Group 5 today launched the first redesign of our website since 2005 – an eternity in Internet terms. And while it took some time for us to get around to it, we did so in style.

Art Director, Selena Carter, Graphic Artist, Teresa Cocherell and Web Wizard, Dru Martin, put their heads together to create a dynamic new look and feel and incorporated new features visitors will enjoy.

Among the additions are a live stream of our Twitter updates, links to connect with Group 5’s social media resources, an expanded portfolio section including campaign case studies, a news and blog page and other fun little add-ons to find as you peruse the site.

Much of the credit for the new site belongs to Dru, who spent hours upon hours staring at thousands of lines of code. His integration into the Group 5 team provides us exceptional in-house web development capabilities, delivering state-of-the-art sites for existing and new clients alike.

The new Group5Advertising.com is sleek, innovative, creative and fun - just like us, and that’s the way it should be.

AAF is the “Voice of Advertising,” representing over 50,000 members in local chapters nationwide. Suzanne is a past-President of Gainesville’s chapter as is Group 5 Creative Director, Damion Wasylow.

This year’s conference theme, “Ideas at Work,” highlighted industry developments that shape how we do business. Topics included media trends, the economics of creativity and, of course, the ever-growing presence of social media.

The conference isn’t all work and no play. Between workshops and volunteering, Suzanne and Melissa found time to hob-knob with some of advertising’s best and brightest and even spent an hour or two poolside before donning their four-inch heels to attend the conference’s signature event – the AAF National ADDY Awards Gala.

The ADDY Awards are a three-tiered competition, with winners at the local and District levels advancing here. It is widely regarded as the industry’s most prestigious creative award. Winning campaigns display unique concepts and flawless executions. No one ever walks away uninspired, including our Groupers.

“It really was a fantastic event. Makes you want to go straight back to the office and get to work on new stuff,” says Melissa.


Suzanne adds, “no matter how long you’ve been in advertising, there are always new and exciting things to take on, invent and reinvent.”

The competition, sponsored by the American Advertising Federation, is three-tiered, with local winners advancing to compete against winners from throughout Florida and the Caribbean and those winners proceeding to compete against others from across the U.S. The ADDY is inarguably the nation’s premier advertising industry award.

This year, Gainesville’s gala theme was a digital derivation of “Alice in Wonderland,” with the Mad Hatter, Red Queen and Tweedle brothers playing integral roles in the evening’s entertainment. The real stars of the show, however, were the ADDY Awards themselves.

Group 5 received awards for projects created for Haven Hospice, Cox Florida, University Athletic Association, Studio 601, Play Action Sports, City of Gainesville Regional Transit System, Florida Animal Friend and Alachua County Office of Waste Alternatives. In addition to these Gold and Silver ADDY Awards, the Gainesville Clean Water Partnership’s “Scoop the Poop” posters were recognized as Best of Show in Public Service.

Stay tuned to find out if any of these projects win awards at the next level as well!

The Silver Medal recognizes those who make outstanding contributions to furthering advertising industry standards, contribute to creative excellence and demonstrate responsibility in areas of social concern. It is the highest honor a local chapter of the American Advertising Federation can bestow.

In addition to her professional impact on our local advertising community – over 20 years serving clients and leading some of our market’s most successful campaigns, Suzanne has worked tirelessly to promote the Advertising Federation of Gainesville. She served on the Board for several years and as President in 2006. Suzanne’s true passion, however, is demonstrated through the public service and health education initiatives she oversees and the charitable endeavors she supports.

Suzanne was just the tenth person to ever receive the Silver Medal in Gainesville and the second Group 5 team member, joining Creative Director, Damion Wasylow, who received his Silver Medal in 2008.