The American Advertising Awards are the advertising industry's largest and most representative competition, recognizing creative excellence and the very best advertising both in local competitions and nationwide. Also known as the ADDY's, the American Advertising Awards are sponsored by the American Advertising Federation and represent the true creative spirit of advertising by recognizing all forms of advertising, from all types of media, created by all sizes and types of entrants, from anywhere in the country. There are now over 40,000 total entries.

The American Advertising Awards are unique among all advertising creative competitions. It is the only competition that includes three rigorous levels of judging. Entries are first judged at a local level through competitions organized by more than 200 ad clubs affiliated with the AAF. Local winners then advance to 14 regional competitions. Finally, regional winners advance to the national finals. Awards are given to winners at all three levels of the competition: locally, district wide and nationally.

Winners from the Bakersfield competition will move on to the district competition, covering all of Southern California and Southern Nevada for the right to compete against the best work from throught the nation.