Sixty years ago, the leaders of the Greater Boston advertising community began the tradition of honoring their peers for creative excellence in their field. In choosing the title of this event, it was decided that it would carry the name of a person who was respected for the qualities for which The Advertising Club stood.

That name was unanimously selected: Francis W. Hatch.

Francis Hatch began his 40+ year advertising career in the Boston branch of Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn (later to become the internationally famous BBDO) where he helped build the foundation of New England advertising. A poet, playwright, songster, and storyteller, he chronicled history as he knew it and lived it.

Francis, also known as Frank, was a humanitarian and a leader in the community with a firm belief that it is good for the advertising industry to devote time to public service. He gave his time and energy to the Red Cross, the Red Feather, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and other organizations. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. That inspiration still permeates across our industry. And in a period of time where inspiration is needed most, we are grateful for that.

In these six decades since, The Hatch Awards have taken many forms – from live judging to formal galas, to crazy celebrations at The House of Blues. One thing, however, has remained consistent, the vast amount of incredible work coming out of this immensely talented creative community.

Hatch became the place that creatives gathered, drinks were raised and the community got together to commiserate, celebrate and applaud the industry that we all so love.

The Boston Ad Community has historically been known for its music talent. Lance Jensen made the Volkswagen brand famous through his love and curiosity around music. And so many creative folks formed bands as a way to create, stay sane, and tap into their flip side.

And that is why we are dedicating the 60^th Anniversary of Hatch to those, who through all the challenges, can still hear the music, still have a flip side, still play on, still create. To all of you, the Boston Creative Community, we ask you to BAND TOGETHER.

Embrace your band members, your teammates, and be determined to keep Boston advertising rocking on. Here’s to all the behind-the-scenes work, the long nights, rejections, collaborations. Here’s to you, Boston.