I’m proud to share that our agency collected 17 awards at the 2016 American Advertising Awards (AAAwards) of Charlotte including the coveted Best of Show for Uncharted Waters, an incredible partnership between Sunbrella fabrics and the US Sailing Team Sperry.

The world is changing, and we’re rising to the occasion. But we couldn’t succeed in a traditional agency structure today. That’s why, for the better part of the last decade, we’ve been on a mission to creatively infuse our team from end to end – not just the creative department. Now, we have pieces that weren’t in place a few years ago, like a full-service video team and a finely tuned digital machine and a culture that thrives on sharing.

Uncharted Waters is just one example of what can happen when all of these pieces come together to achieve a goal.

Our client, Sunbrella, is the number one trusted name in marine fabric. When they asked us to come up with a creative solution to engage the marine community on a deeper level, we knew we needed to speak to more than performance fabric. We understood we needed to push performance but also connect it to people’s emotions. That’s why we set out to reach Sunbrella’s target audience via shared passions of sailing and life on the water through a great idea that started in our media department.

Enter Sunbrella’s sponsorship of the US Sailing Team Sperry.

Using race footage, in-depth interviews and on-the-road video diaries, Uncharted Waters tells the story of the US Sailing Team through the individual personalities of team members and their pursuit of athletic glory this August in Brazil. It documents each triumph, setback and sacrifice in their relentless pursuit of a dream.

At the end of the day, the most effective marketing tells a great story, and Uncharted Waters wrote the book on storytelling. It showcases our commitment to content, digital chops and a brilliant performance by our video team.

But great content or a great digital experience alone won’t win the day. Uncharted is successful because it’s a shining example of all of our agency’s disciplines working together seamlessly.

That’s also why it’s not only telling a great story, but also netting great results. And the best part is that it’s just one way Wray Ward has evolved to meet our clients’ growing needs in today’s exciting, fast-paced landscape.

I’m proud of our team for their showing at this year’s AAAwards, but I’m even prouder of their ability to tell our clients’ stories in inspiring, effective ways in a variety of mediums. Congratulations to all of our clients and agency staff who helped bring this award-winning work to life. Things will only get more exciting from here. It’s going to be a great year, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

2016 American Advertising Awards (AAAwards) of Charlotte

• Glen Raven/Sunbrella Uncharted Waters – Best of Show
• Glen Raven/Sunbrella Uncharted Waters Art Direction – Gold ADDY
• Glen Raven/Sunbrella Uncharted Waters Cinematography – Gold ADDY
• Glen Raven/Sunbrella Uncharted Waters Online/Interactive Campaign – Gold ADDY
• Jennifer Appleby Pecha Kucha Charlotte Presentation Public Service Ambient Media – Gold ADDY
• Glen Raven/Sunbrella White Label Photography Campaign – Silver ADDY
• Glen Raven/Sunbrella Uncharted Waters Responsive Design – Silver ADDY
• Glen Raven/Sunbrella Uncharted Waters User Experience – Silver ADDY
• Glen Raven/Sunbrella Uncharted Waters Consumer Website – Silver ADDY
• Glen Raven/Sunbrella Perspective by Sunbrella Consumer Website – Silver ADDY
• Glen Raven/Sunbrella Uncharted Waters Single Spot – Silver ADDY
• Glen Raven/Sunbrella Uncharted Waters Webisode(s) – Silver ADDY
• Glen Raven/Sunbrella Uncharted Waters Single Entry – Silver ADDY
• Mira Scharr Girl Scout Cookie Poster Campaign – Silver ADDY
• VELUX Skylights Why Skylights Consumer Website – Silver ADDY
• VELUX Skylights Why Skylights Single Spot – Silver ADDY
• Wray Ward Website – Silver ADDY