- The DC Ad Club issued a call for entries for its 2009 ADDY Awards – the first step in the American Advertising Federation's three-tiered national competition. Winners from the local level compete in District 2 (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and DC); those winners go on to compete in the AAF national competition. With over 60,000 entries nationwide, the ADDY Awards are the world's largest and arguably toughest advertising competition. The ADDYs represent the true spirit of creative excellence by recognizing all forms of advertising from media of all types, creative by all sizes and entrants of all levels from anywhere in the world. It is the only creative awards program administered by the advertising industry for the industry. The DC Ad Club's early deadline for entries is Dec 19, with the late deadline, Jan 9, 2009.
- The Washington office of Arnold Worldwide has moved to Arlington from McLean. The new facility, shown above, features 25-foot ceilings; a wrap-around, open second level; an ever-changing 18-foot-wide video in the reception area; and European-style benching systems for all 115 staff – including the executives. The ground-level space with floor-to-ceiling windows are designed to foster a feeling of being truly integrated with the surrounding community.
- RTC Relationship Marketing is opening a new Georgetown office. With seven satellite offices spread across Georgetown, the 215-person D.C.-based marketing agency hired the HOK architecture firm to design an open-air interior on two floors of Georgetown’s historic Foundry Building at 1055 Thomas Jefferson St. NW. A large, open central staircase serves as the architectural focal point, bringing the previously scattered staff into a more team-like setting.
- Silicon Valley-based Google has had the official opening event for its office in Reston that will focus on the federal government, reports the Potomac Tech Wire. According to PTW, Vint Cerf, Google’s “chief Internet evangelist” who is widely known as the creator of the Internet, will co-manage the office with Mike Bradshaw, head of Google’s government sales. The 15,000-square-foot office, which has been used since August, currently has 30 full-time employees. In addition to the Reston office, Google has a public affairs office in DC.