Diverse Group of Industry Legends to Become Newest Members of Advertising Hall of Fame
Contact: Mary Hilton, or
WASHINGTON, DC, January 16, 2003-The American Advertising Federation (AAF), administrator of the Advertising Hall of Fame, the industry's greatest honor for lifetime achievement in advertising, is proud to announce the election of five new industry legends:
- Hall "Cap" Adams Jr., retired chairman & CEO, Leo Burnett Company, Inc., successful leader who championed integrated services and unprecedented growth at Burnett.
- Phil Dusenberry, former chairman, BBDO North America, a legendary creative force in the industry and BBDO's guiding creative light for over two decades.
- John H. Johnson, publisher & chairman, Johnson Publishing Company, Inc., pioneer of African American consumer marketing and founder of EBONY and JET magazines.
- David Sarnoff, president & chairman, RCA (1891 - 1971), famed media pioneer and visionary who shaped the commercial broadcast system.
- Dave Thomas, founder, Wendy's International (1932 - 2002), beloved, affable and honest icon and creator of the popular quick-service chain.
The recipients will be officially inducted into the prestigious Advertising Hall of Fame at an award luncheon and ceremony Tuesday, March 18, at New York's historic Waldorf=Astoria hotel.
"This stellar lineup of those who have changed the shape of advertising is a celebration of true advertising genius," said AAF President and CEO Wally Snyder. "Due to the contributions of these renowned industry legends, the business of advertising holds the tremendous influence and prestige it does today."
The Advertising Hall of Fame began in 1948, and since then 162 individuals, including this year's honorees, have been elected to this illustrious group. They include such industry giants as Leo Burnett, Jay Chiat, Katharine Graham, Ray Kroc, David Ogilvy, William Paley, Harley Procter, Hal Riney, John Wanamaker and Mary Wells Lawrence. This award is the most prestigious in the industry honoring those individuals who have set the standard for advertising executives.
The Council of Judges, chaired by Janet Robinson, president & general manager, The New York Times Company, selected this year's recipients from among 27 candidates. See below for the entire list of the Council of Judges.
Editors Note: Photos of each inductee can be obtained at www.aaf.org or by contacting or .
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As the "Unifying Voice for Advertising," the American Advertising Federation (AAF), headquartered in Washington, D.C., with a Western Region office in Newport Beach, Calif., is the trade association that represents 50,000 professionals in the advertising industry. AAF's 130 corporate members are advertisers, agencies and media companies that comprise the nation's leading brands and corporations. AAF has a national network of 210 ad clubs and connects the industry with an academic base through its 210 college chapters. For more information, visit the AAF Web site at www.aaf.org.
2003 Advertising Hall of Fame Council of Judges
Executive Committee
Chair: Janet Robinson, president & general manager, The New York Times Company
Vice Chair: Jim Stengel, global marketing officer, The Procter & Gamble Company
David Bell, vice chairman, The Interpublic Group of Companies
Reginald Brack*, former chairman & CEO, Time Inc.
Tom Curley, president & publisher, USA TODAY
Byron Lewis, chairman & CEO, UniWorld Group
Burt Manning*, chairman emeritus, J. Walter Thompson Co.
Edward Ney*, chairman emeritus, Young & Rubicam Advertising
Council of Judges
Joseph Abruzzese, president, advertising sales, Discovery Networks U.S.
Carl Anderson, CEO, Doremus
Paul Atkinson, SVP, advertising, The Wall Street Journal
Howard Bell*, president emeritus, AAF; president, The AAF Foundation
Steve Blamer, president, Grey New York
Tom Carroll, president-The Americas, TBWA
Mark Dacey, president, marketing media & retail division, VNU Business Publications
C.J. Fraleigh, executive director-advertising and corporate marketing, General Motors
William Katz, president & CEO, BBDO New York
Eugene Kummel*, chairman emeritus, McCann-Erickson Worldwide
Jill Manee, VP, publisher, The Ad Age Group
Donald Melanson, managing director, The New York Times
Carla Michelotti, EVP & general counsel, Leo Burnett Worldwide Inc.
Keith Turner, president, TV network sales, NBC Television Network
Gary Yost, VP-marketing, Valassis
* Hall of Fame member
