Two of Jamaica’s beloved beverage brands, Malta and Rum Stripe, have earned recognition at this year’s American Advertising Awards (ADDYs), Caribbean Region, highlighting the strength of Caribbean creativity on an international stage.

The American Advertising Federation’s American Advertising Awards (ADDY) is the advertising industry’s largest three-tier competition (local, district, and national), conducted annually to recognise creative excellence across all media types. The programme attracts more than 35,000 professional and student entries each year. Gold ADDYs represent superior quality, while Silver denotes outstanding work. Entries are judged by leading creative professionals from across the United States, making the awards among the industry’s most prestigious recognitions and a powerful endorsement of the creativity and strategic thinking behind the campaigns. 

Within that context, regional recognition serves as an important benchmark, positioning Caribbean work within a wider global standard of creative excellence. This points to an industry that is evolving, one that is increasingly producing work capable of resonating not only with local audiences, but with international juries and markets. Malta secured double recognition for its resonating campaign, “The Good You Give,” earning Silver ADDY Awards in two categories: CSR Online/Interactive – Single and CSR Film/Video/Sound Audio/Visual

Malta’s “The Good You Give” campaign has been widely praised for its authentic storytelling, highlighting the everyday ways individuals contribute positively to their communities. Through a mix of compelling visuals, digital engagement, and emotionally resonant narratives, the campaign captured the spirit of generosity and encouragement that the Malta brand continues to champion.

Rum Stripe also captured a Silver ADDY for its visually dynamic campaign, “Spark the Rumvolution,” in the category: Animation, SFX, Motion Graphics

Rum Stripe’s “Spark the Rumvolution” campaign stood out for its bold animation and striking motion graphics, bringing the brand’s vibrant personality to life through visually engaging storytelling designed to captivate digital audiences.

“We’re incredibly proud to see ‘The Good You Give’ recognised at this level. This campaign is rooted in something very real: the everyday kindness and positive impact of our people. To have that story resonate beyond Jamaica and be acknowledged by the industry is truly special. It reinforces our commitment to creating work that not only connects, but uplifts,” said Malta brand manager, Arnaldo Martin.

Executive chairman at ADMark Arnold Foote, who is part of Malta’s advertising team, described the moment as one of pride for everyone involved.

“When we heard Malta’s name called, there was a real sense of pride in the room,” he shared. “It’s fantastic to see work that genuinely connects with people recognised at this level. Awards are wonderful, but the collaboration behind them is what truly matters. These belong to our team just as much as to the creative partners who helped bring the ideas to life.”

By placing real stories and meaningful connections at the centre of the work, the campaign successfully translated Malta’s longstanding message of positivity into a modern, multi-platform experience that resonated strongly with audiences.

Together, the wins reflect the growing impact of Caribbean creativity and the power of collaboration between brands and creative partners to produce work that resonates locally and earns recognition on the global stage.

The brands plan to celebrate and further amplify the recognition in the coming weeks. For now, the focus remains on honouring the creativity, collaboration, and thinking that made the achievement possible.