AAF Suncoast

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Bringing local members of the professional advertising community together to protect and promote the

AAF Suncoast, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to the advancement of the art and business of advertising through professional education, legislative efforts, and community service. AAF Suncoast meets regularly, hosting speakers on various industry topics. In addition, AdFed Suncoast hosts the advertising community’s most prestigious event, the ADDY Awards, held each year. Membership is open to anyone who is involved in the advertising, media, communications, and creative services industry in Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee, and DeSoto Counties. To become a member or for more information about AAF Suncoast, visit www.aaf-suncoast.com.

10/12/2026

✨ IT’S NOMINATION TIME! ✨

The 2027 Best of SRQ Local Readers Competition is officially here, and we need YOUR help! 🏆

Each year, SRQ MEDIA celebrates the locally owned businesses, organizations, and experiences that make our community so special. Now, it’s our turn to show some love for the local creative community!

📣 Let’s get AAF Suncoast on the ballot!📣

We’re asking our members, friends, partners, and supporters to nominate **AAF Suncoast EVERY DAY through November 11!** 📅 Add us to your daily to-do list because every nomination counts!

Here are the four categories where you can nominate us:

🎨 Category: Arts + Culture → Best Local Arts Organization

💛 Category: Philanthropy → Best Local Nonprofit

🎭 Category: Philanthropy → Best Local Arts / Cultural Nonprofit

🤝 Category: Professional Services → Best Local Networking Group

**How to nominate:**
1️⃣ Visit the link below.
2️⃣ Select one of the categories listed above.
3️⃣ Type in AAF Suncoast.
4️⃣ Share your experience with us (optional, but always appreciated!).
5️⃣ Hit submit — and come back tomorrow to do it again!

🔗 NOMINATE AAF SUNCOAST HERE: http://srqmag.com/bosrq

At AAF Suncoast, we’re passionate about bringing together advertising professionals, creatives, students, and local businesses to learn, connect, and grow. Your support helps us continue building a stronger, more connected creative community across the Suncoast. ❤️

Every nomination means the world to us, and we’re so grateful to have you in our corner!

Let’s make some noise for the creative community and bring home a Best of SRQ Local recognition! 🏆✨

09/30/2026

✨ MEET THE BOARD: NICK PALLADINO ✨

We have another AAF Suncoast Board Member to spotlight! 🎧🎬 Meet Nick Palladino!

💼 Day Job: Sound Designer, Audio Post-Production Professional, Educator & Consultant
🎙️ Specialty: Sound Design, Mixing, Post-Production & Audio Education
📣 AAF Role: Co-Education Chair

With 40+ years in the entertainment industry, Nick is an award-winning sound designer whose work spans film, television, commercials, radio, music videos, live entertainment, and immersive media.

As founder of NPALL Audio, Nick has worked with clients including HBO, Sony Pictures, NASCAR, Disney, Lucasfilm, CBS, and A&E. His credits include Fireproof, Courageous, and War Room.

Since relocating to Sarasota, Nick has focused on education, consulting, and mentorship, including helping develop Ringling College’s post-audio curriculum and Studio Labs facilities.

We’re excited to have Nick bringing four decades of sound, storytelling, and creative expertise to AAF Suncoast! 🔊

👀 And we’re not done yet! We have another new board member joining us soon, so be on the lookout for their spotlight!

📅 Plus, keep your eyes peeled for details about our first AAF Suncoast event! We can’t wait to see everyone there.

09/18/2026

✨ MEET THE BOARD: ANNGLES SANCHEZ ✨

We’re wrapping up our 2026–2027 AAF Suncoast Board of Directors spotlight series with Anngeles Sanchez! 🎨✨

💼 Day Job: Freelance Graphic Designer
🎓 Alma Mater: Ringling College of Art and Design
🎨 Specialty: Branding, Advertising, Logo Design & Packaging
📣 AAF Role: AAF Suncoast Graphics Committee

Anngeles is a Florida-based graphic designer and creative professional with a passion for helping people and businesses discover, define, and express their unique visual identities.

