Each year AAF Baltimore offers an opportunity to honor outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the Baltimore advertising community. These individuals can represent any sector of the industry including agency, client or partner companies which could include media outlets, production suppliers, photographers etc., as well as from any segment within these groups (ie. account services, media, HR, creative, etc.) The Lifetime Achievement, AAF Silver Medal, Crystal Prism and Katherine Mahool Iconoclast awards are presented during the annual American Advertising Awards ceremony. Descriptions for each award are outlined below. 

KATHERINE MAHOOL ICONOCLAST AWARD 
Named in honor of the 1st president of the organization that eventually would become American Advertising Federation Baltimore, the Iconoclast Award celebrates women in advertising, marketing, business and design who have redefined industries, defied stereotypes and torn down barriers to success so that others may follow. 

2020 was the inaugural year of this award, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Women’s Advertising Club of Baltimore — the precursor to the current AAFB. As its first president, Mahool cut a new path forward, showing the world that women could lead in this industry at a time when they were just earning the right to vote. In addition to starting what may be Baltimore’s first woman-owned advertising agency in 1926, she was also the first woman to serve on the prestigious board of the Associated Advertising Clubs of the World. This award honors the creativity and tenacity that drive change and inspire generations.