4A’s Raises $346,000 for the 4A’s Foundation at 100th Anniversary Gala & Fundraiser

Established in 1997, the 4A’s Foundation was created to help drive diversity within marketing communications agencies

Nov.9, 2017 (New York City)—Nearly 900 people gathered in New York’s Cipriani Wall Street on Wednesday, Sept. 27, for an industry milestone event: the 4A’s 100th Anniversary Gala & Fundraiser.

The gala raised $346,000 through ticket sales, sponsorships, and a generous $100,000 donation from Joe Erwin, president of Erwin Creates and 4A’s Foundation board chair, and his wife, Gretchen Erwin.

4A’s is donating the proceeds generated by the 4A’s 100th anniversary event to the 4A’s Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that cultivates diversity in the advertising industry by providing financial support to talent and inclusion programs, including Manhattan Early College for Advertising (MECA) and the High School for Innovation in Advertising and Media (IAM). These New York City public schools are designed to prepare diverse students for careers in advertising, media and PR.

The 4A’s Foundation has been investing in education and providing financial support, primarily through scholarships, for future multicultural advertising and media executives. Over $2.5 million has been awarded to more than 400 students around the globe. The foundation also provides resources to education, employment, outreach, engagement and retention programs and initiatives in NYC. It also engages colleges, universities and recognized portfolio schools to identify high-potential students who are poised to make a difference in the advertising community.

“We all strive to drive change in this industry,” said Marla Kaplowitz, CEO of the 4A’s. “Our ability to come together for one night and not only celebrate the current leaders and rising stars of today, but also to make a collective commitment to our next generation of talent, is a great step toward a more inclusive future.”

Developed in partnership with Advertising Week, the gala celebrated the 4A’s 100th anniversary and honored the 100 rising stars, industry legends and current leaders identified in its list of 100 People Who Make Advertising Great.

With “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah as the master of ceremonies, the evening included a stand-up routine from Noah, a conversation with the comedian about his autobiography Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, performances from Harlem’s Mama Foundation choir, and addresses from Momentum Worldwide’s CEO Chris Weil, the 4A’s Kaplowitz, and exiting board chairman Bill Koenigsberg, founder and CEO of Horizon Media. Keesha Jean-Baptiste, 4A’s senior vice president of talent engagement and inclusion, joined Noah on stage for a discussion alongside an alumnus and current student from Brooklyn’s High School for Innovation in Advertising and Media.

4A’s wishes to thank its sponsors for the night:

ABOUT THE 4A’s
The 4A’s, founded in 1917, is the leading authority representing the marketing communications agency business. It provides leadership, advocacy and training that empower agencies to innovate, evolve and grow. It serves 740 member agencies across 1,400 offices that control more than 85 percent of total U.S. advertising spend. The 4A’s is committed to protecting the best interests of its members, their employees and the industry at large. Its benefits division insures more than 164,000 agency professionals, and the D.C. office advocates for policies that best support a thriving advertising industry. With its best-in-class learning and career development programs, the 4A’s and its foundation fuel a robust diversity pipeline of talent for its members and the marketing and media industry, fostering the next generation of leaders.

For more information, please visit http://www.aaaa.org/.

Contact:
Nikki Kria
Havas PR
Tel. 646-643-2948
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