A graduate of Ringling College of Art and Design, Anngeles brings a thoughtful and personal approach to freelance design. Her goal is simple: create visual work that feels authentic to her clients while aligning with the image they want to share with the world.

Her creative expertise spans advertising, logo design, and intuitive packaging design, with every project approached as an opportunity to create something that connects, communicates, and leaves a lasting impression. 💡

What drives Anngeles most is seeing the impact that great design can have, whether she's working with an established professional, a growing business, or someone bringing an idea to life for the very first time.

With a commitment to excellence, innovation, and exceeding expectations, Anngeles is ready to bring fresh ideas and visually compelling solutions to the AAF Suncoast community.

We’re excited to have Anngeles bringing her creative energy, fresh perspective, and passion for design to the AAF Suncoast Board!

And with that, we've officially introduced our 2026–2027 Board of Directors! 🎉

But this is just the beginning. AAF Suncoast is back and better than ever, and we’re excited for everything this new board will accomplish together for the advertising and creative community across the Suncoast and Southwest Florida.

09/17/2026

✨ MEET THE BOARD: CULLEN ANDREW ✨

Next up in our 2026–2027 AAF Suncoast Board of Directors spotlight series is Cullen Andrew! 📣

💼 Day Job: Digital Media Creator
🎯 Specialty: Digital & Marketing Strategy, Civic Journalism & Community Engagement
📣 AAF Role: Government Relations Chair

Cullen brings a unique perspective to the AAF Suncoast Board, blending marketing, digital media, storytelling, and community engagement to help make local issues more accessible and understandable.

As an independent digital media creator and citizen journalist, Cullen has built a strong presence across Southwest Florida, covering Sarasota, Charlotte County, and North Port. Through his social media platforms, he attends and documents local government meetings, community events, and conversations with public officials and community leaders.

His approach to digital storytelling focuses on bringing people into the conversation, turning complicated local policy, development, infrastructure, and civic issues into content that people can actually understand and engage with.

Cullen also works as a fractional Chief Marketing Officer and consultant, helping small businesses develop growth strategies, strengthen their marketing, and navigate today's rapidly changing digital landscape.

Also advocating for the no-code movement, encouraging businesses to take advantage of modern software and visual tools to build, automate, and scale without always needing extensive software development.

Cullen's work goes beyond marketing and media. As our Government Relations Chair, Cullen will help strengthen AAF Suncoast's connection with local leaders, government, and the communities we serve. Bringing the voice of the advertising and creative industry to the table.

We’re excited to have Cullen bringing his digital-first mindset, marketing expertise, and passion for community engagement to the AAF Suncoast Board!

Stay tuned as we continue introducing your 2026–2027 AAF Suncoast Board of Directors! 👀

09/17/2026

✨ MEET THE BOARD: EVA NELSON ✨

Next up in our 2026–2027 AAF Suncoast Board of Directors spotlight series is Eva Nelson! ✨🎨

💼 Day Job: Owner of Eva Nelson Design
🎨 Specialty: Brand Strategy, Visual Communications & Integrated Design
📣 AAF Role: AAF Suncoast Public Service Chair

Eva Nelson brings a thoughtful combination of creative expertise and commercial perspective to every brand she works with.

As the owner of Eva Nelson Design, Eva advises luxury brands, high-end professional service providers, and select nonprofit institutions, helping them define, express, and maintain a strong and cohesive brand presence.

Her work goes far beyond a logo. Eva designs and executes the full spectrum of integrated visual communication, including corporate identity and brand standards, advertising, publication design, packaging, promotional materials, environmental graphics, imagery, and the strategic use of language. 🎯

Her approach is both broad and sharp, looking at the bigger picture while paying close attention to the details that make a brand distinctive, recognizable, and meaningful.

Whether she's developing a brand identity from the ground up or helping an established organization maintain consistency across every touchpoint, Eva brings strategy and creativity together to create brands that communicate with purpose.

