s advertising, marketing, and creative community for a night dedicated to outstanding work and the people behind it.

A leading audio media company with a deep commitment to storytelling, creativity, and local communities, iHeartMedia returns as Title Sponsor for the third consecutive year. Their continued support reflects a meaningful investment in Baltimore’s advertising industry and the creative work that shapes culture across the region.

The American Advertising Awards are the advertising industry’s largest and most representative nationwide competition, recognizing exceptional creative work across all media. Locally, entries are judged by a respected panel of professionals from outside the Baltimore market, with winning work advancing to district and national competitions.

Now in its 52nd year, the Baltimore American Advertising Awards have become a cornerstone of the local creative community. Each year, the show honors bold ideas, strong craft, and the collaboration that turns strategy into impact. The 2026 awards will spotlight standout work from the past year while celebrating the teams, partners, and problem-solvers who made it possible.

As part of this tradition, AAF Baltimore invites a local agency each year to develop the creative theme for the show. For 2026, that theme is Abraca-ADDYs, the most magical advertising awards show ever to grace Baltimore.

Guests can expect to be astonished by creative SLEIGHT OF HAND that makes complexity disappear. They will be invited to wonder as insight reveals a FORTUNE LAID BARE by all-knowing minds, and encouraged to marvel at LOGIC-DEFYING ADS that push expectations further than ever. Together, the community will gather to celebrate the magic that emerges when bold creativity meets undaunted collaboration.

The 2026 Abraca-ADDYs theme was developed by Storyfarm, with art direction led by Melissa LaMartina.

Tickets and full event details are available at baltimoreadvertising.com/2026-abraca-addys. Be sure to check back for updates and follow @AAFBaltimore on social as we count down to a night that celebrates bold ideas, creative risk-taking, and the collaboration that defines our community.

Abraca-ADDYs presented by iHeartMedia

Baltimore’s American Advertising Awards

March 12, 2026 | 6–10 PM