WASHINGTON & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Advertising Federation (AAF) announced today it has engaged MediaLink, an Ascential company, to lead the search for its new President and CEO. The decision follows an announcement in May that longtime AAF President and CEO James Edmund Datri will step down on October 10th after completing 10 years of service to the organization.
MediaLink will work closely with the AAF search committee comprised of several board members and executives. The search will be overseen by Managing Director Trish Shortell, who joined MediaLink in June to lead the strategic advisory firm’s executive search practice.
“As we look to find a President and CEO suited to advance AAF’s impact, an important success marker will be their commitment to next gen talent, to multicultural advancement, and to bringing the industry together to solve our shared challenges.” said Amanda Richman, US CEO, Wavemaker and AAF board chair. “MediaLink has a strong history of identifying leaders capable of reimagining the traditional trade organization model. Their executive search practice has a unique position in the marketplace, giving them first-hand understanding of and access to top talent that can drive lasting change.”
“The AAF is a storied organization that has long supported the interests of every corner of advertising and the industries that touch it,” said Michael Kassan, Chairman and CEO of MediaLink. “As this broad advertising and marketing landscape faces reinvention every day, a forward-thinking, inspirational industry voice is an increasingly crucial resource for talent and businesses. We’re thrilled to help the AAF find its next leader who will become just that for our rapidly transforming industry.”
About the American Advertising Federation
Established in 1905, the American Advertising Federation (AAF), acts as the "Unifying Voice for Advertising." Its membership is comprised of nearly 100 corporate members made up of the nation’s leading advertisers, agencies, and media companies; a national network of nearly 200 local clubs representing 40,000 advertising professionals; and more than 200 college chapters with 5,000 student members. The AAF operates a host of programs and initiatives, including the Advertising Hall of Fame, the Advertising Hall of Achievement, the American Advertising Awards, the National Student Advertising Competition, the Mosaic Center for Multiculturalism and AdCamp for high school students.
About MediaLink:
MediaLink operates at the intersection of media, marketing, advertising, entertainment, technology and finance, delivering companies the advice, partners and opportunities they need to enable change and drive actionable solutions. Unlike any other company in the strategic advisory space, MediaLink helps companies execute in the core areas of revenue acceleration, industry marketing, investor strategy, data and technology solutions, and talent (including retained Executive Search). Founded in 2003 by Michael E. Kassan, MediaLink employs 150+ professionals in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Frankfurt and Berlin. MediaLink is an Ascential company. www.medialink.com
About Ascential plc:
Ascential is a global business-to-business information company that informs and connects the business world in 150 countries through market-leading Exhibitions & Festivals and Information Services. Ascential powers the global trend forecasting service WGSN, environmental risk data business Groundsure, e-commerce analytics provider One Click Retail, the prestigious Cannes Lions festival for the branded communications industry, the world's premier payments and financial services congress Money20/20 and MediaLink, a U.S.-based advisory and business services firm. The company provides customers with world class content and connections empowering their businesses to be the best informed and best connected. www.ascential.com