Jonesboro Unlimited Wins Best of Show, Three Gold ADDYs for “Always Jonesboro” Campaign

JONESBORO, Ark. — Jonesboro Unlimited received four top honors at the 2026 American Advertising Awards (ADDY) Gala in Paragould on Feb. 27 for its Always Jonesboro talent attraction campaign video.

The awards, presented by the Northeast Arkansas chapter of the American Advertising Federation, included three Gold ADDYs and Best of Show, the competition’s highest recognition. The campaign was recognized for its creative storytelling and digital content highlighting Jonesboro’s quality of life, career opportunities and community assets.

“Winning three Gold ADDYs and Best of Show is an incredible honor, but more importantly it shows that the story of Jonesboro is resonating beyond our city,” said Bethania Baray-Harrison, director of talent attraction at Jonesboro Unlimited. “Always Jonesboro was created to celebrate the people, energy and opportunities that make this community special, and we’re proud to see that message recognized at this level.”

The American Advertising Awards are conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation as the first stage of a three-tier national competition that receives more than 25,000 entries each year. Gold award winners at the local level advance to district competition, where entries from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas compete. Judges for the Northeast Arkansas competition are selected from outside the local market.

The Always Jonesboro campaign video was produced by Jonesboro Unlimited in partnership with local videographer Matthew Walton of M Walton Studio. The project earned Gold ADDYs for Integrated Branded Content Campaign, Internet Commercial, and Online Branded Content and Entertainment, along with Best of Show in the Integrated Branded Content Campaign category.

---

JONESBORO, AR – Jonesboro Unlimited (JU) was recognized with four top honors at the 2026 American Advertising Awards (ADDY) Gala in Paragould on February 27 for their Always Jonesboro initiative’s talent attraction campaign video. The event was hosted by the Northeast Arkansas chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF) and celebrates excellence in advertising and creative marketing across the region.

 

Awards received by Jonesboro Unlimited included three Gold ADDYs and Best of Show, the highest recognition awarded during the competition.  The awards recognized the campaign’s creative storytelling and digital content designed to highlight the quality of life, opportunities, and community assets that make Jonesboro an attractive place to live, work, and build a career.

“Winning three Gold ADDYs and Best of Show is an incredible honor, but more importantly it shows that the story of Jonesboro is resonating beyond our city,” said Bethania Baray-Harrison, Director of Talent Attraction at Jonesboro Unlimited. “Always Jonesboro was created to celebrate the people, energy, and opportunities that make this community special, and we’re proud to see that message recognized at this level.”

Conducted annually by the AAF, the local level of the American Advertising Awards is the first of a three-tier, national competition that receives over 25,000 submissions each year. Receiving gold awards now advances the Always Jonesboro video to the AAF district competition that includes works from the rest of Arkansas as well as Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas.  Judges for the NEA ADDY Awards are chosen from outside of the local market to ensure fair and unbiased evaluations.

The Always Jonesboro campaign video was produced by Jonesboro Unlimited in partnership with local videographer Matthew Walton of M Walton Studio, whose visual work helped capture the spirit of the community.  It can be viewed at https://youtu.be/HPY0eMuqRd0?si=t7NkIzQZFCZW7BO0

Awards received by Jonesboro Unlimited includes:

• GOLD – Integrated Branded Content Campaign

• GOLD – Internet Commercial

• GOLD – Online Branded Content & Entertainment

• BEST OF SHOW – Integrated Branded Content Campaign

About the American Advertising Federation (AAF):

Headquartered in Washington, DC, we are the “Unifying Voice for Advertising.” The AAF has more than150 local clubs across the U.S. representing nearly 35,000 advertising professionals, connecting and leading the industry.

About Jonesboro Unlimited (JU):

Jonesboro Unlimited, created in 1985, is a private partnership organization dedicated to the

advancement of economic prosperity in Jonesboro and the region.

About Always Jonesboro:

Always Jonesboro is an initiative of Jonesboro Unlimited focused on talent attraction and

community storytelling. Through digital media, partnerships, and community engagement, the

initiative highlights the lifestyle, career opportunities, and cultural assets that make Jonesboro a

compelling place to call home.