REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL:

2026 American Advertising Federation Awards Creative Theme

Issued by: Nashville American Advertising Federation (Nashville AAF)
Issue Date: September 1, 2025
Submission Deadline: September 26, 2025
Contact: aafnashville25@gmail.com

I. Overview

Howdy Nashville creatives!

The Nashville American Advertising Federation is inviting our city’s top talent to submit proposals for the development of the official creative theme and branding concept for the 2026 AAF Nashville American Advertising Awards - the most anticipated night of the year for Nashville’s ad scene.

We are seeking agency participation - whether separate and solo, OR agencies banding together to join in contributing their specialties. The theme should be distinctly Nashville, defining this year’s event across all visual, digital, and experiential touchpoints.

Please note that the time and creative effort contributed to the development and execution of the awards theme are viewed as an in-kind donation to the event. A time honored tradition, if you will. The winning agency is expected to work with their vendor partners and network to cover the cost of printing where possible. 

In recognition of this generous partnership, the selected agency (or agency partners) will be acknowledged as the highest-level sponsor of the 2026 AAF Nashville American Advertising Awards, receiving prominent visibility throughout the event and across all promotional channels.

II. About the AAF Nashville Awards

The American Advertising Awards is the advertising industry's largest and most representative competition, attracting nearly 35,000 entries every year in local AAF competitions. The mission of the American Advertising Awards is to recognize and reward the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising.

Conducted annually by the AAF, the local tier is the first of a three-tier, national competition. Concurrently, across the country, local entrants vie to win an ADDY Award — recognition as the very best in their markets. At the second tier, local Club winners compete against winners from other local clubs in one of 15 district competitions. District awards winners are then forwarded to the third tier, the national stage of the American Advertising Awards. Entry in your local competition is the first step toward winning a national award.

III. Scope of Work

We are soliciting a creative theme concept that will be carried through all components of the 2026 awards cycle, including:

• Overall Event Theme (e.g., tagline, narrative, or conceptual foundation)

• Design and execute expected event elements, including but not limited to:

• • Social graphic promotions leading up to event

  • Awards presentation deck 

  • Printed winners books 

  • Printed materials at show (cocktail napkins, coasters, giveaways)

  • Branded step and repeat 

• Comms strategy for distribution & notification

Note: Final production and rollout will be in collaboration with the AAF Nashville team. Your concept may evolve during the process, and you may be retained to carry the theme through execution.

IV. Submission Requirements

Hey, you’re busy, we get it. Just a one-pager will do it.

Keep your ideas clear and concise and answer the following buckets in your proposal:

1. Brief Agency Overview

   • Name, location, primary contact

   • Please outline whether you would like to contribute as one agency entity to handle the entire show - OR if you would like to contribute alongside other agencies. If the latter, please outline your agency’s specialties and suggested services (i.e. branding and deck, or print materials).
     
     

2. Concept Proposal

   • Theme/title and creative rationale

   • Visual direction (examples/moodboard encouraged)

   • Example applications (e.g., sample graphics, concepts)
     
     

3. Team & vendor support

   • Short bios of the individuals who would lead the project

   • Staffing plan and capacity commitment (please see appendix with example commitment from previous year’s shows).

   • Strong Vendor Relations: In a short paragraph, please indicate your most trusted vendors, the folks you call on to make anything happen.
     
     

4. Optional

   • Ideas for how to make this year’s event feel bigger, bolder, and more uniquely Nashville

V. Selection Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated based on the following:

• Creativity, originality, and relevance to Nashville’s creative scene

• Ability to translate theme across multiple mediums

• Alignment with AAF’s mission and event objectives

• Feasibility and clarity of concept

VI. Important Dates

• RFP Released: September 1, 2025

• Proposal Deadline: September 26, 2025

• Agency Selection & Notification: September 29 - October 3

• Concept Launch & Execution: October 2025 – February 2026

• Event Date: February 21, 2026 (tentatively)

VII. How to Submit

Please email your full proposal as a PDF or shareable link to: aafnashville25@gmail.com

Subject line: [Your Agency Name] – AAF Nashville Awards Theme Proposal

LASTLY…

This is your chance to help define the tone and look of Nashville’s biggest night in advertising. Your work will be seen by hundreds of creative professionals, leaders, clients, and collaborators — and remembered as a signature part of the city’s creative culture.

We’re not just recognizing the best ideas. We want you to help set the stage for them.Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to seeing what you dream up.

– The AAF Nashville Board of Directors

VIII. APPENDIX

Sample agency commitment, pulled from previous year’s efforts:

• Expected hours: 750-800 total team hours (based on previous year estimate); Estimated from Dec-Feb, approximately 200 hours a month

• Sample print deliverables: 300 posters, 250 winners books, 350 awards programs, 750 cocktail napkins, 450 stickers, 500 coasters, 15-30 specialty centerpieces developed