The American Advertising Federation Fresno held its annual Honors Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, recognizing leaders and organizations in the local advertising industry for 2025.
This year’s event included awards for individuals and companies from various sectors such as television, newspapers, marketing agencies, and independent businesses. Roberta Asahina received the Joe Levy Lifetime Achievement Award. Asahina is a veteran of the Fresno advertising industry and has been a professor at Fresno State since 1984. She was previously inducted into the California State University, Media, Communications and Journalism Alumni and Friends Chapter Hall of Fame in 2009.
Previous recipients of the Joe Levy Lifetime Achievement Award include Blair Looney (2024) and Bruce and Wendy Batti (2023).
In 2023, Ashley Webster Rudolph from The Business Journal was recognized by AAF Fresno. Other local business leaders honored in past years include Michael Carr, Jessie Irwin, and Rebecca Barnes.
The full list of 2025 award winners includes:
– Ralph E. Brown Award: Centered Marketing Group
– Nancy Thielen Award: Cody Medaris, Expo Party Rentals
– J.U. Berry Award: Matt Morse, Nextar, KSEE24, CBS47
– Professional of the Year Award: Anna Carrion, Community Health System
– Professional of the Year Award: Reggie Ellis, The Sun-Gazette
– AAF Silver Medal Award: Jessica Blanchfield, Archer & Hound Advertising
– Hall of Fame Award: Cat Figuera, Jeffery Scott Agency
Star Awards were also presented:
– “Rising Star” Individual: Jordan Singh, Windsong Productions
– “Rising Star” Company: AMARQUEZ
– Outstanding Media Salesperson of the Year: Steven Barra, Cumulus Media
– Creative Talent of the Year: Ron Nikkel, Five Creative Group
– Media Planner of the Year: Kerry Sabbatini, Jeffrey Scott Agency
– Agency of the Year: HYPHEN
No additional special categories were announced this year.
