Three Hawaii-based advertising industry businesses have made the "finalist" cut for the upcoming national American Advertising Federation ADDY Awards.

Their work already won Pele Awards, the regional ADDY for the state, comprising AAF’s District 13.

All Pele-winning work is automatically entered into national contention, along with regional ADDY winners from around the country.

Wall-to-Wall Studios is in the running with its television commercial titled "Not Another Drop," prepared for Hawaii Energy.

Hana Hou! magazine’s "Life in a Microcosm" entry, prepared by photographer David Liittschwager for Hawaiian Airlines, is being considered for an award in the photography campaign — digitally enhanced category.

Also, work by Davo Coria of DP Music for the Hawaii International Film Festival trailer, prepared for the OrangRoc ad agency, is up for a sound design ADDY.

The June 4 national ADDY gala will be part of the AAF annual conference at which Ad 2 Honolulu, the ad club for young professionals, also will compete for national pro-bono campaign glory.

Students going, too

A team of Communications Department students from Chaminade University has again won the Hawaii regional portion of the National Student Advertising Competition and also will be going to the big dance.

Dubbed the AdVta Agency, the team will be led by department head Cliff Bieberly at the nationals in San Diego June 2 and 3.

Ironically, this year’s competition case assignment was to develop a $100 million proposal for J.C. Penney, a retailer that pulled out of Hawaii years ago.

Presenters for the regional competition were Chris Amarillas, Will Daniels, Daniel Helsham, Lindsey Mountain and Brittany Rought, but the team also comprises Ravon Simone Crawford, Erica Gaines, Kelly Korras, Angel Orozco, Shannon Sadler, Jena Stomber and Jordan Wong.

The team will use the intervening time to rehearse its presentation and get ready for "an intense Q&A session," Bieberly said. "It’s a great opportunity. Making it to the national finals means the students will have a chance to meet recruiters and network with professionals from all over the country."

number crunch

If delving into census numbers seems boring, please skip ahead, but if the word "census" equals crucial demographics to you, you will want to know about Tuesday’s 11:30 a.m. talk by Heberto Gutierrez at the Anthology Marketing Group amphitheatre. The founder of Texas-based research firm Inventiva Inc. will delve into the 2010 U.S. census and how the data can help advertising clients and the ad-selling folks who love them.

Designs on growth

This week’s opening of the bricks-and-mortar version of Cathy’s Marketplace at 1110 University Ave. in the old First Hawaiian Bank has expanded the interior design empire of Cathy Lee, Lissa Rodrigues and Kara Wagner.

The business had been heretofore virtual, run online and through Lee’s seminars.

Colleague Nadine Kam blogged about the pre-opening benefit, as did Lee, and online pictures display a range of the styles of furnishings and accessories — not to mention the drool-worthy food served at the benefit. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

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Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Advertiser. Reach her by email at erika@staradvertiser.com.