Ad 2 Tampa Bay’s immediate past president, Kate Whatley, received the 2009 Pinstripe Service Excellence Award at the American Advertising Federation – Tampa Bay Chapter’s ADDY Awards held on February 11 at the historic Tampa Theatre. Presented annually, the award recognizes the Ad 2 member who demonstrates the most outstanding contributions to the organization.
Whatley joined Ad 2 Tampa Bay in 2006 and immediately took on a leadership role. She has served as Student ADDY Chair, Education Director, and as president of the organization for the 2008-09 chapter year. During her tenure as president, Whatley challenged the organization to increase its commitment to education, particularly with the local colleges, universities and art schools, encouraging young talent to get involved in the trade association and to enter their work in the ADDYs. She also worked to improve the chapter’s public service initiative, which included the development of a comprehensive pro bono advertising campaign for One Here One There. For those and many other accomplishments, her efforts were recognized by the American Advertising Federation when she was named National Ad 2 President of the Year at the organization’s annual conference in Washington D.C. last June.
Whatley has also won numerous ADDY awards as an art director, has been recognized as a Rising Star by tbt* Tampa Bay Times, is a successful artist, and is an active alumnus of the International Academy of Design and Technology, where she was named Community Partner of the Year and delivered the commencement address in 2008.
“Kate’s contributions to Ad 2 Tampa Bay have been immeasurable,” said Ginger Reichl, president of Pinstripe Marketing and former Ad 2 president. “Her focus on education, public service, and providing better programs and more leadership opportunities for members made her the obvious choice for this award.”
Whatley is an account planner for Social Forces in Tampa, Florida.