We’re excited to have Eva bringing her experience, creative perspective, and passion for strategic branding to the AAF Suncoast Board!

Stay tuned as we continue introducing your 2026–2027 AAF Suncoast Board of Directors! 👀

09/16/2026

✨ MEET THE BOARD: STEPHANIE KNIGHT ✨

Next up in our 2026–2027 AAF Suncoast Board of Directors spotlight series is Stephanie Knight! 🦩✨

💼 Day Job: Owner of Flamingo Creative
📍 Based In: Fort Myers, Florida
🎨 Specialty: Branding, Local SEO, Reputation Management & Digital Strategy
📣 AAF Role: AAF Suncoast Membership Chair

Stephanie founded Flamingo Creative in 2013 after years of building brand systems for franchise businesses and event organizations. Her early career included working on the retail development team at Media Arts Group, the art publisher behind the Thomas Kinkade Signature Gallery network, where she learned firsthand what it takes to keep a brand consistent across hundreds of independent locations.

One thing Stephanie learned early? Marketing works when strategy comes first. Every creative decision should connect back to a clear business objective.

Today, she brings that philosophy to Flamingo Creative, combining creative direction with expertise in local SEO, reputation management, and digital strategy to help Southwest Florida businesses strengthen their brands and get found by the people who matter most. 📈

And then there’s the flamingo. 🦩

Known around the community as “The Flamingo Girl,” Stephanie fully embraced her colorful nickname and turned it into a self-promotion campaign that earned her her fifth ADDY Award! 🏆

When she’s not running Flamingo Creative, Stephanie can be found singing with the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers or helping business owners navigate the world of AI while making sure we “keep it human.” 🤖❤️

We’re excited to have Stephanie bringing her strategic mindset, creative energy, and unmistakable flamingo spirit to the AAF Suncoast Board!

Stay tuned as we continue introducing your 2026–2027 AAF Suncoast Board of Directors! 👀

09/16/2026

✨ MEET THE BOARD: RICHARD WANJEMA ✨

Next up in our 2026–2027 AAF Suncoast Board of Directors spotlight series is Richard Wanjema! 🎨💻

💼 Day Job: Assistant Professor of Digital Media Design at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Bower School of Music & the Arts
🎓 Specialty: Graphic Design, Digital Media, UX Design & Design Education
📣 AAF Role: AAF Suncoast Education Chair

Richard brings a unique blend of design, education, research, and real-world industry experience to the AAF Suncoast community.

As an Assistant Professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, Richard teaches studio courses in graphic design and digital media, helping the next generation of creatives develop the skills and creative thinking they need to succeed in an ever-changing industry.

His professional journey spans multiple disciplines and platforms. Before entering academia, Richard worked as a freelance design consultant specializing in print and digital design, interaction, and user-centered research, giving him firsthand experience in creating user experiences that work across different platforms and audiences.

Today, Richard also coordinates FGCU’s Digital Media Design student internship program, connecting students with real clients and industry experiences while helping them build professional-caliber portfolios and practical skills. 🎓✨

His research interests include UX design, design education, and cultural preservation, and he is exploring how artificial intelligence can become another tool for preserving oral traditions and keeping storytelling alive.

With a passion for both design and developing the next generation of creative professionals, Richard brings an exciting perspective to the AAF Suncoast Board.

We’re excited to have Richard helping connect education, technology, creativity, and the future of our industry!

Stay tuned as we continue introducing your 2026–2027 AAF Suncoast Board of Directors! 👀

09/15/2026

✨ MEET THE BOARD: JIM BERGER ✨

Next up in our 2026–2027 AAF Suncoast Board of Directors spotlight series is Jim Berger! 🎙️

💼 Day Job: Voice Actor
🎧 Specialty: Commercials, Corporate Narration, Explainer Videos & Digital Advertising
📣 AAF Role: AAF Suncoast Secretary

With 50 years of experience as a public speaker and minister, Jim brings a lifetime of communication, storytelling, and connection to his work as a professional voiceover actor.

