YOUNGSTOWN - Clever, a business based in Youngstown, won seven awards at the 2026 AAF Akron American Advertising Awards in February.

The American Advertising Awards is the advertising industry's biggest competition, bringing in more than 25 thousand entries annually. This year, 158 businesses competed for the Akron area awards. It aims to "recognize and reward the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising," a release states.

Clever is a full-service marketing agency that offers services such as branding, website development, social media, marketing strategies and more.

According to the release, Clever took home more awards than any other business from the Mahoning or Shenango Valleys, including two Judge's Choice Awards at the event on February 27.

The first Judge Choice Award was for Clever's photography at the Blind Bear restaurant in Youngstown, the second was for Clever's packaging design for a product from Ploom Supps, based in Cortland.

"We are blown away by the response to our work at this year's AAF Akron American Advertising Awards. To receive not just one, but two Judge's Choice Awards is an incredible honor," said Adrienne Sabo, the Founder and Creative Director of Clever.

Additionally, Clever's creative team took home two Gold Addy's for packaging design and photography for Ploom Supps, and a Silver Addy's for illustrations for Ploom Supps, online & interactive for Barry Dyngle's website design and packaging design for a Ploom Supps product.

"This year's awards highlight not only the exceptional creativity of our team, but also the variety of ways in which we bring that creativity to life through various marketing tactics," said Clever's Founder and Designer Whitney Burd.