'Uncharted Waters,' a content marketing initiative by Wray Ward and Sunbrella that features the drive of US Sailing Team Sperry athletes and their goal to compete against the world’s best this August in Brazil, won three gold ADDY Awards at the American Advertising Federation’s District 3 competition this week. The work moves on to go head to head with the best work in the country this summer at the national competition.

Wray Ward won golds in three categories: art direction; cinematography; and overall campaign. Created to help the Sunbrella® brand engage with those who share its passion for sailing, ‘Uncharted Waters’ is captivating in both story and delivery.

 “ ‘Uncharted Waters’ naturally resonates with anyone who has ever had a goal and pledged to stop at nothing to achieve it, and we’re honored that the US Sailing team and their athletes are letting us inside in such a personal way to tell their story,” said John Roberts, vice president and executive creative director of Wray Ward, whose client Sunbrella® fabrics is a sponsor of the team and will launch a documentary this summer chronicling the athletes’ journey.

“What’s really exciting is how ‘Uncharted Waters’ brings our agency’s teams together in a way we couldn’t have done a few years ago. We’re using all internal resources to produce work that’s reaching sailing enthusiasts at every touch point – video content, written content, desktop, mobile – with a message that stirs their passion. It’s an incredible example of a collaborative, integrated project.”

Wray Ward also won a Silver ADDY Award at the District 3 competition for President and Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Appleby’s Pecha Kucha presentation in the public service category. Hosted in more than 800 cities, Pecha Kucha is event at which presenters show 20 slides for 20 seconds each; Appleby’s presentation was created for Pecha Kucha Night Charlotte and focuses on Charlotte as a creative and collaborative community.