The coveted Cannonball in RVA has become a symbol of exceptional work to those in the advertising space. Each year the Richmond Ad Club doles out this local advertising award to agencies and individuals who are creative, inspiring, and passionate. And most of all, those who get results.

Each year, the Richmond Ad Club uses the Richmond Show, also called the RAD Show, to hand out these awards, which celebrate the work of its peers. The club, which was founded in 1960, is known for hosting a variety of events to unite the ad community and encourage creativity in the region.

Taking home the top honor at this year’s event was Ken Wayland, president and co-founder of Free Agents Marketing. Wayland was presented with the Mike Hughes Award for Ad Person of the Year. The award was renamed this year for Hughes, an advertising legend at The Martin Agency, who died in December.

A 25-year veteran of all things advertising, Wayland founded Free Agents Marketing with four employees in 2001. Today his firm is 45 teammates strong and counts Bon Secours among its many healthcare clients. During his acceptance speech, Wayland referenced a list of priorities that he learned from his father called the “Fab Five,” which he described as family, friends, faith, fitness, and fun.

Other winners included The Martin Agency, which took home Best in Show in Advertising for its “Bedtime” spot for Oreo and Best in Show in Production for its Oreo “Wonderfilled” anthem. Matt Reamer, Berwyn Hung, and Jeff MacDonald of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Brandcenter were honored for their Conductive Skate Photography micro-site. In addition, Jeff Rozman, a student at the Brandcenter, received the Harry Jacobs Scholarship for his “Get Smart. Think with your stomach” campaign.

The Richmond Show also provided an opportunity for the Richmond Ad Club to announce that long-time board member Jason St. Peter would be taking over as the new president of the outfit. After serving in the Army and Air Force, St. Peter logged in time at Circuit City and MBM Marketing before launching his own design firm, Think 804, in 2009.

For more about the Richmond Ad Club, visit richmondadclub.com or join Ad Club members during the last Thursday of each month for the club’s Happy Hour.