“Water Sweet – The Story of Jamul” Earns Top Honors at AAF Reno ADDY Awards
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JAMUL, CA (March 23, 2026) – Jamul Casino Resort has been recognized with two prestigious ADDY Awards from AAF Reno, earning a Gold ADDY and Best of Show in the Corporate Social Responsibility category for “Water Sweet – The Story of Jamul,” a short film honoring the history, culture and resilience of the Jamul Indian Village of California. As a Gold ADDY recipient, the work will now advance to the national ADDY competition.
The ADDYs, presented annually by the American Advertising Federation, are among the most competitive awards in the advertising industry. Best of Show represents the highest honor awarded across all categories at the competition.
“Water Sweet – The Story of Jamul,” was created to mark a defining milestone for the tribe, the 2025 opening of the Jamul Casino Resort hotel, a landmark expansion representing decades of perseverance and the tribe’s ongoing commitment to building a lasting legacy for its people. The film was produced in partnership with Hey Frank, a Nevada-based advertising agency, and Orangetree Productions, a Reno-based video production company, with Mark Carey serving as director.
The film takes its name from the Kumeyaay word for Jamul, which means “water sweet,” and offers an intimate portrait of the tribe’s deep connection to its ancestral land, its enduring traditions and the community it continues to build today.
“Our tribe’s story deserves to be told with honesty and care. We’re proud that ‘Water Sweet’ accomplished that, and we’re grateful to our partners at Hey Frank and Orangetree Productions for the reverence they brought to this project,” said Erica M. Pinto, Chairwoman of Jamul Indian Village of California.
“You don’t get many chances to make something that truly matters. ‘Water Sweet’ was one of those chances, and we didn’t take it lightly,” said Brett Rhyne, Partner and Creative Director of Hey Frank. “Winning Best of Show is gratifying, but what means more is knowing the tribe felt their story was told right.”
Jamul Casino Resort is owned and operated by the Jamul Indian Village of California, a federally recognized tribe with ties to this land spanning thousands of years. The casino opened in 2016, and the addition of the resort hotel in 2025 marked a new chapter in the tribe’s growth and economic self-determination.
“Water Sweet – The Story of Jamul” is available to view here.
About Jamul Casino Resort
Opened in 2016, Jamul Casino Resort is owned and operated by Jamul Indian Village Development Corporation (JIVDC), a wholly owned enterprise of the Jamul Indian Village Tribe. The $430 million, award-winning property features nearly 1,700 slot machines, more than 50 live table games, a dedicated poker room, and multiple dining and entertainment venues.
In August 2025, the property officially transitioned to Jamul Casino Resort with the debut of a new $270 million 200-room luxury hotel tower. The 16-story boutique hotel introduces expanded guest amenities, including new restaurants, retail offerings, a rooftop pool, and a full-service spa and salon, and was designed to achieve AAA Four Diamond designation. Jamul Casino Resort employs more than 1,500 people and is the closest casino resort to downtown San Diego, the nation’s eighth-largest city.
For more information, visit www.JamulCasino.com.
About Hey Frank
Hey Frank is a full-service advertising agency with offices in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada, specializing in brand strategy, creative campaigns, and content production for clients across gaming, hospitality, nonprofit, and higher education sectors.
About Orangetree Productions
Orangetree Productions is a Reno, Nevada-based video production company with extensive experience serving gaming properties across the country, including tribal-owned casinos and resorts. With a portfolio spanning broadcast commercials, long-form corporate documentaries, and feature films, Orangetree brings a rare combination of cinematic craft and deep industry knowledge to every project.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kirvin Doak Communications