The clink of champagne glasses and toasts mixed with the warm chatter of friends and well-wishers on Friday, July 16, at the American Advertising Federation of the U.S. Virgin Islands’ annual meeting and induction of its 2010/2011 board, held at the Mahogany Run Clubhouse.
“This is a great kick-off to another dynamic year,” said Kevin Hughes, the newly installed president, who is returning for a second consecutive term at the helm of AAF-USVI. “We have a great new executive board, and the V.I. community can look forward to the implementation of programs and events that benefit the advertising/media and business sector, but that also benefit the greater public at large,” he said.
Cathy O’Gara, past president and one of the original founders of the Ad Club (as the organization was originally called), welcomed attendees to the event, and swore in and installed the new board. The current 2010/2011 slate includes the following media professionals:
Officers
Kevin Hughes – President/Immediate Past President (Choice Communications)
Lisa Jamil – 1st Vice President (The Virgin Islands Daily News)
Ansen Sligar – 2nd Vice President (of VI. Now)
Stanford Mings – Treasurer (V.I. Technical Services)
Cheryl Thompson – Secretary (CET Business Services)
Directors
Sandra Goomansing – (CBS TV2/Innovative Cable)
Linda Hendricks – (Ackley Media Group)
Marcus Brown — (The Virgin Islands Daily News)
Yvette de LaBlanque — (WTJX Channel 12)
A.C. Burgess — (V.I. Lottery)
Karen Gutloff – (Reichhold Center for the Performing Arts)
Bob Austin/Honorary Director – (Moxie Marketing)
President Hughes’ acceptance speech proudly referenced several key accomplishments of the club in the previous year, including:
• The AAF U.S.V.I. Charity Bowl-a-Rama/including accompanying decorative bowling pin auction, which netted proceeds that were donated to The Beacon Schools.
• The adoption of the Queen Louise Home for The Aged. Painted the inside of the facility, and donated a big screen TV and numerous personal toiletry items for each resident of the home.
• ADDY Awards 2010, reflecting the best advertising campaigns from all genres within the U.S. Virgin Islands
• Annual auction, where the club successfully raised a record amount of revenue
President Hughes thanked the previous executive board and stressed that all non-profit and civic organizations within the Virgin Islands have a huge responsibility to not only be charitable but to be ambassadors of the territory, presenting it in the best of light at all times. “One of things that we are most proud of is our close relationship with our student Ad Club at the University of the Virgin Islands. Just recently one of the graduates, Paul Remy Jr., received an impressive award from our National Organization, which was recognized at our local ADDY Awards. As the parent organization of the UVI Ad Club, we are proud that we have been able to provide the type of nurturing environment and support, which helped to contribute to Paul’s award. The point that Paul has recently earned a full time job at MLB Creative, one of the AAF member organizations, is proof positive not only of our club’s commitment to the students still in school, but also to our continuing commitment to them after they graduate and enter the workforce,” he said.
Nationally, AAF is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and acts as the “Unifying Voice for Advertising.” It is the oldest national advertising trade association, representing 40,000 professionals in the advertising industry. To become a member, or to learn more about the AAF U.S.V.I., visit the Web site at adclub.vi or call 774-8478.
