The Bruce Foods “Yam Right Holiday” television spot, part of the “Yam Right” campaign for Bruce’s Yams, was one of the award-winners. The other winning spot was “We’re Coming,” a television commercial announcing new franchise locations for The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint, A Family Food Drinkery. Both of these spots highlighted the creativity, production value, and energy Mad Genius poured in to the projects, helping celebrate each client and their message in a unique way.

From the Telly Awards website: The Telly Awards honor the very best local, regional, and cable television commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions, and work created for the Web. Since 1978, our mission has been to strengthen the visual arts community by inspiring, promoting, and supporting creativity. The 31st Annual Telly Awards received over 13,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents.

Mad Genius is a full-service creative agency. Headquartered in Ridgeland, Mississippi, with an additional location in Tampa, Florida, the company is known for going far beyond the limits of most firms, tackling all facets of brand strategy, design, advertising, comprehensive web and interactive development, scripting, media placement and marketing, as well as high-end animation, filming, and multimedia production. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/madgsocial, or follow us on Twitter @madgsocial.

At the 2011 Jackson Advertising Federation ADDY Awards, the Mad Genius team truly proved that their creative fusion, energy, and collaboration with clients all add up to excellent responses. This year, Mad Genius brought home 15 Gold ADDY awards, 7 Silver ADDY awards, and three Best of Show Awards, including the coveted Overall Best of Show award. Mad Genius also received the humbling honor of the People’s Choice Award, voted on by fellow advertising professionals.

Mad Genius represents a wide range of clients. This year’s awards reflect not only the diversity of Mad Genius’ clients, but also the way that the Mad Genius team works with each client and finds an innovative way to best represent that particular client. This year’s Gold, Silver, and Best awards landed across a unique spectrum of clients.

The “Yam Right” campaign for Bruce Foods earned Gold awards in the categories of National Television Campaign, Music with Lyrics, Mixed Media-National Consumer, and Golds for three individual National TV Spots (“Healthy,” “Holiday,” and “Pancake”). The accompanying “Yam Right” website also earned a Silver ADDY. “Yam Right” also earned the Mad Genius team Best of Show for Broadcast, Best of Show Overall, and the People’s Choice Award.

Another client with multiple awards is The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint. Mad Genius’ work for The Shed earned two Gold awards for Special Effects (for TV commercials “We’re Coming” and “We’re Here”), another Gold for the “Adam’s Rib” print ad, and Silver awards for National Television Campaign, the “Classy” print ad, and Mixed Media Campaign.

Primos Hunting can also claim victories, with two Gold awards in the Packaging category, for the Primos XCam and the Primos XCam Blackout series.

One of Mad Genius’ very first clients was Mississippi College. This year, the innovative “Find Your Plus” campaign earned two Golds acknowledging the historic university’s modern approach: one for Local Television, and one for Mixed Media/Multimedia Campaign.

Mad Genius is particularly proud of the honors in the community service categories this year. The Genius team won ADDY Gold for a National Television spot for Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast (“Put Yourself in the Picture”). Mad Genius was also awarded a Gold ADDY for the Public Service Multimedia/Mixed Media Campaign for Heather’s Tree – which also went on to win the Best of Show for Community Service.

Silver awards were also presented to the Mad Genius team recognizing their work for Southern Farm Bureau (National Multimedia Campaign), Members Exchange Credit Union (Local Television), and Mad Genius’ own internal promotion (Genius Genre Generator).

The ADDY Awards represent the true spirit of creative excellence by recognizing all forms of advertising from media of all types. Hosted by the American Advertising Federation of Jackson, central Mississippi chapter of the American Advertising Federation, the 2011 ADDY Awards were held at The South, a trendy refurbished warehouse-turned-event-space in downtown Jackson.

The local ADDY Awards are the first tier in a national competition: all across the country, local entrants vie for recognition as the very best in their markets; local winners then compete against other winners in one of 14 District competitions; finally, district winners are forwarded to the third tier, the national ADDY Awards competition. It is the only creative awards program administered by the advertising industry, for the advertising industry.

Built in 1915, the exposed-brick warehouse-style building will be the latest addition to The Shed family of restaurants and will offer the Hattiesburg community the signature blend of brews, barbeque, and blues the restaurant is known for regionally and nationally.

Visit The Shed on the web at:http://www.theshedbbq.com

For more information, contact: Shawn Surbur, General Manager, 601.447.7839

9 - GETTING REAL WITH FARM BUREAU

We started the year off right: in January 2009, Mad Genius officially became the agency of record for ten Southern Farm Bureau Insurance states. It’s hard to believe it’s only been a year; in that time, the Genius has developed an Toolkit utilized by Farm Bureau agents throughout the region, created an eye-catching series of webisodes called “New to the Crew” at Joe Gibbs Racing, produced commercials such as Phone Tree and Call Center, developed campaign and promotional materials… and this is only the beginning.

8 – AN EMMY, SOME ADDIES, AND BEST OF JACKSONS… OH MY!

