Los Angeles, CA — During the annual celebration of those working to champion diversity and inclusion across the advertising, marketing, PR, media and entertainment industries, ADCOLOR recognized exceptional leaders at the 12th annual ADCOLOR Awards ceremony. The event, hosted by Endeavor Chief Marketing Officer Bozoma Saint John, honored #MeToo Founder Tarana Burke, HuffPost Editor-in-Chief Lydia Polgreen, among others. Additional attendees included presenters such as President & CEO GLAAD Sarah Kate Ellis, star of “13 Reasons Why” and “Star Trek: Discovery” Wilson Cruz, actor Jay Ellis and actor James LeSure, along with ADCOLOR Founder & President Tiffany R. Warren. Each year, the ADCOLOR® Award Nominees and Honorees are carefully selected from a large population of diverse influencers across the creative industries. The finalists are chosen by the individual’s representation of ADCOLOR®’s motto, “Rise Up and Reach Back”. Those honored not only excel in their own careers, but also give back to the community and support their peers. Their goal is to create a network of diverse professionals to encourage and celebrate one another. Please see the below list of this year’s honorees and winners:
CATALYST AWARD
The ADCOLOR Catalyst Award is presented to an individual of note who uses his or her platform to serve as the voice of a cause or community. Their provocative courage, professional brilliance and selfless community outreach have sparked change and propelled progress within their respective industries and the world.
HONOREE: Tarana Burke, Founder, #MeToo Movement
ADVOCATE AWARD
The ADCOLOR Advocate Award is presented to an LGBT advertising, marketing or media professional who increases awareness of LGBT causes within and outside of the creative industries.
HONOREE: Lydia Polgreen, Editor-in-Chief, HuffPost
LEGEND AWARD
The ADCOLOR Legend Award is presented to a trailblazer who isn’t afraid to be different and who showed brilliance in his/her actions, a singular leader in their industry.
HONOREE: Ann Mukherjee, Chief Global Marketing Officer, SC Johnson
HONOREE: Esi Eggleston Bracey, EVP & COO, Beauty & Personal Care, Unilever
ADCOLOR IN TECH AWARD
The ADCOLOR in Tech Award is presented to an individual who has championed diversity & inclusion in the tech industries.
HONOREE: CP McBee, Senior Sales Director, Microsoft Advertising
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to inductees into the AAF Advertising Hall of Achievement or individuals who are seasoned industry veterans who pushed the boundaries and created positive change, setting the stage for generations to come to take the opportunities made by these icons, even further.
HONOREE: Lisa Garcia Quiroz, SVP, Cultural Investments and Chief Diversity Officer, Time Warner (presented in memoriam)
ADCOLOR | ONE CLUB CREATIVE AWARD
The One Club|ADCOLOR Creative Award is presented to a creative professional of multicultural background who has demonstrated noteworthy talent and achievement within the media, creative, digital and traditional advertising disciplines. These recipients are chosen by The One Club Board of Directors.
HONOREE: AJ Hassan, VP Executive Creative Director, R/GA Chicago
HONOREE: Shannon Washington, SVP, Creative Director, Deutsch LA
THE AD OF THE YEAR AWARD
The ADCOLOR Ad of the Year Award is given to a campaign or single execution that pushes boundaries, promotes conversation and highlights the lives of multicultural, LGBT and/or other under-represented Americans in the mass media.
WINNER: Procter & Gamble / BBDO New York / “The Talk”
CHANGE AGENT AWARD
The ADCOLOR Change Agent Award is presented to an individual within a company who is using their talents and position to enhance the corporate culture and create a more inclusive environment. This can be part of or beyond the scope of that person’s primary role.
WINNER: Elisha Greenwell, Brand Strategist, Facebook
INNOVATOR AWARD
The ADCOLOR Innovator Awards is presented to a remarkable professional who embodies progress and imagination. Someone who stands out among peers as a game changer and pioneer in their role, creating breakthrough developments and/or improvements, whether tangible or intangible.
WINNER: Rodney Williams, CEO, LISNR
ROCKSTAR AWARD
The ADCOLOR Rock Star Award is presented to an outstanding professional who, whether through their primary role or extracurricular activities, stands out as a leader and visionary in the industry.
WINNER: Eunique Jones Gibson, Founder, Because Of Them We Can
RISING STAR AWARD
The ADCOLOR Rising Star Award is presented to an up-and-coming young gun with less than seven years of experience. The Rising Star honoree is someone who stands out among their peers as someone who is raising the bar of excellence as they move forward in their career.WINNER: Morgan Hewitt, Client Solutions Manager, Facebook
MOST VALUABLE PARTNERSHIP AWARD
The ADCOLOR MVP Award is presented to two or more companies that work together to provide exceptional and highly effective diversity solutions within their organizations and industries. They may be an agency, marketer, media company or diverse supplier with NMSDC or WBENC certification that team up for short or long-term projects that promote diversity and inclusion in the creative industries. WINNER: Egami Group & BBDO
In addition, this year a Special Recognition Award was given to President & CEO of the American Advertising Federation James Edmund Datri, for his long-time commitment to supporting ADCOLOR as the organization has grown and developed over the years.
