Laura Desmond, global CEO of Starcom MediaVest Group, has been named chair of the board of directors of the Advertising Council. She succeeds Debra L. Lee, chairman and CEO of BET Networks. David Kenny, CEO of The Weather Company, has been announced as vice chair of media, joining vice chair of advertisers, David Christopher, CMO of AT&T Mobility.
Desmond will be board chair through June 2015 when she will be succeeded by Christopher.
Peggy Conlon, president & CEO of the Ad Council, said of Desmond, “Laura is one of this country’s most respected leaders in the media and advertising communities, and her business acumen, marketing expertise and outstanding leadership will be instrumental to furthering our mission and the goals of our campaigns.”
With Desmond’s election, the Ad Council will continue its ongoing tradition of rotating board chairs every year between the organization’s founding sectors: media companies, advertising agencies and corporate advertisers.
Desmond joined the Ad Council board in 2009 and joined its executive committee and became vice chair of the organization in 2012. Under her leadership, the Ad Council’s pro bono work with media agencies has increased significantly.
Desmond has served as global CEO of Starcom MediaVest Group since 2008 and during that time has garnered significant new business from both new and existing clients, including Procter & Gamble, Samsung, Coca-Cola, Mars, Mondelez, Kellogg’s, Honda, Walmart and Kraft Foods.
The Ad Council is a private, non-profit organization with a rich history of marshalling volunteer talent from the advertising and media industries to deliver critical messages to the American public. Having produced literally thousands of PSA campaigns addressing the most pressing social issues of the day, the Ad Council has affected, and continues to affect, tremendous positive change by raising awareness, inspiring action and saving lives.
