Students Win AAF Creative Competition

University students win the NEPA American Advertising Federation 2024 Cropped challenge after developing creative campaign concepts for a local nonprofit organization.
Student and professional winners standing in front of a presentation that says "Cropped Live"
A team of four University students worked with professionals from Posture Interactive to develop rebranding concepts for a local nonprofit organization. From left are Kathryn Bondi, adjunct Department of Communication and Media faculty member and Creative Director of Posture Interactive, Vincenzo J. Angeloni ‘27, Cameron J. Moczulski ’26, Morgan T. Masters ’27, Tatiana L. Baide Franco ’26 and Joey Zarcone, Vice President of Posture Interactive.

By: Elizabeth Vander Neut '26, student correspondent

A team of four students from The University of Scranton won the NEPA American Advertising Federation (AAF) 2024 Cropped challenge, the third time that University students have been on the winning team.

The University hosted the event on Oct. 10, with eight total participants and 16 attendees. Much like the Food Network show “Chopped,” four teams of local creatives were assembled to compete against each other in three rounds of advertising campaign creation for local nonprofit organizations.

Team members are Vincenzo J. Angeloni ‘27, Tatiana L. Baide Franco ’26, Morgan T. Masters ’27 and Cameron J. Moczulski ’26. The team worked with professionals from Posture Interactive to develop rebranding concepts for the Willow Foundation’s Heartwood Center, a resource hub. The center aims to fulfill the unmet need for a day shelter/drop-in center for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in the Greater Hazleton Area.

"I think it is so important to give back to the community, and we all need a guiding light.- Morgan Masters, sophomore production and journalism major at The University of Scranton

Morgan Masters, a sophomore production and journalism major, said that for her, the most rewarding aspect of this competition was the opportunity to make a meaningful impact and support the Willow Foundation's mission. "I think it is so important to give back to the community, and we all need a guiding light. No one deserves to go through anything alone," she said.

Independent Graphics Inc. presented the competition and representatives from Coal Creative and NEPA’rogi judged each team’s logo, copywriting and creative execution concepts. After each round, one team was eliminated or “cropped.”

The team will work with the nonprofit to finalize their rebranding and create real-life campaign elements to be presented at the annual AAF holiday party in December.

"No one deserves to go through anything alone, and my team can now volunteer our time and resources to help all of NEPA with this campaign," Masters said.

Students seated at tables and rows of chairs in event space
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