President Emeritus, American Advertising Federation (AAF)
Howard Bell began to influence the advertising industry long before his stewardship of the American Advertising Federation (AAF). As an executive at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) in the late 1950s, Bell helped draft the Television Code and formulated the blueprint for the Television Bureau of Advertising. In 1963 Bell was appointed director of the NAB Code Authority and was fully responsible for the administration, interpretation and enforcement of the radio and television codes.
As president of the American Advertising Federation, Bell used his national position to educate lawmakers, the media and the public. He tirelessly and eloquently articulated advertising’s informational and educational values and its capacity to stimulate competition, lower prices and create greater freedom of choice for consumers.
In his 24 years as AAF president, Bell built the AAF from two regional associations of a limited staff, budget and industry support into a single major national advertising association comprising all key elements of the industry. Overall membership during his tenure more than tripled.
Bell’s commitment to ethical advertising also led to self-regulation at the local level. Under his direction, in 1981, the AAF launched the Local Advertising Review Program as a joint project with the Council of Better Business Bureaus.
Bell has been a member of the board and the executive committee of the Advertising Council; director of the National Advertising Review Council; the Advertising Educational Foundation; the American Advertising Museum advisory board; the Smithsonian Advertising Center; the public relations committee of Mothers Against Drunk Driving; and the U.S. Information Agency marketing advisory board.
