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The San Antonio chapter of the American Advertising Federation recently recognized local winners of the ADDY Awards, the advertising industry's equivalent of the Grammys, Oscars or Emmys.

The winners were honored at a Pee-wee's Playhouse-themed ceremony at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, with 222 gold, silver and bronze awards presented to advertising agencies in 90 categories.

Among the winners were Bromley Communications for its promotion of clients including Burger King Corp., Coors Brewing Co., Continental Airlines and the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau; Garcia 360 for clients including Dial Corp., Transamerica Insurance and the nonprofit youth arts program SAY sí; and Pacer for clients including Mitsubishi and Nationwide Insurance. The San Antonio Express-News, Conexión and several local students also took home awards.

"The number of agencies in town that are doing work for big international brands is really amazing," said Dean Aitken, award chairman, vice president of the San Antonio Advertising Federation and vice president of marketing for the San Antonio Express-News.

"You're seeing big-name brands you don't normally see at a local competition and a quality of work that's higher than you'd normally see."

The competition is the first of two on the road to the federation's national contest. Winners of gold awards go on to a regional competition, and winners of that contest will advance to the nationals.