On the evening of Monday, October 7th, 2024, the 20th edition of Advertising Week New York kicked off with a grand celebration honoring outstanding women in the advertising industry. The Future is Female Awards recognizes and celebrates female leaders who are making significant contributions across various sectors. This year, the event was even more special, as it welcomed new collaborations and introduced fresh award categories, adding an extra layer of excitement to the night.
The evening began with a warm welcome from Louise DiIulio, Chief Client Officer of Advertising Week, and Ruth Mortimer, Advertising Week’s Global President. They reflected on the history of Advertising Week, which began in 2004, and emphasized the tradition of starting the week with a celebration. Ruth highlighted the diversity among the honorees, noting that leadership is not confined to one role, title, or way of thinking. This ethos is central to the Future is Female Awards, which honors women who bring a wide range of skills, passions, and experiences to the industry.
One of the highlights of this year’s event was the partnership with Spotify. Ann Piper, Spotify’s Head of North America Ad Sales, took to the stage to express her enthusiasm about the collaboration. This partnership marks a new chapter for the Future is Female Awards, with Spotify bringing its platform’s reach and influence to support the celebration of female leaders in advertising.
Celebrating Outstanding Achievements
The evening’s host, Taryn Delanie Smith, created an engaging atmosphere, setting the tone for the evening, ensuring the audience was entertained while highlighting the importance of the awards.
The first honoree of the night was Ariba Jahan, Head of Transformation for North America at Anomaly. Ariba’s impressive contributions included leading initiatives that significantly impacted public health, such as a $65 million mental health program and a $52 million COVID-19 education campaign. Her mentorship has also helped over 50 women advance into leadership roles.
Following Ariba, Bria Bryant, Global Chief Marketing Officer of Assembly, was recognized for her efforts in bringing critical issues to light. Through her work, Bria has created meaningful conversations about menstrual health, particularly focusing on non-binary and trans individuals. She has also played a key role in addressing the Black maternal healthcare crisis.
Dr. Dawn Wade, Managing Partner and Chief Strategy Officer at Nimbus, was celebrated not only for her professional achievements but also for her commitment to philanthropy. Dr. Wade has been a champion for higher-paying job opportunities, healthcare access, and housing security, particularly for Black and Brown communities.
The evening continued with honors for Isabel Solana, VP of Fever Originals, who founded a new business division that employs over 200 people globally, and Jean Freeman, Principal & CEO of Zambezi, one of the largest female-owned creative agencies in the U.S. Jean’s dedication to fostering female leadership has had a profound impact on the industry.
New Award Categories: Honoring Legacy and Future Leaders
Midway through the ceremony, the introduction of two new award categories was announced. Louise DiIulio returned to the stage to present the first Lifetime Achievement Award, which was given to the late Lilly Ledbetter. Known for her courageous fight for equal pay, Lilly’s legacy has inspired generations of women. Rachel Feldman, director of the upcoming movie “Lilly,” which tells the story of Lilly’s fight for equality, accepted the award on her behalf, sharing a brief clip from the film.
Advertising Week was honored to feature Lilly Leadbetter in Season 1 of our Future is Female podcast series, in partnership with Linkedin. In this interview, Lilly was joined by Kate Kelley, Associate Producer and EVP of Partnerships, LILLY, to discuss her life, her fight for equal pay for women, and her upcoming film.
Another new addition to the awards was the scholarship program, developed in partnership with the Advertising Club of New York’s Foundation. This initiative aims to provide financial support to women in the industry for professional training and development. Genetta Robinson, Senior Manager of Inclusive Marketing at Disney, and Carol Hood from Carol H Williams were named as the first recipients of these scholarships, which were presented in memory of Suki Thompson, a revered figure in the marketing industry.
More Inspiring Honorees
As the ceremony continued, Kelsey Lindell, Founder & CEO of Misfit Media, was honored for her work in doubling disability representation in media, while Michelle Crossan-Matos, Chief Marketing Officer of Ulta Beauty, was celebrated for her efforts in promoting inclusivity and self-expression.
One of the youngest honorees, Peyton King, Associate Director of Marketing at Sports Innovation Lab, was recognized for her advocacy for women’s sports and her efforts to create equal opportunities for women in the industry.
The ninth award of the evening went to Taylor Guglielmo, Chief Growth Officer at Chemistry, for her initiatives to solve industry diversity challenges. Taylor’s programs, such as the Ally Internship, have opened doors for aspiring Black talent, helping them see advertising, design, and production as viable career paths.
The final honoree was Allison Stransky, Chief Marketing Officer of Samsung Electronics America, who spearheaded initiatives focused on environmental transparency and sustainability, helping consumers navigate the complexities of greenwashing and climate change.
Closing the Night with Music and Celebration
The ceremony concluded with a musical performance by Bishop Briggs, a celebrated musician known for her soulful and dynamic performances, creating a high-energy finale for the event.
The Future is Female Awards once again succeeded in shining a light on the incredible achievements of women in the advertising industry. Through their leadership, creativity, and resilience, these women are not only transforming the industry but also inspiring the next generation to strive for excellence. As the attendees gathered for drinks and mingled with the honorees, it was clear that the spirit of celebration and inspiration would carry on well beyond the night.
