Next Generation Award

Recognizing advertising professionals age 40 and younger who are making a significant impact on the industry through their leadership, career achievements and personal qualities, which also inspires others to excel. Industries include media, design and advertising. A new inductee will be honored each year during the annual Hall of Achievement awards ceremony.

Award Recipients

Lee Klein

2021 Award Recipient

Lee was born one minute before his twin brother Josh (his only sibling) in Sierra Vista, Arizona in 1988. Sierra Vista never seemed too big a town for Lee and his brother, but it must have for their parents, who decided to move out to picturesque, rural Palominas when the boys were entering middle school. Lee played on the varsity golf and wrestling teams in high school, did well in his classes, and when the University of Arizona offered full-tuition scholarships, the college selection process ended – the boys were off to the big city… Tucson!

In 2009, Lee graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Arizona with degrees in Business Management and Entrepreneurship and immediately transitioned into his dream job of selling commercial office furniture. Unfortunately, selling $700 task chairs in the middle of the great recession proved more difficult than he anticipated. In 2011, he jumped into the world of advertising as a Media Consultant with Cox Media.

After five years of growing a successful portfolio of business, Lee was promoted to Local Sales Manager in 2016. Through his guidance, his nine-person local team leads all other Cox markets in digital growth over the past four years and leads the local market in total digital revenue sales. Since joining Cox, Lee has had the opportunity to learn from a bevy of incredibly talented colleagues and has worked alongside inspiring local entrepreneurs to help them grow their businesses.

Lee has served as a board of director member with The Downtown Tucson Partnership and AAF-Tucson. He is currently President of the Arizona Oncology Foundation, where he has helped with fundraising events and developing partnerships with local businesses.

Previous Next Generation Award Recipients

• 2019: Sarah Hupp

• 2018: Alexis Favis, Madden Media

• 2017: Nickolas Duarte, Crown Chimp Productions

• 2016: James Patrick, JP Photography

• 2015: Julie Rustad, Julie Originals

• 2014: Susan Roe, Smart Pop Creative

Nomination Form

Know someone who should be nominated for a Hall of Fame Award?
Just fill out the online form, explain why you think they fulfill the criteria, and submit!

Nominate someone today!

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- Advertising Professional of the Year
  Nominees to the Advertising Hall of Fame are judged on the following criteria: An individual who has made exceptional contributions to the advertising industry, including involvement in community service and community service organizations. An individual who is involved in advertising related organizations, including committee participation and leadership, or holding office. An individual who has contributed to raising the standards of advertising in Tucson by adhering to ethical business practices. An individual who is involved in the process of promoting the advertising industry on a day-to-day basis.
- Advertising Hall of Fame:
  Nominees to the Advertising Hall of Fame are judged on the following criteria: An individual who has made exceptional contributions to the advertising industry, including involvement in community service and community service organizations. An individual who is involved in advertising related organizations, including committee participation and leadership, or holding office. An individual who has contributed to raising the standards of advertising in Tucson by adhering to ethical business practices. An individual who is involved in the process of promoting the advertising industry on a day-to-day basis.
- Next Generation Award:
  Recognizing advertising professionals age 40 and younger who are making a significant impact on the industry through their leadership, career achievements and personal qualities, which also inspires others to excel. Nominees for the Next Generation Award are judged on the following criteria: Has measurable career results in their field. Motivates and inspires others to excel by mentoring, training or volunteering. Demonstrates a high degree of creative and original thinking in his/her field.
- Silver Medal
  The award is bestowed upon a locally well-known person for their life-long contributions to advertising and the community. Nominations are judged on the following criteria: The nominee has worked to raise and maintain high standards in the advertising profession. The nominee has demonstrated a consistently high degree of creative and original thinking in the field. The nominee has been a consistent contributor of his/her talents to improve some phase of social welfare. The nominee has consistently maintained a position of role model for those in the advertising industry.
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