The American Advertising Federation (AAF) has recognized Scott Hamula, professor and program director of Advertising, Public Relations, and Marketing Communications in the Roy H. Park School of Communications, with its highest volunteer service award. Hamula was presented with the Barton A. Cummings Gold Medal Award at the AAF’s ADMERICA National Conference, held in early June.
The award was established by the AAF Board of Directors to recognize distinguished individuals for their service to advertising through volunteer work with the organization. In the 30 years that the award has been given out, Hamula is only the second professor to be honored with it.
“Scott's motto is, ‘Get things done and make a difference,’” said Ann C. Iverson, committee chair for the award. “Volunteerism is in his blood. His many years of service at the AAF local, regional, and national levels made him uniquely qualified and deserving of this award. Bart would be most proud of this year's Gold Medal recipient.”
For his part, Hamula said that he was “completely surprised and genuinely overwhelmed” when he learned he had been selected. “It’s an incredible honor to follow in the footsteps of the former recipients, whom I greatly admire. It’s also a meaningful moment for Ithaca College and the Roy H. Park School of Communications. I’m deeply grateful to the AAF for this recognition and to everyone who shared their support at ADMERICA.”
Established in 1905, the AAF is the only organization that includes members across all disciplines and career levels in advertising. It represents nearly 35,00 advertising professionals as well as more than 4,000 student members, who take advantage of an array of programs aimed at helping them kickstart their careers, including the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC).
Hamula’s service to the industry has included chairing the AAF’s National Education Executive Council, membership in the American Academy of Advertising and on the Academic Council for Adweek Magazine, and chairing panels for the National Advertising Review Board judging challenges to product advertising claims.
Hamula has previously been honored by the AAF with the Distinguished Advertising Educator Award. He serves as the faculty advisor to the college’s AAF student chapter and has led the Park School’s Ad Lab team to numerous NSAC district championships as well as the national championship in 2019.