In 2009, it seemed like you couldn’t swing a lab coat anywhere in this office without hitting another award. We’re proud of our animator Wade Acuff, whose work on Between the Lions earned our team another Emmy. Between the Lions is produced in Mississippi, and the Eyevox (now Mad Genius) animation department plays a critical role in bringing the show to life. Mad Genius was also well-represented at the American Advertising Federation of Jackson’s annual awards program, the Addies, bringing home multiple awards, including a Gold Addy in the Interactive category, for our work on the MMI Hotel Group website. Oh yeah, and the Jackson Free Press also honored our minions with several awards: Beth Kander won Best Jackson Writer, Opie Cooper won Best Jackson Filmmaker, and Eyevox was named one of the metro area’s top locally-owned businesses. Not too shabby, Team Genius.

7 – A PRESIDENCY COMPLETED

2009 marks the completion of Mad Genius Chief Operating Officer Chip Sarver’s term as President of the Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is instrumental in keeping the Ridgeland business community strong, and Chip has been glad to serve… but the Genius knows the truth: Chip’s only completing his run as Chamber President so he can pursue his next title, President of Everything in This Universe and Six Others.

6 – COMING TOGETHER TO REMEMBER HEATHER

Some of the work we’re most proud of here at Mad Genius is when we partner with organizations working to make a difference. Heather’s T.R.E.E. was founded to honor the memory of Heather Spencer and eradicate domestic violence. Mad Genius designed the poster, VIP pass and press materials for the 2009 Heather’s T.R.E.E. “Soulshine” Memorial Concert, which was an important and touching tribute.

5 – DID YOU HEAR “Z” NEWS?

Z-Line Designs, one of the top five manufacturers of ready-to-assemble home office and entertainment furniture in the United States, selected Mad Genius to work on Z-Line brand strategy and interactive development. Z-Line Designs is based in San Ramon, California, and offers a broad range of furniture styles to suit a wide array of lifestyles. Z-Line Designs furniture is available through a number of online furniture retailers and major retail outlets, including Target, Wal-Mart, Office Max, Sears and Staples. Z-Line choosing Mad Genius is a win for Mississippi!

4 – IMAGINATION EDUCATION, INC.

Mad Genius has an arts and education initiative called Imagination Education, Inc. Though still brand-spankin’ new, Imagination Education took some giant steps this year. We were selected as a teaching artist group featured in the Mississippi Arts Commission Artist Roster, and were also chosen by Parents for Public Schools for inclusion in JumpstART. We’re working with Casey Elementary, we taught at Millsaps College for the second summer in a row, we served as instructors for the Canton Young Filmmakers Institute, and we’re working on launching several other projects, including Yeah, Write Whatever (a snarky project that tackles literacy through creative writing). We’re feeling the momentum – stay tuned for further ie developments!

3 – THE SHED GOES MAD!

Talk about rocking and rolling – Mad Genius recently became the agency of record for The Shed Barbeque and Blues Joint, a FamilyFoodDrinkery.™  Headquartered in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, with franchises expanding throughout Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Texas, The Shed serves a full-scale barbeque menu in their unique, fun-loving restaurant environment. Named one of the Top Forty Fastest Growing Businesses in the State of Mississippi by the Mississippi Business Journal in 2008, The Shed is a regular award winner at the Memphis in May International Festival’s World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, and has been featured on Live! with Regis and Kelly and Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on The Food Network. Now, The Shed’s gone Mad… and the Genius loves getting Saucy with The Shed!

2 – RICK MOORE NAMED SMALL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR

We were busting our buttons* when CEO Rick Moore was named Mississippi’s Small Businessperson of the Year by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Rick traveled to DC for Small Business Week, convening with other statewide SBA award winners. We think Rick himself put it best: “It’s both humbling and inspiring to represent my home state, and show the rest of the nation that even in this troubled economy, there is positive, innovative work happening right here in Mississippi.” Well said, Rick. We hereby name you Genius of the Year, too. For good measure.

1 – THE MERGER: EV f/v + MG a/c = Creative Fusion

And of course, the biggest event of 2009: Mad Genius’ merger with Eyevox Film and Video Production. In the summer of 2009, these two innovative companies became one media powerhouse, under the single name Mad Genius. Being able to offer start-to-finish creative and promotional services, as well as a signature style of outside-the-box-thinking, makes Mad Genius a regional standout. Since the merger, we’ve made great strides. We were excited to launch our swanky new logo, and also launched our all new website, complete with a virtual portfolio, client testimonials, an introduction to some of the Genius’ minions, and more.

So there you have it. It’s been quite a year. But we’re even more excited for what 2010 has in store. From all of us to all of you … have a Genius New Year!

Team Mad Genius received a warm welcome when several MG minions traveled down to visit the good people of The Shed in Ocean Springs.

We think these pictures speak for themselves … but just to make it clear: The Mad Genius is officially a ShedHed… and The Shed’s Gone Mad!

Headquartered in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, with franchises expanding throughout Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Texas, The Shed serves a full-scale barbeque menu in their unique, fun-loving restaurant environment. The Shed also offers catering for special events of any size. Devoted customers, lovingly called ShedHeds, will be excited to know that as The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint expands, more people will be able to have the opportunity to “Get Fed at The Shed.”

Named one of the Top Forty Fastest Growing Businesses in the State of Mississippi by the Mississippi Business Journal in 2008, The Shed is a regular award winner at the Memphis in May International Festival’s World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, and has been featured on both Live! with Regis and Kelly and Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on The Food Network.

For more information contact:
Beth Kander
601.605.6234