I always have.

Ever since I was a kid, I never understood the need for people to compete for awards. I always thought that if you did something really well people would just notice that you do something really well. Without having to dole out ribbons or trophies or well-publicized and oft-not heartfelt congratulations. Especially when it’s something that’s actually your job. Like acting. Or making ads. Have you ever heard of a plumber’s award? Or a certified public accountant’s award? I haven’t either. But somehow in my world-is-an-incredibly-fair-place-grossly-naive-little-mind, I simply believed that people who are good at what they do would be wildly successful because others would flock to them. Not due to manufactured admiration but because they have something valuable to share with others.

So, why am I telling you this?

The San Diego Addy Awards. Last friday. Yes, we entered them. Yes, we did well – thirteen Addys and nine People’s Choice – mostly bronze, one silver. And to this very second, I am still conflicted about how I feel about them. The judges, Steve Mapp from Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners, Michael Buss from Mullen, and Matt Beshear from Apollo Interactive are some of the most respected guys in the advertising industry. But most of all, they’re all decent people who judged the San Diego advertising bonanza because they care about the quality of the work. No matter who or where it comes from. And they believe that good work is valuable and should be shared with others. At the awards show, I got to see great work from Shilo and had the pleasure of hanging with them afterwards. We shared a table and a laugh with Mindgruve. And we all saw a whole bunch of new work from people we know and many we didn’t.

So, do I still hate award shows? Maybe not as much. Will we enter the Addys again? Of course. But to me, the most important part will always be opportunity to share what we do with others and let the awards fall where they may.

Especially if it’s a stinkin’ gold statue falling right into our trophy case.