In partnership with Sawhorse, the Ad Council's pioneering campaign uses familiar game tropes to spark meaningful gun safety dialogue that can keep kids and families safe

The Ad Council announced today that Mary Barra, Chair and CEO of General Motors, will be honored at the 72nd annual Public Service Award Dinner on December 3, 2026.

Kirk McDonald, Chief Executive Officer for Sundial Media & Technology Group, has been named Chair of the Ad Council’s Board of Directors. He succeeds Rita Ferro, President of Global Advertising at The Walt Disney Company.

More than ten years ago, the Ad Council and longtime creative agency partner R/GA launched "Love Has No Labels" with a simple but powerful premise: when we look beyond our assumptions, we can recognize the humanity we share with one another.

Beyond the boundaries of creativity and innovation stands Harry Kargman, founder and chief executive officer of Kargo and a member of the Ad Council's Board of Directors. In the digital advertising space, Kargo has not only delivered award-winning brand experiences, but harnessed the power of media as a force for good. Through its partnership with the Ad Council, Kargo has brought its signature high-impact formats and first-to-market ad innovation to purpose-driven campaigns like "Love, Your Mind."

Cannes Lions has long been a place where our industry comes together, bringing people, ideas and perspectives into one shared space. That spirit of partnership and connection is what continues to bring people back year after year, and it's what makes the week such an important one for centering social impact alongside creativity. We spoke with some of the Ad Council’s leadership to hear how their takeaways are shaping where we go next, underscoring what’s possible when innovation, creativity and partnership are aligned around a shared goal for purpose-driven impact.

Who’s familiar with GenAI, and who uses it? What messaging is most helpful for users, and how much trust do they place in results?

When shopping at the grocery store, what drives American consumers to pick up a sustainable item over one that’s not?

It’s clear that switching from fossil fuels to clean, efficient electric appliances can save households money, increase health, and improve our environment. What would motivate homeowners to actually make the switch?