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

DEADLINE TO NOMINATe: DECEMBER 29, 2023

Nominees are judged on the following criteria:

• 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.

• Service to the American Advertising Federation

  The honoree should have demonstrated a long-term commitment to the American Advertising Federation Black Hills chapter. Service to the corresponding AAF District and AAF National further solidifies the depth of service.

Meet the 2023 Silver Medal Recipient: Dan Daly

During more than three decades as a Black Hills journalist and public relations specialist, Dan Daly shared thousands of stories about the people of South Dakota and beyond.

For 18 years as a business reporter for the Rapid City Journal, Dan covered industries such as real estate, tourism, media and utilities. But it was his weekly Talking Business column and business blog that attracted a wide following. He featured new businesses, existing small businesses and retail rumors. He especially enjoyed helping new entrepreneurs get their names in front of the public – not easy in the days before social media.

In 2008, he left journalism for marketing, going to work for TDG Communications in Deadwood. He and Dustin Floyd launched the Black HIlls Facebook page in 2008. With content such as Fan Photo Friday, the page quickly built an audience of nearly 50,000 fans.

Dan Daly, 2023
Judy Darling, 2022
Mike Stec, 2021
Beth Hottel, 2020
Marnie Herrmann, 2019
Mutch Usera, 2018
Dawn Claymore, 2017
Michael Goodroad, 2016
Carol Brown, 2015
Jason Alley, 2014
Ross Johnson, 2013
Tim Reilly, 2012
Margaret Skillman, 2011
Robert Sharp, 2010