AAF-Akron

Meet AAF-Akron’s Partnership and Mosaic chair Janae Droder.

Q: How did you get involved with AAF-Akron?
JD: I got involved through school at the University of Akron Myers School of Art. David Flynn got me interested and excited to join. I was close colleagues with the past Programs chair Rachel and current president kaylie so I quickly wanted to join the full adventure of being a board member. I replaced Rachel when she moved to Philly to further her career.

Q:What do you enjoy about living in Akron, Ohio?
JD: I think the most exciting thing is seeing AAF-Akron grow and strengthen and pattern recognition. I’ve always loved growing up here and have been really proud of it and wanted to show the rest of the world how great and welcoming we are as we continue to grow as a visiting city as more job opportunities appear in NE Ohio

Q:
JD: I’ve helped become and encourage the change and openness of Akron. Our LGBQT+ community has steadily been growing and I’m really proud to be any part of that no matter how small.
I’ve also grown up close to wild life and couldn’t imagine not having this awesome access to parks and trails.

Q:What do you hope to gain from AAF and what do you hope to share as a member?
JD: AAF has really helped me grow into the supportive, loyal and compassionate adult I have always wanted to be.

Q: How has AAF Benefited you?
JD: It helped me get the job I have today and freelance. I meet new people all the time and that makes me wanna work harder in providing them access to like minded community members and loyal colleagues.

Janae is a passionate baddie, a leader and an advocate working in graphic design while starting a clothing apparel line. AAF-Akron thanks Janae for their dedication and are grateful to work in building a greater Akron together.
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Thinking about joining AAF-Akron? We would love to meet you.

Meet AAF-Akron's Partnership and Mosaic chair Janae Droder.

Q: How did you get involved with AAF?
JD: I got involved through school at the University of Akron Myers School of Art. David Flynn got me interested and excited to join. I was close colleagues with the past Programs chair Rachel and current president kaylie so I quickly wanted to join the full adventure of being a board member. I replaced Rachel when she moved to Philly to further her career.

Q:What do you enjoy about living in Akron, Ohio?
JD: I think the most exciting thing is seeing AAF-Akron grow and strengthen and pattern recognition. I've always loved growing up here and have been really proud of it and wanted to show the rest of the world how great and welcoming we are as we continue to grow as a visiting city as more job opportunities appear in NE Ohio

Q:
JD: I've helped become and encourage the change and openness of Akron. Our LGBQT+ community has steadily been growing and I'm really proud to be any part of that no matter how small.
I've also grown up close to wild life and couldn't imagine not having this awesome access to parks and trails.

Q:What do you hope to gain from AAF and what do you hope to share as a member?
JD: AAF has really helped me grow into the supportive, loyal and compassionate adult I have always wanted to be.

Q: How has AAF Benefited you?
JD: It helped me get the job I have today and freelance. I meet new people all the time and that makes me wanna work harder in providing them access to like minded community members and loyal colleagues.

Janae is a passionate baddie, a leader and an advocate working in graphic design while starting a clothing apparel line. AAF-Akron thanks Janae for their dedication and are so glad to call you family.

Thinking about joining AAF-Akron? We would love to meet you.

Meet our AAF-Akron’s American Advertising Awards (ADDY’S) chair Jacob Scott. Jacob is a graphic designer, photographer and videographer. His specialty is helping people/companies tell their stories in a way they feel proud of.

Q: How did you get involved with AAF? How long have been with AAF-Akron?

JS: I attended my first American Advertising Awards in 2018 from an invitation by my high school graphic design teacher. Throughout college I continued to attend and eventually enter the event, while also becoming a student and eventually professional member after graduation.

Q: What's your favorite color and do you have any memories tied to it?

JS: Yellow! I once hated the color but made myself use it predominantly in a design project to get over that hatred. The end result was awesome which led me to see it more fondly.

Q: what do you hope to gain from AAF and what do you hope to share? Or, how has AAF benefited you?

JS: During my second term as awards chair I hope to use my expertise to invite both new and returning agencies/teams/individuals to celebrate their achievements in advertising. I love how AAF brings people together and the awards are one of the many ways we do so.

Thank you Jacob for your dedication and hard work with AAF-Akron. We are lucky to know you and can’t wait to see where the future takes you!

💓

Special thanks to Tonja Marshall, Chief Marketing Officer of Visit Canton for welcoming us into her space and presenting “Tourism Advertising: Branding a Destination.”

We learned so much about how Visit Canton brings in visitors. Here are just a few highlights:

- YOU are part of the destination. Residents are part of the brand.
- Visitors don’t just visit cities, they EXPERIENCE a destination.
- A destination brand has three jobs:
- Create desire (I want to visit)
- Create distinction (this is different from all the other places)
- Create permission (there is enough to justify my trip)
+ The best message is not universal. It is relevant, timely and compelling to a specific audience.

Visit Canton works to market and develop the community through exciting cultural partnerships and grants.

Thank you for an eye-opening presentation!

Not a member of AAF? You can still attend most of our events! We would love to meet you.

Step away from your screen and join your ad friends from Akron + CLE for our third annual happy hour at Richfield Brewing Company with an optional walk behind the brewery at Carter-Pedigo Trail.

Whether you’re building your career, growing your agency, or simply looking for more creative people to know, there is plenty of room for you.

Free and open to all. Bring your colleagues and meet new friends!

Learn more and register:
https://www.aafakron.com/events/fall-meetup-3/

Join our friends at Akron Life for one of the area’s most anticipated local events as they celebrate the very best food, businesses, entertainment, experiences, and people that make the 330 unique.

Any members interested in a discount code to this year's festivities? Message us!

See you at Best of the City!

📍 House Three Thirty
📅 September 23, 2026
6-9pm

Learn more and register:
Akron Life's Best of the City 2026

Member Monday Spotlight. Meet Kaylie Yaceczko. AAF-Akron President elect.

Q: Tell us about your history with AAF and when you got involved. What chairs have you held? Why is AAF important to you?

KY: I first joined AAF in 2021 when I started as a marketing coordinator for Red Point, and I wanted to make my mark in the local advertising community and get to know the folks in the industry better. I heard how amazing the American Advertising Awards were, so curiosity got the better of me and I went to their other events. I was hooked. After a while, I was asked if I wanted to sit in on a board meeting and get more involved. The rest is history.

Since being a part of the board, I've served as the Communications Co-Chair, Communications Chair, Membership Chair, Vice President, and now President!

I've met so many talented and intelligent individuals through AAF-Akron. As president, it's my goal to serve our members by helping them achieve their goals and be a professional resource for students because I believe the talent and innovation of the Greater Akron Ad community could truly change the world.

Q: What's your favorite color and why?

KY: My favorite color is pink! Growing up, I always had my bedroom painted pink and light blue. Reconnecting with my love for the color pink makes me feel powerful and reminds me that everything I do is to make younger me proud.

Q: How has AAF helped you grow professionally?

KY: AAF has helped me grow as a professional tremendously. I'm naturally more introverted, but being involved with AAF has helped me step out of my comfort zone and put myself out there to make a difference in the community. I feel more comfortable in my public speaking, introducing myself to folks when I don't know anyone in the room, and offering my ideas with confidence.

I want our members to have that same experience. I wouldn't be who I am today without AAF-Akron, and my goal as president is to help our members achieve their professional goals as I have through our club.

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Thank you for what you do, Kaylie. AAF-Akron is proud to call you our President.

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We will always love you, Dolly! RIP sweet butterfly. 💙💚