This recognition was instituted in 2005. Paper reviewers recommend manuscripts for the award. The top four or five papers are reviewed by a committee of five (the two immediate past vice-presidents and three research committee members). Authors are honored with a plaque during the annual AAA conference.

Best Conference Paper - 2017
Rick T. Wilson, Taewon Suh, Won-Seop Shim, and Hyeong-In Gim
"Advertising to the Masses: The Effects of Crowding on the Attention to place-Based Advertising"

Members of the Academy are eligible to apply for annual research grants offered by AAA. Grants are available to both junior and senior faculty members and submissions are evaluated by the Research Committee. Winners are expected to grant the Journal of Advertising right of first refusal on the primary paper resulting from the research. Recipients receive half of the award at the time of selection and half of the award when the paper has been sent to the Journal of Advertising.

AAA Research Fellowship Grant - 2017
Catherine A. Coleman
"Representing Gender: Cross-cultural implications of Advertising Professionals' Gender Theories"

Election as Fellow is the most prestigious honor given by the Academy. While other Academy recognitions honor members for outstanding achievement in a single area (e.g., teaching excellence, outstanding research, and distinguished service), the designation of Fellow is for a lifetime of achievement in the advancement of advertising scholarship, education, and service to the discipline. Thus, the Fellow is the Academy's broadest and most prestigious honor.

2017 Fellow
Les Carlson
Professor and holder of the Nathan Gold Distinguished Professorship in Marketing at the University of Nebraska. Past President and Treasurer of AAA and former editor of the Journal of Advertising; recipient of the AAA Outstanding Contribution to Research Award and the AAA Kim Rotzoll Award for Advertising Ethics and Social Responsibility.

The AAA assumed ownership of Journal of Current Issues & Research in Advertising in 2011. JCIRA had been a notable publication for advertising scholarship for over three decades. After a year's hiatus, it resumed publication in 2012. Since then, we have awarded a best paper award. The Chair of the AAA Publications Committee tabulates nominations from Journal reviewers and prepares a list which is then voted on by Publications Committee members. Authors are honored with a $500 check and a plaque during the annual AAA Conference.

Best Article - 2016
Joyce M. Wolburg
"Insights for Prevention Campaigns: The Power of Drinking Rituals in the College Student Experience From Freshman to Senior Year"