American Advertising Awards

Jenn State, Black Tie Creatives

The Emerging Advertising Leader of the Year award is presented to young professional men and women who are making outstanding contributions to marketing, advertising, design, and/or communication.

Even before graduating from Grand View University, Jenn was achieving her advertising goals by co-founding Black Tie Creatives. What began as a side-hustle for logo and web work, quickly grew into a little creative powerhouse. Jenn’s digital and design expertise helped Black Tie Creatives launch cutting-edge brands like MedPharm Iowa, Ricochet, Bâton Global, and H&K Manufacturing. At the same time, the team worked with some of Iowa’s most famous companies, including Kemin, Drake University, and Above & Beyond Cancer. Perhaps most notably, though, was her work for the Prime Minister of Dubai. (Yes. You heard that right.)

Never one to sit still for long (just ask her dog, Frankie,) Jenn kicked off her formal agency career at Performance Marketing in 2012. In her five years there, she developed work that moved the needle for Honeywell, U.S. Bank, and Toro. She was also an integral member of the team that launched the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundations’ first app, Iowa By Trail, which won numerous awards. Her experience at Performance Marketing also helped her further develop her creative and design skills for future leadership roles.

Speaking of leadership, Jenn joined the Art Directors Association of Iowa (ADAI) in 2015. At the time, membership was dwindling. But true to form, Jenn put her ambition to work to help the non-profit. She took on the role of President, volunteered to assemble a group of eager designers for committees—and together, they revitalized the organization and their (now famous) Annual Award Exhibition. During her time on the board, ADAI membership grew exponentially and has had great success connecting students to professionals. Jenn continues to push the boundaries of the organization to keep Iowa designers connected and recognized.

In 2016 Jenn made a pivotal career transition to become Director of Digital Design and Photography at Red Dot Advertising + Design, and the unofficial leader of the Red Dot breakfast pizza initiative. She made an immediate impact at Red Dot launching buzzworthy brands like JR’s SouthPork Ranch at the Iowa State Fair, creating campaigns for community betterment like the City of West Des Moines Five Waters Project, and helping to keep history alive with a new brand for The West Des Moines Historical Society and Jordan House museum. She’s also built brands from behind her camera (often standing in chicken coops or sorority house kitchens) doing photo shoots for Kent Feeds, Greek House Chefs, YSS, and many more.

Today Jenn continues to apply her expertise in web and print design to extend brands across online and offline channels seamlessly, earning local and national recognition from various organizations. Fueled by her passion for design and sense of adventure—go ahead, ask her about all of the places she’s traveled—Jenn inspires fellow designers and creative team members both personally and professionally.

Jenny Cross, TwoTone Creative

Volunteer of the Year is presented to an outstanding volunteer who has made significant contributions in furthering the growth and mission of the club.

As the communication co-chair of AAF, Jenny has helped orchestrate a fresh social media presence, website, and marketing strategy for AAF. In addition, Jenny has volunteered and served dozens of organizations such as Parenteen, AIGA, Agape Pregnancy Center, Spark Discipleship, and is an active participant in her local church.

Jenny Cross is the founder and CEO of TwoTone Creative, a full-service marketing agency founded in West Des Moines in 2014. She’s passionate about cultivating the potential of her clients and her 18-person team. Outside of the office, you can find Jenny spending time with her favorite human and husband, Jake, and their two daughters – Piper and Amelia.