Our History
The Ad Council’s mission is to convene the best storytellers to educate, unite and uplift. By opening hearts and inspiring action, together we accelerate change.
As we look ahead to our future, we also continue to examine the lessons of our legacy, which stretches back through decades of American history to our WWII-era founding. Our goal is to assess this legacy honestly, as we work every day to create a culture where everyone can thrive.
Read on to learn more about the history of the Ad Council.
As we look ahead to our future, we also continue to examine the lessons of our legacy, which stretches back through decades of American history to our WWII-era founding. Our goal is to assess this legacy honestly, as we work every day to create a culture where everyone can thrive.
Read on to learn more about the history of the Ad Council.
1940s
1941
James Webb Young, cofounder of the Young and Rubicam agency, first articulated an idea to industry giants including Raymond Rubicam, J. Walter Thompson and Leo Burnett. His idea? An organization that could bring the entire advertising industry together in service of social good. Three weeks later, Pearl Harbor was attacked.
1942
The organization is incorporated as the Ad Council on June 25, but was quickly renamed the War Advertising Council with the intention of mobilizing the advertising industry around WWII efforts, producing propaganda including “Women in War Jobs,” “Buy War Bonds,” and “Loose Lips Sink Ships.”
The Ad Council now recognizes that, while emphasizing the importance of a unified American populace at home, some WWII messages from the War Advertising Council also stoked paranoia of non-white Americans and foreigners, including particularly disparaging portrayals of Japanese people.
The Ad Council now recognizes that, while emphasizing the importance of a unified American populace at home, some WWII messages from the War Advertising Council also stoked paranoia of non-white Americans and foreigners, including particularly disparaging portrayals of Japanese people.
1944
The story of Smokey Bear—who educates Americans about fire safety even today—begins during WWII, when fears of incendiary shells igniting wildfires in the forests of the Pacific Coast led to the creation of the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention program.
In need of a mascot, the US Forest Service turned to advertising agency Foote, Coone & Belding (now FCB, which remains on the Wildfire Prevention campaign to this day) and created Smokey Bear, whose “Only You” message began on a series of posters and stamps in the 1940s. Not long after, Smokey began appearing in radio and TV PSAs, often accompanied by celebrities like Dolly Parton, Ray Charles, Betty White, and many more.
As the ever-evolving face of the longest-running campaign in American history, Smokey remains an enduring icon. Today you can find him in PSAs, online, and on social media continuing to spread the message of wildfire prevention.
In need of a mascot, the US Forest Service turned to advertising agency Foote, Coone & Belding (now FCB, which remains on the Wildfire Prevention campaign to this day) and created Smokey Bear, whose “Only You” message began on a series of posters and stamps in the 1940s. Not long after, Smokey began appearing in radio and TV PSAs, often accompanied by celebrities like Dolly Parton, Ray Charles, Betty White, and many more.
As the ever-evolving face of the longest-running campaign in American history, Smokey remains an enduring icon. Today you can find him in PSAs, online, and on social media continuing to spread the message of wildfire prevention.
1945
Starting in 1945, the Ad Council worked with the American Red Cross on public service advertising campaigns for more than 50 years. The PSAs raised public awareness of the various services provided by the Red Cross—they helped recruit blood donors, enlist volunteers and raise funds.
In the first month, the ads helped to recruit 30,000 volunteers. Two years in, the recruitment campaign increased young adult involvement in the Red Cross by 37%. In 1972, a special emergency campaign helped raise more than $15 million for the victims of Hurricane Agnes.
Through the years, campaigns also informed the public about steps that they could take to prevent and cope with health problems.
In the first month, the ads helped to recruit 30,000 volunteers. Two years in, the recruitment campaign increased young adult involvement in the Red Cross by 37%. In 1972, a special emergency campaign helped raise more than $15 million for the victims of Hurricane Agnes.
Through the years, campaigns also informed the public about steps that they could take to prevent and cope with health problems.
1946
Following President Truman’s request for the organization to continue its work as a peacetime public service organization addressing the most pressing social issues of the day, the War Advertising Council once again became known as the Ad Council. Today we continue to operate as a national nonpartisan 501c3, building innovative campaigns to educate, unite and uplift.
1947
The Advisory Committee on Public Issues was established to help identify the most pressing issues that the Ad Council would be in a unique position to address through its one-of-a-kind model. The committee lives on to this day.
1950s
1950
Eleanor Roosevelt and General Eisenhower appeared in anti-communism work.
1953
Our first annual Public Service Award Dinner took place, beginning our longstanding tradition of honoring executives for their philanthropy and fundraising for our campaigns.
1958
The campaign promoting the Salk polio vaccine began, ultimately resulting in 80% of the at-risk population getting immunized.
1960s
1961
The Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love.
Our campaign to raise awareness for President Kennedy’s Peace Corps program launched with one of the advertising industry’s most well-known slogans: “The Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love.”
