Prestigious AMA Sandie Awards 2025 Celebrate InnoVision Marketing Group’s Excellence in Marketing

InnoVision’s strategic and creative leadership recognized across branding, public relations and influencer divisions — marking a milestone year for the Anti-Agency®

SAN DIEGO — May 30, 2025 — Last week at the 2025 AMA Sandie Awards, InnoVision Marketing Group (IMG) proved once again why it’s known as the Anti-Agency®. Named as a finalist in seven nominations across six competitive categories, the full-service marketing agency walked away with five awards — including three Golds, one Silver and one Bronze — marking a night of firsts, milestones and major recognition for IMG. The wins spanned branding, public relations, influencer marketing and individual leadership, showcasing the breadth and depth of InnoVision’s creative capabilities.

Leading the night’s honors for IMG was Senior Vice President and General Manager Alanna Markey, who was named Marketer of the Year. A driving force behind the agency’s growth and success, Markey has been instrumental in championing bold strategies and mentoring rising talent while fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.

“I’m so honored to receive this recognition, but this award truly belongs to the team,” said Markey. “Every win we celebrated last week came from a place of passion, creativity and commitment to doing great work together. That’s what makes this so meaningful.”

Among the three Golds awarded to IMG was Best Branding Campaign for “Buddy’s bar-b-q: A Smokin’ Good Deal™.” The campaign, created by Ric Militi, CEO and Executive Creative Director, alongside Giselle Campos, Senior Vice President and Senior Creative Director, reintroduced the legacy bar-b-q chain to a modern audience with a fresh, flavorful identity that honored its Southern roots. From a bold new tagline to revamped messaging and store visuals, the branding work helped reignite brand loyalty for Buddy’s and sparked new interest from potential franchisees across the Southeast.

“We’re so thankful for our partnership and proud that Buddy’s bar-b-q brought home the Gold. Exciting times ahead!” said Mark Lemoncelli, Owner and CEO of Buddy’s bar-b-q.

The agency also celebrated standout recognition for two of its fastest-growing divisions. In the Best Public Relations Campaign category, IMG was honored for its work on the Amerigo Vespucci World Tour: Los Angeles Docking. The campaign turned the arrival of the historic Italian naval ship into a high-impact media moment, generating extensive local and national coverage, managing press tours and telling a compelling cultural story. The award reflects the strength of InnoVision’s PR division, led by Karla Nafarrate, Vice President of Public Relations, and its growing role as a trusted driver of earned media and brand storytelling.

Recognition also came for InnoVision Influencer Marketing, launched in 2024 to meet the rising demand for creator-led content. Under the leadership of Giselle Campos, the team earned a Silver Award for its campaign with Huey Magoo’s, where local digital creators helped generate buzz and drive traffic through authentic, high-impact content. A Bronze followed for the influencer extension of the Amerigo Vespucci campaign, where digital storytelling brought maritime history to life on modern platforms. These honors mark a strong start for the division and its emerging impact within the agency’s integrated marketing strategy.

“These wins are more than accolades — they’re proof of what happens when strategy, creativity and culture come together with purpose,” shared Militi. “From first-time divisions earning top honors to one of our own being named Marketer of the Year, this moment is a tribute to the team’s dedication and creativity. It’s the power of the Anti-Agency® in action.”