Meet the Winners of the 2026 Best of the West Media Awards
Every great community has storytellers, journalists, communicators and creative professionals working behind the scenes to inform, educate, entertain and inspire. Each year, the AAF Western Region Best of the West Media Awards recognize those individuals and organizations whose work sets the standard for excellence throughout the western United States.
The 2026 competition brought together outstanding entries from media organizations, advertising agencies, government communicators, independent creators, students and marketing professionals representing communities large and small across the region. Designed to ensure organizations compete among peers of similar size, the Best of the West Media Awards celebrate excellence wherever it exists, from major metropolitan markets to rural communities making an extraordinary impact.
This year’s winners represent the very best in creativity, innovation, journalism, public service and communications leadership.
Western Region Pace Award
The Western Region Pace Award is the highest volunteer honor presented by the AAF Western Region. It celebrates individuals whose long-term service, mentorship, vision, and unwavering dedication have left an indelible mark on our industry and communities — embodying the very spirit and integrity that Tim brought to our organization throughout his life.
2026 Recipient: Rik Shiki
Rik Shiiki is the 2026 recipient of the Western Region Pace Award. With more than four decades of service, Rik has led at every level of the federation, including Chair of the AAF Western Region and Chair of the AAF Council of Governors.
A true builder, Rik helped launch the very first AAF Western Region “Best of the West” program, established the District XI Student Ambassador Program, and shaped the Club Development Fund to keep local chapters strong. A recipient of the prestigious Barton A. Cummings Gold Medal, Rik’s legacy is one of mentorship, structural leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the people and communities that make the Western Region thrive. We are honored to celebrate him in Los Angeles this September.
2026 Best of the West Media Award Winners
One of this year’s most inspiring recipients was Reframing Rural, named Blog/Podcast of the Year.
“When I started Reframing Rural in 2019, I was a team of one. Today, we’re a team of five storytellers, journalists and musicians working together to create in-depth, narrative-driven podcasts that challenge the narrative of rural decline, despair and disinvestment. Being named Blog/Podcast of the Year by the Best of the West Media Awards recognizes the countless late nights spent editing, the thousands of miles traveled across the rural West, and, most importantly, the invaluable relationships we’ve built with the people who’ve so generously shared their stories with us along the way.”
— Megan Torgerson, Founder & Producer, Reframing Rural
This year’s competition also recognized organizations making a remarkable impact across multiple categories. Drake Cooper earned multiple honors for agency and media excellence, while the Arizona Department of Health Services received recognition for both Government Media Outlet of the Year and its award-winning Radon Awareness & Education Campaign.
2026 Award Winners
- Advertising Agency of the Year ($10–50 Million): Drake Cooper
- Advertising Agency of the Year (Under $10 Million): Neon Pig Creative
- Agency Professional of the Year: Laura Schnarr
- Student Media Representative of the Year: Julia Boboc
- Blog/Podcast of the Year: Reframing Rural
- Government Media Outlet of the Year: Arizona Department of Health Services
- Locally Produced Radio or Television Show of the Year: MedWatch Today
- Magazine of the Year: Edible Reno-Tahoe
- Media Agency of the Year ($50 Million+): Vision Media
- Media Agency of the Year ($10–50 Million): Drake Cooper
- Media Agency of the Year (Under $10 Million): CCMedia
- Media Professional of the Year: Liesl Doggett
- Media Talent of the Year: James Patrick
- Public Service Campaign or Event of the Year: Radon Awareness & Education Campaign
- Website of the Year: Colorado Springs Sports Corp
- Young Achiever Award: Nolan Havig
The AAF Western Region congratulates every nominee, finalist and winner whose work continues to strengthen the advertising, media and communications professions throughout the West. Thank you to this year’s judges for their time, expertise and commitment to recognizing excellence across our industry.
We look forward to celebrating these outstanding recipients during AdWest 2026 and to another year of honoring the professionals whose creativity, service and leadership continue to shape our communities.
Join Us in Los Angeles!
We invite all winners, nominees, and industry professionals to celebrate these incredible achievements in person. Trophies will be awarded and our community honored at the AdWest Conference.
- 📅 Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
- 📍 Location: Los Angeles, CA
- 🎟️ Register Here: https://www.aafdistrict15.org/adwest-2026
Congratulations to all of our 2026 winners! Your work inspires us and strengthens the fabric of the Western U.S. media community.