Two years ago, Jim made the transition into professional voiceover, combining his natural speaking ability and authentic delivery with a passion for helping brands find their voice — literally! 🎙️

From commercials and explainer videos to corporate narration and digital advertising, Jim specializes in conversational, authentic reads that help today’s brands sound approachable, credible, and human.

Working from his professional home recording studio, Jim delivers broadcast-quality audio while giving clients the flexibility and personal attention that make working with him a great experience.

And his voice doesn’t stop at the recording booth! ⚾ Jim also brings his on-mic experience to the ballpark as the stadium announcer at Hammond Stadium, the Minnesota Twins’ Spring Training home, for the Roy Hobbs Amateur Baseball Classic.

When he’s not behind the microphone, Jim enjoys life in Estero, Florida, with his wife, professional photographer Patricia Downey, and their two rescue kitties, Tigger and Tarragon. 🐈🐈‍⬛

We’re excited to have Jim bringing his experience, voice, and passion for communication to the AAF Suncoast Board!

Stay tuned as we continue introducing your 2026–2027 AAF Suncoast Board of Directors! 👀

09/15/2026

✨ MEET THE BOARD: SELINA BOSTIC ✨

We’re kicking off our 2026–2027 AAF Suncoast Board of Directors spotlight series with our President, Selina Bostic! 🎨

💼 Day Job: Graphic Designer at Feld Entertainment
🖤 Creative Side Hustle: Founder & Creative Director of Studio 97 Graphics
📣 AAF Role: AAF Suncoast President & AAF District 4 President’s Council Chair

Selina is a Sarasota–Bradenton-based graphic designer whose work reaches audiences across the country through some of the biggest names in live entertainment, including Ringling Bros., Monster Jam, SuperMotocross, Monster Energy Supercross, and Disney On Ice.

When she’s not designing for Feld Entertainment, Selina runs Studio 97 Graphics, where she helps small businesses turn their ideas into memorable brands through thoughtful design, creative strategy, and visual storytelling.

Her passion for advertising goes beyond design. Selina has been an active leader in AAF Suncoast and AAF District 4, helping guide AAF Suncoast through a major period of transition and working to strengthen the organization and its connection to the local creative community.

🏆 Her creative work has earned multiple Gold and Silver ADDY Awards, a Best of Category honor, and in 2026, she received the prestigious AAF Silver Medal Award for her contributions to advertising, AAF Suncoast, and the Suncoast community.

And when she’s not working? You’ll probably find Selina at a music festival, hunting for another vinyl record to add to her collection, or hanging out with her cat, Boo. 🐈‍⬛🎶

We’re excited to have Selina leading the charge as AAF Suncoast is back and better than ever!

Stay tuned as we introduce the rest of your 2026–2027 AAF Suncoast Board of Directors! 👀

09/14/2026

🚨 AAF SUNCOAST IS BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER! 🚨

We’re excited to officially introduce the 2026–2027 AAF Suncoast Board of Directors! 🎉

A new year means new ideas, new connections, and new opportunities to strengthen and serve the advertising, marketing, design, media, and creative community across Sarasota, Fort Myers, and the surrounding region.

Our board is made up of passionate professionals who are ready to roll up their sleeves, build relationships, create meaningful programs, support our members, and make an impact in our communities. 💡🤝

Over the coming days, we’ll be introducing each of our board members so you can get to know the people behind AAF Suncoast. What they do, why they’re involved, and the impact they’re making in our community.

And we’re not done growing! 👀

We still have opportunities for passionate professionals who want to get involved and help shape the future of AAF Suncoast.

Interested in joining the board?
📩 Email [email protected]
💬 Or send us a DM!

AAF Suncoast is building something exciting. Come be part of it. 🚀

Address

Sarasota, FL
34277

Website

http://www.aaf-suncoast.com/

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