#Doritos #Goodby Silverstein #AAF Awards

Goodby Silverstein & Partners Takes Home 'Best of Show' Again

In a shining moment for creative advertising, Goodby Silverstein & Partners (GS&P) has clinched the coveted 'Best of Show' title for the second year in a row at the 2026 American Advertising Awards. The winning campaign, crafted for Doritos/PepsiCo, is titled 'Telethon for Hawkins' and has been distinguished for its inventive approach to branded content in the advertising landscape.

The announcement was made at the National Gala Awards Ceremony during AAF's annual ADMERICA conference, held in Austin, Texas. Hosted by Emmy-nominated personality Trish Suhr, the event highlighted the top tier of creative talent in the advertising realm and offered a platform for recognizing extraordinary work in the industry.

The Telethon for Hawkins Campaign

'Telethon for Hawkins' took inspiration from the nostalgic themes of the widely adored Netflix show, Stranger Things. The campaign artfully recreated a telethon for the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, as if it had aired in the year 1987. This engaging project was not just an advertisement; it was a full-fledged experience designed to immerse viewers in a shared memory. GS&P's creativity and strategic execution reflect its commitment to engaging storytelling that resonates with audiences, effectively reinforcing Doritos’ connection to beloved popular culture.

This marks an outstanding achievement for GS&P, reinforcing its reputation in the advertising community. This year’s awards showcased the intense competition within the advertising space, with the AAF noting that less than 50 national professional Gold ADDYs were awarded—an indication of the high standard and selective nature of the judging process.

A Celebration of Excellence

In addition to GS&P's success, the evening also honored a student campaign, 'NPC's for NPC' by Miami Ad School's Saul Birmaher, which won 'Best of Show' in the student division. This dual recognition reflects the spectrum of creativity being explored in advertising today, from established agencies to up-and-coming talent.

Dawn Reeves, Executive VP of Membership and Programs at AAF, stated, *