The Academy first became an idea set into motion in 1957 by Dr. Harry Hepner of Syracuse University. The first meeting took place at the 1958 Dallas AFA convention. At the 1960 Academy meeting in New York City, Hepner was named the First Academy Fellow.

During the 1960-61 year, membership grew from 123 members to 241. The Academy established relations with the Association of National Advertisers, Association of Industrial Advertisers, and the American Association of Advertising Agencies.

Today, the Academy has over 600 members. The Executive Committee of the Academy, which meets twice a year, consists of a President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Past President and Executive Secretary; the nationally-elected President of the Academy annually appoints over 100 members to approximately 15 committees. The Academy maintains relationships with many advertising-related associations, including the INAME and the Accreditation Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.