The Ad Council’s mission is to convene the best storytellers to educate, unite and uplift—by opening hearts, inspiring action and accelerating change. We won’t stop until we live in a society where every single person can thrive.
Our Mental Health Initiative
The Ad Council is working to foster a society that is more open and proactive about mental health. The initiative aims to generate awareness and take actionable steps toward addressing the mental health crisis in the U.S.
Where substance meets scale
The Ad Council was founded as a national nonprofit in 1942 with the belief that creative marketing can solve complex social issues. We partner with the most innovative advertisers, the best storytellers, and the most powerful platforms to move the country forward.
A lasting impact
We have a singular purpose: making a measurable difference in people’s lives. By using a research-based strategy to develop the right approach for the right audience, we’re shifting mindsets and spurring movements.
OUR HISTORY
Read all about the history of the Ad Council, which stretches back decades to our WWII-era founding.
We're all in this together
We bring together the right team for every cause. The Ad Council’s unique network of partners across media and tech, marketing, entertainment and advertising, government and the nonprofit world allows us to create change that no other organization can.
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53B
Impressions for our COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative. -
5X
The increase in the number of people who say they intend to support Feeding America since our campaign launched in 2008. -
1.39M
People potentially at risk for Type 2 diabetes who have completed our prediabetes risk test.
Learn With Us
What Makes a Great Creative Platform? Insights from Celebrating 80 Years of Smokey Bear
In 1944, the USDA Forest Service, National Association of State Foresters and Ad Council launched the first poster featuring Smokey Bear. This national wildfire prevention awareness campaign asked Americans to take personal responsibility and do their part to help prevent unwanted wildfires.
August 8, 2025
Reflections on Cannes and Cause-Oriented Campaigns from Inaugural Young Lions Bold Impact Winners
Each year, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity brings together leaders in advertising, communications and media to showcase award-winning work, advance global conversations and inspire new avenues for creativity. Alongside seasoned CMOs, rising stars of the industry are also making their mark.
July 3, 2025
Listen Up: How Audience Insights Strengthened Our Alzheimer's Awareness Campaign (and Can Help Yours Too)
More than seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. According to new data from the Alzheimer’s Association, that number is expected to increase significantly as the senior population in the United States continues to grow. It's a devastating disease, one that touches many of us personally. At the same time, we’re seeing that brain health is a rapidly growing area of interest, as more research becomes available and breakthrough early diagnostic tests and treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's emerge.
June 11, 2025
CREATIVITY. CAUSES. AND YOU.
Together we can do so much. Let’s talk about how we can partner to help change the world.