ANNOUNCING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AAF ADVERTISING HALL OF FAME

Introducing the AAF Advertising Hall of Fame Class of 2026. PRNewsfoto/American Advertising Federation
Introducing the AAF Advertising Hall of Fame Class of 2026. PRNewsfoto/American Advertising Federation

ANNOUNCING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AAF ADVERTISING HALL OF FAME

NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- On the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the AAF Advertising Hall of Fame (AHOF), the esteemed Council of Judges, led by Chair Ross Martin, President of Known and Vice Chair Rita Ferro, President of Disney Advertising, has chosen to induct six legendary leaders along with one corporate honoree and two special President's Award recipients. Honorees will be celebrated at the annual Induction Gala in New York City at Cipriani Wall Street on April 23, 2026. The announcement was made today concurrent with the ringing of the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

The Advertising Hall of Fame honors industry legends for their achievements, innovations & philanthropic contributions

"The Advertising Hall of Fame honors industry legends for their globally recognized achievements, groundbreaking innovations and exceptional philanthropic contributions to both the advertising industry and their communities," commented Steve Pacheco, President and CEO, American Advertising Federation (AAF). "Regarded as the 'Biggest Night in Advertising,' this year's 75th anniversary celebration promises to be bigger than ever with a veritable 'who's who' of industry icons to walk the red carpet and into the Hall of Fame."

The inductees marking the Class of 2026 include (in alphabetical order):

Gordon Bowen, Founder, mcgarrybowen, Creative Chairman, Dentsu Creative.

Esi Eggleston Bracey, Global Chief Growth & Marketing Officer, Unilever.

Susan Fowler Credle, Global Creative Advisor, Interpublic and Former Chair & Global CCO, FCB. Susan's ascent is the stuff of legends.

Susan will also be presented with the David Bell Award for Industry Service which honors extraordinary, unique contributions and service to the advertising industry as a whole. The award is named in honor of David Bell (Hall of Fame Class of 2007), a visionary leader and mentor to several generations of advertising professionals

David Droga, Vice Chair, Accenture; Founder, Droga5.

Tim Ellis, Chief Marketing Officer, NFL. During his career, Tim has delivered bold marketing that's spanned continents, agencies and some of the world's most iconic brands, influencing the advertising industry and greater culture.

Jim Stengel, President & CEO, The Jim Stengel Company; Former Global Marketing Officer, P&G.

In addition to these six legendary leaders, American Express will be honored as this year's corporate inductee. As a 175-year-old brand, American Express has built a legacy as one of the most recognizable and respected brands in the world, consistently delivering trust, service and security across generations while driving growth. Its marketing has shaped culture, from the enduring impact of "Don't Leave Home Without It" to the storytelling strength of "My Life. My Card." and recent "There's Nothing Like Platinum." The brand has evolved from a freight forwarding company into the global premium financial and lifestyle company it is today, continuing to innovate for customers to deliver on its brand promise of Powerful Backing. As a trailblazer, American Express has shown a deep commitment to supporting small businesses and helping local merchants and communities stay vibrant, most notably through its creation of "Small Business Saturday." The company is also a leader in purpose-driven work, with meaningful investments in backing communities and advancing inclusive economic growth.

To mark the AHOF's 75th anniversary, it was announced in October that for the first time ever two President's Awards will also be presented. The award is given to public figures whose primary careers are not in advertising, but whose work has made significant contributions to our industry. This year's recipients include Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Award-winning icon Barry Manilow, and Four Time Emmy, Golden Globe winning actress/author and activist Marlo Thomas, who was also awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Obama.

Barry Manilow is a global superstar who began his career in advertising, producing, composing and recording some of the most iconic commercial jingles of all time for companies and brands. Marlo Thomas has profoundly influenced the culture throughout her career, from TV'S first single working woman, That Girl, groundbreaking Free to Be…You and Me to decades of tireless dedication to the mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which has led to iconic campaigns and raised over a billion dollars in the past 20+ years.

In recognition of this honor, a portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit causes that are close to each President's Award recipient: The Manilow Music Project and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

For further details about the AHOF Induction Gala, visit aaf.org/ahof.

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