The American Advertising Federation’s Silver Medal Award Program was established in 1959 to recognize men and women who have made outstanding contributions to advertising and who have been active in furthering the industry’s standards, creative excellence and responsibility in areas of social concern. Annually, AAF member clubs bestow this honor upon outstanding members of the local advertising community.

For many local clubs, awarding the AAF Silver Medal is the highlight of their year. It enhances the image of advertising by recognizing a locally well-known person for their advertising and community involvement.

Silver Medal recipients are selected by a panel of judges from each local club. Judges use the following criteria when making their selections:

• Contribution to His/Her Company – The recipient must have achieved success in one of the following areas of work: advertising agency, advertiser, media or advertising service.

• Creative Ability – The recipient must have shown a consistent, high degree of original thinking in their field.

• Contributions to the General Advancement of Advertising – The recipient must have worked to increase the stature and raise the standards of the advertising profession.

• Contributions to the Community – The recipient should be someone who has been active in civic, religious, or other groups dedicated to human or social welfare.

Nominations should include the name of the nominee, the name and contact information of the person making the nomination, and a brief statement of why this nominee should be honored with the Silver Medal Award.  Additional support materials may be included; however, only a summary statement is necessary.

Please e-mail your nomination by Friday, February 25, to Melissa Burnett at dzynchick08@yahoo.com. Your nomination will be viewed by Committee members only and not revealed to any other sources.

Past silver medal recipients include:

1961 Jack Pitluk, Sr (+)

1962 Jim Gaines (+)

1963 Bernard Brooks (+)

1964 Bob Roth (+)

1965 Leslie M Culmer

1966 Roy Clark (+)

1967 Rex Pries (+)

1968 Tom Gish (+)

1969 LR Landers

1970 Bob Johnson (+)

1971 James F Anderson

1972 Jim Vynalek

1973 AJ Lewis

1974 Henry Phillips, Jr

1975 Jack Pitluk, Jr (+)

1976 Elmer Crumrine

1977 Edward Cheviot (+)

1978 Louis Pitluk

1979 William & Jerry Hayes

1980 Emilio Nicolas

1981 Ben J Tamborello

 1982 Ginger Dutcher

1983 Charles Kilpatrick

1985 Jim Schiavone (+)

1986 Lionel Sosa

1987 Julius Germano

1989 Bert Zausmer (+)

1990 Wanda Berry

1991 Gary T Young (+)

1992 John A Aguillard

1994 Leo Taylor (+)

1995 Sam Rinklin (+)

1996 AJ Castro

1997 Heberto Gutiérrez

2000 Chip Atkins

2001 Chuck Anderson

2002 Ernest Bromley

2005 Match Frame:Ken Ashe, Michael Bowie, Don White

2007 Arthur Emerson and Carlos Montemayor (+)

2008 Ken Thompson

2009 Mary Ann Stutts

2010 Roger Christian

(+) indicates deceased