FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
71st Annual Advertising Hall of Fame Postponed to 2022 due to Global Pandemic
Washington, D.C., February 8, 2021 – The American Advertising Federation (AAF), host of the annual gala dinner and award ceremonies, is announcing a schedule change for the Hall of Fame event originally scheduled for April 28, 2020. It will now be held LIVE on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.
“Our ultimate goal, every year, is to be able to give our class of inductees the industry recognition that they have worked their entire careers to earn and that they deserve,” said Steve Pacheco, President and CEO of the AAF. “The decision to postpone once more wasn’t an easy one, but at its core is the duty we feel to honor and respect these industry legends in the manner that truly honors their achievements. It is worth the wait to host the ceremonies in-person when it is safe to be together again. As the Unifying Voice for Advertising, the AAF feels fortunate to represent a community that is so strong and united during very trying circumstances.”
The eight individual honorees will still be inducted as the Class of 2020, reflecting when they were selected by the Council of Judges to be inducted. The Class of 2020 consists of: Nina DiSesa, Former Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, McCann; Richard Edelman, CEO, Edelman; Judy McGrath, Former Chairman and CEO, MTV Networks; J. Melvin Muse, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Muse Communications; Andrew Robertson, President and CEO, BBDO Worldwide; Michael I. Roth, Chairman and CEO, The Interpublic Group. Wenda Harris Millard, Vice Chairman, MediaLink, will also be presented with the distinguished David Bell Award for Industry Service. Annie Leibovitz, renowned photographer, will be awarded the prestigious President’s Award for Lifetime Contributions to Advertising. IBM will also be inducted as the corporate honoree.
Commenting on the postponement, Chair of the Advertising Hall of Fame and FCB Worldwide CEO Carter Murray said, “For decades, the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony has been a welcomed tradition in advertising, with event sponsors, supporters and the industry as a whole coming together. Our Hall of Fame inductees are so deserving of a proper celebration done safely in person. We cannot wait to be reunited together in 2022.”
The Advertising Hall of Fame, established and executed by the AAF since 1949, is critical to sustain the organization’s many initiatives throughout the year surrounding education; diversity, equity and inclusion; grassroots advocacy; industry ethics and professional development. Induction into the Hall of Fame celebrates the most accomplished and legendary figures in advertising, whose career spans a minimum of 35 years in the industry. From their significant professional contributions to their personal philanthropic involvement, this year’s honorees have set the precedent by which great leaders and accomplishments are measured today.
The Hall of Fame ceremony is “The biggest night in Advertising” for the industry, bringing together more than 1,000 of the nation’s top leaders of American advertising, marketing and media companies. The 71st Annual Advertising Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies & Gala Dinner will be held on April 26, 2022, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
Limited tickets, table and sponsorships still available. To inquire, visit aaf.org/ahof or contact Beatrice Santacroce at [email protected].
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About AAF
The American Advertising Federation (AAF) was established in 1905 and is the only organization that includes members across all disciplines in advertising. The organization represents agencies of all sizes, brands and corporations across the board, and worldwide media entities. The AAF helps to promote the remarkable advertising industry, with a vast grassroots network of university and professional clubs. The AAF works diligently to ensure diversity and inclusion in all facets of advertising, and advocates to our lawmakers in Washington for the power and passion of the advertising industry’s grassroots network. The AAF is the unifying voice for advertising. Find out more about what we do on our website (aaf.org) and on social media (@aafnational on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram).
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