Canton Ad Federation (CAF) awards 2025 advertising scholarship to Ripley Kemp
CAF’s Dan Argenas (left) and Innis Maggiore’s Mercedes Brown (right) congratulate advertising scholarship recipient Ripley Kemp (middle).
CANTON, Ohio (June 3, 2025) — Innis Maggiore, the nation’s leading positioning ad agency, today announced Ripley Kemp is the 2025 recipient of the Canton Ad Federation (CAF) scholarship.
Kemp studies media with minors in psychology and film production at Ohio University. Outside the classroom, she participates in a student-led short film organization known as Rough Cut Collective, where she continues to hone her artistic lens. An avid scuba diver and visual storyteller, she aspires to become an underwater photographer.
The CAF advertising scholarship recognizes the efforts of Dick Maggiore, Innis Maggiore chairman, as one of the first individuals to establish funds for those interested in creative pursuits. The endowment supports children and young adults seeking to explore their artistic outlets by pursuing careers in media and strategic communications. By helping others achieve their ambitions, the CAF scholarship also works toward setting higher standards in advertising.
Presided over by Maggiore, the selection committee is comprised of Dan Argenas, principal at DA Marcom, Inc., Jolene Colant, director of marketing at Hall, Kistler & Company, and Julie Mertes.
The advertising scholarship is administered by the Stark Community Foundation (SCF), a trusted community partner that helps others achieve flexible and effective charitable giving focused on making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits.
With more than 50 years in the industry, Innis Maggiore understands its responsibility in supporting the next generation of communications professionals among Stark County youth. The agency lives out this pledge through various initiatives like advertising scholarships and its seasonal internship program.
“Career development resources — like an advertising scholarship — give students the opportunity for professional and artistic enrichment,” said Mark Vandegrift, president and CEO of Innis Maggiore. “The impact of initiatives like the CAF scholarship can be transformative in opening doors, especially for those pursuing a career in creative spaces.”
About Stark Community Foundation
Stark Community Foundation (SCF) is the community’s trusted partner in giving to more than 900 individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits that have created charitable funds to support causes they care about. Ranked in the top 10 percent of community foundations in the United States, SCF is committed to serving donor needs and strategically addressing local issues. Since it was established in 1963, the foundation and its family of donors have granted more than $230 million to nonprofits. Learn how you can simplify your giving and amplify your impact through the Center for Partners in Philanthropy at www.starkcf.org.
About Innis Maggiore
Innis Maggiore Group is recognized as America’s leading positioning ad agency, building strong brand positions for companies around the world. The full-service integrated agency had 2024 capitalized billings of about $25 million. Some of its key clients include Advanced Power, Aultman Health System, AultCare Health Plans, Babcock & Wilcox, Baird Brothers Fine Hardwoods, BellStores, WellLink (formerly The Center for Health Affairs), Encino Energy, ForeverLawn, Goodwill Industries of Eastern North Carolina (GIENC®), GOJO Industries (PURELL), Golf Crypt, Hall of Fame Resort and Entertainment, JDM Structures, KFC/Kendall House, Lewis Services, MID’S True Sicilian Pasta Sauce, Midwest Industrial Supply, Mueller Electric, ReliaRide Medical Transportation, Robertson Heating Supply Company, SmithFoods/Prairie Farms, Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA), and Stricklands Ice Cream.