At Ace Studios, we believe the best creative work does more than look good. It moves people. It builds community. It challenges industries to think bigger, act bolder, and show up with purpose.
That belief has shaped the way we work, the clients we serve, and the kind of agency we continue to build.
So we’re proud to share that our CEO and Co-Founder, Kurt Thigpen, has been named one of AAF Reno’s 2026 Ad People of the Year.
The annual Ad People of the Year event celebrates individuals and organizations making an impact across Reno’s advertising, marketing, and creative community. This year’s honorees include Laura Partridge, recipient of the Thomas C. Wilson Lifetime Achievement Award; Danni Winter and Kurt Thigpen as Ad People of the Year; Kristen Saibini and the Downtown Reno Partnership for Community Contribution of the Year; and Rowena Magbitang-Piñero as Young Professional of the Year.
For Kurt, this recognition is especially meaningful because his story in advertising has always been deeply connected to community.
Before Ace Studios became the agency it is today, Kurt’s career was shaped by a simple but stubborn belief: creative work should be accessible, strategic, and powerful enough to help organizations grow. That belief has carried through every chapter of his work, from building brands and websites to supporting nonprofits, small businesses, public agencies, political campaigns, and mission-driven organizations throughout Reno and beyond.
It has also shaped his long-standing involvement with the American Advertising Federation.
Kurt’s AAF journey began locally with AAF Reno, where he served as chapter president and became deeply involved in supporting the next generation of advertising professionals. Over the years, that commitment grew into regional and national leadership roles within AAF, including his work with the Council of Governors and the Western Region. Through that service, Kurt has helped advocate for stronger clubs, better resources, more inclusive leadership pipelines, and a healthier future for the advertising industry.
That same spirit is baked into Ace Studios.
As an agency, we’ve never been interested in simply making things “pretty.” We care about the strategy behind the work. The people behind the brands. The communities shaped by the messages we put into the world.
Kurt’s recognition as one of AAF Reno’s Ad People of the Year reflects not just his personal contributions, but the values that continue to guide Ace Studios: resilience, creativity, leadership, community investment, and a healthy refusal to do things the boring way.
We are incredibly proud of Kurt, grateful to AAF Reno, and honored to be part of a creative community that continues to elevate the people pushing this industry forward.
The 2026 Ad People of the Year celebration will take place on June 25, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Atlantis Casino Resort & Spa. Ticket sales end on June 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Get your tickets here.
Congratulations to Kurt and all of this year’s honorees. Here’s to the people doing the work, building the community, and making advertising a little more human.