Comedian, writer, and producer Hasan Minhaj will receive the 2026 Cultural Force Award from the American Advertising Federation, a special honor presented as part of the AAF's Advertising Hall of Achievement (AHOA). He joins the AHOA Class of 2026 whose other honorees were announced in August.  

The award honors a public figure outside the industry whose work has shaped how brands advertise, market, and reach new audiences. Previous Cultural Force Award recipients include former NBA All-Star Chris Paul in 2023, writer and actress Issa Rae in 2024, and supermodel Ashley Graham in 2025. 

The announcement follows the debut of Minhaj's Netflix feature film Best of the Best which premiered globally on September 18.