The Ad Council has named Soledad O’Brien, CEO of Starfish Media Group, a multi-platform media production and distribution company, Co-Chair of the Ad Council’s Advisory Committee on Public Issues.
She is joining Christopher Gebhardt, CEO of Stir Strategy and Story. The Committee is the incubator for Ad Council campaigns where timely issues facing the country are discussed and new campaigns are proposed.
“I have seen firsthand the power of partnering with brands, foundations and other non-profits in order to elevate conversations around critical issues. If you can tell a story well, you can move people to do something. The Ad Council’s ability to use the persuasion of storytelling to convene these conversations is powerful and I am proud to join this extraordinary institution,” said O’Brien, in a statement.
“Co-Chairing the Ad Council’s Advisory Committee is both an honor and an exceptional opportunity to explore how we can harness the collective power of the media and advertising to drive social change,” added Chris Gebhardt. “By tapping the expertise of this all-star Committee of experts, we’re helping the Ad Council shape their campaigns on some of the most critical issues facing the country. For me, it’s not simply about serving on a Committee, but helping to make a difference for the millions impacted by Ad Council campaigns.”
The Ad Council currently produces over 40 national public service engagement campaigns addressing issues in the areas of education, family, health, safety and the environment. The Ad Council aims to raise awareness and inspire action on critical social issues—such as discrimination, autism, addiction and college access—by creating campaigns on behalf of non-profit organizations and government agencies.
“Co-Chairing the Ad Council’s Advisory Committee is both an honor and an exceptional opportunity to explore how we can harness the collective power of the media and advertising to drive social change,” remarked Chris Gebhardt. “By tapping the expertise of this all-star Committee of experts, we’re helping the Ad Council shape their campaigns on some of the most critical issues facing the country. For me, it’s not simply about serving on a Committee, but helping to make a difference for the millions impacted by Ad Council campaigns.”
The Co-Chairs are also joined by seven new Advisory Committee members with a diverse set of backgrounds in the private, public and non-profit sectors, each offering a unique perspective on today’s social landscape. They are:
Sara Adams, Senior Director, Communications & Marketing, CECP: The CEO Force for Good
Sarah Alspach, Vice President, US Pharma and Corporate Communications, GlaxoSmithKline
Angela Baker, Director, Wireless Reach, Qualcomm Inc.
Marc DeCourcey, Sr. Vice President, US Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Derrick Feldmann, President, Achieve
Jacquelyn Hadley, Partner, The Bridgespan Group
Rose Kirk, Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer, Verizon
Eric Pooley, SVP, Strategy & Communications, Environmental Defense Fund
The Advisory Committee has been an integral part of the Ad Council for over 50 years. The Committee, which meets twice each year, is comprised of esteemed experts who represent research, academia, philanthropy, business, media and public policy. They have helped initiate and guide many Ad Council efforts, including campaigns on reducing food waste (with the Natural Resources Defense Council), caregiving (with AARP), financial literacy (with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) and promoting math and science to girls.
“Soledad and Christopher are experts in harnessing the power of storytelling and media to connect with people and shape public perception on some of the most complex and urgent issues of our times,” Ad Council President and CEO Lisa Sherman said. “I know they’ll provide tremendous leadership when it comes to our next generation of social good campaigns.”
