Palm Springs, CA—March 17, 2010: The Desert?s advertising community has awarded its highest honors, the ADDY Awards, at the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Palm Springs ⋅ Desert Cities? annual gala held on Friday, March 12, 2010, at the Riviera Resort and Spa. This year?s event, “The AdFather,” was attended by approximately 140 Coachella Valley advertising professionals and agencies, up 40% from last year.

"With so many great entries this year, the ADDYs have proven that amazing advertising is alive and well in the desert,” said Ethan Kaminsky, Co-chairman of the ADDY event committee. “We?re very proud of not only all the winners, but every entry this year. The gala at the Riviera Resort and Spa was the perfect setting for our theme of ?The AdFather? – which was based on Mario Puzo?s The Godfather.” Tim O?Bayley, President of AAF added “With over 60,000 entries annually, the ADDY® Awards are the worlds largest and arguably the toughest advertising competition. The ADDY® Awards represent the true spirit of creative excellence by recognizing all forms of advertising from media of all types, and creative by all kinds and sizes of entities –

from individual designers to the largest agencies."

More than 200 local entries were judged based on creativity, originality, and creative strategy by a team of three top advertising and creative professionals from outside of the Coachella Valley. In all, 25 Gold ADDY Awards, 31 Silver ADDY Awards and 31 Bronze ADDY Awards were handed out during the evening?s festivities. ADDY winners from the local competition will go on to compete regionally and nationally.

Point7West took top honors for Overall Best of Show for their campaign on the McCallum Theatre, as well as Best of Electronic also for their work on the McCallum. Point7West also took home 6 Gold awards and 6 Silver ADDYs. The Desert Sun won Best of Interactive for its online campaign for Indian Wells Arts Festival, as well as 2 Golds and 1 Silver. Other big winners included Caliente Ink with 13 ADDYs, Kiner Communications won 10, Kaminsky Productions won 10, The Jones Agency won 6, and Imagine It! Media, Inc. won 5 ADDYs.