Just like chefs on Chopped create gourmet dishes from mystery ingredients, five of Lincoln’s top designers will step up to the plate in AMA Lincoln’s CROPPED, facing a branding challenge like no other!

On November 7th, at the Talon Room, these five creative powerhouses will compete live, crafting show-stopping marketing collateral for this year’s featured small business with surprise materials and unexpected twists. Only the sharpest, most inventive designers will survive each round, as judges vote to eliminate one designer per round who didn’t quite make the cut. Who will make the cut and who will be “cropped”?

CROPPED 2024 designers entering the cropping block:

Headshot of Kylie Stearns with text "Kylie Stearns" "EVP of Membership"
Image of Tessa Wiser with text "Tessa Wiser" "VP of Membership, AMA Lincoln" and "Marketing Coordinator, Downtown Lincoln Association"
Image of Ty Westover with the text "Ty Westover", "VP of Membership, AMA Lincoln" and "Owner, ConnectTY IMS"
Image of Jennifer Shultz with the text "Jennifer Shultz", "VP of Membership - Collegiate Relations, AMA Lincoln" and "Director of Marketing and Campaign Communications, University of Nebraska Foundation"
Image of Kayley Cooper with the text "Kayley Cooper", "VP of Membership, AMA Lincoln" and "Sales Development, Relentless Merch"

“AMA’s CROPPED event is one of my favorites of the year. We get to showcase our incredibly talented local designers in a friendly competition. It’s an opportunity for ‘in-house’ designers to take on agency designers, which I think is a fun dynamic. It’s a chance for those with less (or no) design talent to marvel at others’ work while enjoying tasty food and cocktails. And as a sponsor, it’s a great opportunity to bring all these things together for a fun evening and reward great work with some cold hard cash.”

Curt Rohn, Assistant Vice President of Marketing at Union Bank & Trust, a CROPPED sponsor and longtime supporter of AMA Lincoln

This year’s featured small business for the challenge is Life Resources, LLC. Their skilled, compassionate therapists support clients in building more fulfilling lives. Whether you’re facing specific challenges or feeling that life could hold more, Life Resources, LLC offers a supportive environment to explore and overcome the obstacles impacting your personal and professional life.

Let’s not forget about our AMAzing MC and judges!

The CROPPED Breakdown: How It Works

If you aren’t familiar with CROPPED, here’s the deal:

    • In each round, designers are given surprise design requests and tasked with creating their best work under time pressure.
    • At the end of each round, attendees will admire the final designs while the judges decide which designers will advance and who will be CROPPED.
    • The winning designer in round three walks away with bragging rights, high fives, and—oh yeah—a $1,000 cash prize! The runner-up won’t leave empty-handed either, taking home $250.
    • The featured small business also wins big, leaving with $1,000 and the winning designs.

“What do I love about CROPPED? It’s the closest I’ll ever get to being on the Great British Bake-Off™. It’s the thrill of pushing myself to my limits, of seeing how different designers take different approaches to a solution, and of giving a worthy recipient some great design work. It’s high-octane, and it’s FUN.”

CROPPED 2023 Champion Sean Flattery

Not a Designer? Here’s Why You’ll Love CROPPED

This event has something for everyone—whether you’re a marketer, small business owner, or just someone who appreciates great design. Your ticket includes event entry for lively conversation, delicious hors d’oeuvres, superb entertainment, and a drink ticket for the cocktail or mocktail of your choice. Plus, you’ll get to catch up with your fellow AMA members and Lincoln’s marketing community while watching the design battle unfold.This is more than just a competition—it’s about empowering local designers and supporting Lincoln’s small businesses.

 

For all you branding enthusiasts who don’t want to miss the action, snag your tickets today for a front-row seat to all the creative chaos. The clock is ticking—there’s only 100 tickets available so don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable design showdown! Mark your calendars for November 7th at the Talon Room—you won’t want to miss a minute of the AMA-zing competition that will leave only one designer standing!