Mouth of the South

Every year, the American Advertising Federation 7th District has a very important competition in July called "Mouth of the South." Actually, it's a "lip-sinc" competition that they take very seriously. The teams spend a lot of time selecting songs, choreographing, costuming . . . keeping each AAF club's songs and plans a secret until the night of competition.

Dothan's AAF club entered the competition for the first time last year, but we didn't place. So this year, we enlisted the assistance of choreographer extraordinaire Ron DeVane to help us with our skit with a 1974 theme. As this year's president of AAF-Dothan, I felt it was my duty and obligation to assist my team of board members Kerry Farrell, Gina Burdeshaw and Patrick Liester in our quest for that elusive trophy. Competition's tough! Some teams have 15 or more members and are much larger than our club.

But this year, we brought home 3rd place! That was from 11 teams that entered! We were very proud of ourselves and had a lot of fun in the process with practices! Kerry and I braved tickly mustaches, twirling nightsticks and having to walk through the hotel lobby wearing police gear -- but that's nothing to what Patrick and Gina had to do with Gina dressed as a teenager and Patrick as a 70's lounge act with a "fro"! But our selfless obligation to upholding AAF-Dothan's honor was a success!

Thanks to everyone who helped! We may look ridiculous -- but it was so much fun!

But it all wasn't just fun and games! We also attended many meetings and workshops that will help us to benefit our club -- and got to meet "Scott the Nametag Guy" (that's Scott in the middle) who spoke to the group about branding. I would say all around it was a good weekend!