I’ve had the pleasure of working with Brad, and can’t say enough: stand-up guy and an inspiring talent. Read on for press release material:
AAF Asheville, the Western North Carolina chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), has named Brad Campbell, accomplished writer and creative director, as recipient of the federation’s 2016 Silver Medal Award in recognition of a lifetime of service to the advertising community, to Asheville and to the surrounding region.
Campbell will be the guest of honor at the award presentation luncheon on May 17 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Twisted Laurel, 130 College St. Asheville. The event is open to the public although advance registration is required. Registration for the event will be $20 for AAF Asheville members and $24 for non-members. Please visit www.aafasheville.org for registration.
“To say that Brad Campbell has a way with words is an understatement,” said Karen Tessier, founder and president of Market Connections, where Campbell has served as creative director for seven years. “I believe there’s a light that twinkles in the corner of his mind, a spark that generates ideas and concepts so clever and true that his co-workers smile with inspiration, his clients grin with wonder, and the public is captivated.”
A Louisiana native, Campbell began his professional career as a freelance writer, publishing feature stories in Louisiana Life, the Shreveport Times, PACE Magazine and the Chicago Tribune. He then began his advertising career at Price/McNabb Advertising in 1985 where he was a key writer for Asheville’s Tourism Development Authority and The Biltmore Estate. Working under creative director Jay Fields, Campbell won several ADDY Gold Awards and a Best of Show.
From Asheville, Campbell relocated to Chicago to become a copywriter and associate creative director at DDB Needham Worldwide where he won a national Effie Award for advertising effectiveness. At Needham, he worked on some of the nation’s most well-known and respected brands, including State Farm Insurance, Anheuser-Busch, Disney Home Video, Pantene, General Mills, Morton Salt, Audi and Yoplait Yogurt.
Campbell resumed his career in Asheville after becoming creative director and president of The Alpha Group, handling the advertising of Grove Park Inn & Spa, Ingles Grocery Stores, Chimney Rock Park, and the Knoxville Convention and Visitors Bureau.
In addition, Campbell was a co-writer with Jay Fields on the first two editions of Handmade In America’s popular travel guide, The Craft Heritage Trails of Western North Carolina.
Campbell has been a member of the Market Connections team for seven years, working on the Transylvania County Tourism Development Authority, Keystone Camp, Davidson River Outfitters, Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Silver-line Plastics, and many others. Under Campbell’s leadership, Market Connections has won several gold and silver ADDY awards in recent years, including Best of Show in 2012 and 2013.
Campbell wrote the narratives that accompany the wayfinding kiosks that are located throughout Buncombe County.
A screenwriter in his spare time, Campbell just optioned his first screenplay, Containment, to a Los Angeles production company. Campbell also enjoys reading, hiking, playing guitar and is an avid cyclist.