The AAF Silver Medal Award
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. Each year, our AAF chapter bestows this honor upon an outstanding member of the Seattle advertising community.
The 2025 AAF Silver Medal Award
Our 2025 AAF Silver Medal recipients are Matt MCCAIN & Michael Boychuk!
Matt MCCAIn
Matt’s been a leader in the Seattle creative community for 25+ years. Before launching DNA+STONE, Matt co-founded independent creative agency Little Hand of Stone in 2019.
Matt’s creative work has been recognized internationally by Cannes, One Show, Communication Arts and Clios.
He has two semi-grown kids, lives in the semi-sticks, and semi-frequently disappears to fly fish.
MICHAEL BOYCHUK
Michael Boychuk is an Emmy-nominated Creative Director who has served the creative community for over 25 years.
While working as an ECD at Amazon Michael led a brand design overhaul and four Super Bowl efforts including 2018’s #1 ranked “Alexa Loses Her Voice”
In 2019 Michael co-founded his own agency, Little Hands of Stone, which recently merged with DNA to form DNA&STONE.
Michael has been recognized with awards in advertising and design from the Cannes Advertising Festival, The Clios, The One Show, The Obies, Communication Arts, Type Director’s Club, Adweek Best Spots, Kinsale, IAB MIXX and Lurzer’s Archive.
Highlights from the 2025 Award Presentation
previous Silver Medal Award Recipients:
John Rubino - 2024
Alan Brown - 2023
Jennie Moore - 2022
Cam Green - 2021
Mary Knight - 2020
Betty Fujikado – 2019
Terry Heckler – 2018
Cynthia Hartwig – 2017
John Schofield – 2016
Larry Asher – 2015
John Brown – 2014
Bob Peterson – 2013
Ron Elgin – 2012
Tracy Wong & Pat Doody – 2011
Jim Copacino – 2010
Dick Hadley – 2009
NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2026 SILVER MEDAL AWARD WILL OPEN SOON.
Check back and get ready to submit your nomination for an industry legend.
Nominate someone who’s made a genuine impact on our creative community to win our club’s highest honor.
We urge you to give extra consideration to underrepresented people whose paths may be outside the traditional industry avenues but whose contributions are clearly significant.
Recipient Criteria
The Silver Medal Award recipient is selected by a panel of past recipients based on the following criteria:
Contributions to their company. The recipient must have successfully led an ad agency, advertiser, media outlet or advertising service in the Seattle area.
Creative ability. No matter which discipline they’re in, the recipient must have worked to raise standards in the advertising profession.
Contributions to the 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 actively involved as someone who gives back to the community.