Hamill awarded AFA Medallion
The head of George Paterson throughout the 80s and 90s, Alex Hamill, was awarded the AFA Medallion at the AGM.
The AFA Medallion is awarded to a person who has significantly contributed to the betterment of the advertising industry through the AFA, a person who has achieved excellence in their chosen field and presents a positive image of advertising to the general community.
Previous recipients are John Bevins, Colin Wilson-Brown, Peter Clemenger and Reg Bryson.
Alex was unable to accept the award in person but pre-recorded a special message in which he said he was honoured, but also slightly embarrassed, to receive the Medallion.
“What ever I put into advertising over the past 40 years I got back ten-fold. I owe just so much to this great business and to George Patterson,” Mr Hamill said.
AFA National Chairman, Russel Howcroft, in awarding the Medallion, said Alex typified the breed of adman who had started in dispatch and worked their way to the top.
Alex worked in advertising for 44 years – 34 of those with the George Patterson Group in Australia and Asia.
At the time of his retirement in 2000, Alex was CEO of the Communications Group, Regional Director Bates Asia and a Director of Cordiant UK.
He returned to the group as Executive Chairman in 2002 to help lead a private equity funded management buyout. In recognition of his role at the agency, he was appointed Emeritus Chairman of Y&R Brands.
With typical modesty and humour Alex commented at the time of his appointment – “Big hat – no cattle.”
He was Media Director of the Australian Olympic team in Sydney and Athens and will take the same role at Beijing. He is Chairman of the John MacLean Foundation, and along with his friend Bryce Courtenay, is co-patron of the Dymocks Literacy Foundation.