Alongside ad agency Young & Rubicam, the Ad Council created work that promoted public service in foreign countries while appealing to people across America—by 1965, more than a thousand people were clipping and mailing coupons from the ads every week.
The campaign lasted for 30 years.
Alongside ad agency Young & Rubicam, the Ad Council created work that promoted public service in foreign countries while appealing to people across America—by 1965, more than a thousand people were clipping and mailing coupons from the ads every week.
The campaign lasted for 30 years.
1970s
1971
An anti-pollution campaign for Keep America Beautiful launched, featuring an Indigenous character known then as “Crying Indian.” The campaign won two Clio Awards, and by its end in 1983, had helped reduce littering by 88 percent.
The titular character was played by an actor then known as Iron Eyes Cody, who had played Indigenous roles in Hollywood films for decades. After his death in 1999, it was confirmed that he was not of Indigenous heritage as he had claimed.
Today, we also acknowledge that the term “Crying Indian” is not how we would refer to an Indigenous person.
The titular character was played by an actor then known as Iron Eyes Cody, who had played Indigenous roles in Hollywood films for decades. After his death in 1999, it was confirmed that he was not of Indigenous heritage as he had claimed.
Today, we also acknowledge that the term “Crying Indian” is not how we would refer to an Indigenous person.
1972
A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Waste
The beginning of a decades-long campaign to encourage Americans to support UNCF, “A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Waste” was launched.
The campaign has helped raise more than $2.2 billion and has helped to graduate more than 350,000 minority students from college or beyond. The slogan has remained unchanged for decades and has become part of the American vernacular.
The campaign has helped raise more than $2.2 billion and has helped to graduate more than 350,000 minority students from college or beyond. The slogan has remained unchanged for decades and has become part of the American vernacular.
1978
McGruff the Crime Dog was created with the intention of improving neighborhood safety at the local level.
1980s
1982
Nancy Reagan asked America to “Just Say No” to drugs.
1983
Buzzed Driving Prevention
A new campaign to prevent drunk driving was born. Since launching, more than 68% of Americans report that they have tried to prevent someone from driving after drinking. Well-known slogans have included “Drunk Driving Can Kill a Friendship” and “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.”
1984
For the first time, due to the recently passed Communications Act, major media companies were no longer legally obligated to donate support our work, and yet voluntary donated support from our partners exceeded $1 billion.
1985
Vince and Larry
Two of the most iconic characters in our history started encouraging Americans to buckle up.
In 1985, only 21% of Americans were buckling their seat belts. Enter Vince and Larry, two bantering crash test dummies with a penchant for slapstick. Their message to Americans was simple: don’t be a dummy, and buckle up. The pair became so popular that they had their own line of action figures. They retired in 1999 and are estimated to have saved over 85,000 lives.
Now, the seat belt use rate number is at 90.4%, making Vince and Larry part of one of the most successful public service advertising efforts in history.
In 1985, only 21% of Americans were buckling their seat belts. Enter Vince and Larry, two bantering crash test dummies with a penchant for slapstick. Their message to Americans was simple: don’t be a dummy, and buckle up. The pair became so popular that they had their own line of action figures. They retired in 1999 and are estimated to have saved over 85,000 lives.
Now, the seat belt use rate number is at 90.4%, making Vince and Larry part of one of the most successful public service advertising efforts in history.
1988
At a time when AIDS was extremely stigmatized and information was scarce, our campaign encouraged people to wear condoms for protection. This was the first time the word “condom” was used in a commercial.
2000s
2001
I Am an American
Within days after 9/11, the Ad Council led the industry response with new work called “I Am an American.” The widely acclaimed ad emphasized the rich diversity of our country by featuring people of many ethnicities looking in the camera and simply saying, "I am an American.”
2009
As part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative, new work launched to address childhood obesity.
2010s
2015
Love Has No Labels
Our iconic Love Has No Labels campaign champions our shared humanity through a lens of love. The video immediately went viral, becoming one of YouTube’s ten most-watched videos of the year, and won an Emmy for Outstanding Commercial—the first time a PSA received the honor. To date, the video has been viewed on YouTube more than 170 million times.
2018
Suicide Prevention (Teen and Young Adult Mental Health)
In partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the JED Foundation, Seize the Awkward launched to empower young adults to talk to each other about mental health. The campaign went on to receive the Shorty Award for Best Use of a Spokesperson for its partnership with Billie Eilish.
2020s
2020
Coronavirus Response
In March, 2020, in partnership with the White House, CDC, HHS, and major media companies, the Ad Council launched its industry-leading response to the COVID-19 pandemic, rapidly and consistently getting people the information they needed to slow the spread.
At the same time, many existing campaigns including Love Has No Labels and Seize the Awkward pivoted to address rising hate and mental health issues.
At the same time, many existing campaigns including Love Has No Labels and Seize the Awkward pivoted to address rising hate and mental health issues.
2021
It's Up To You
And in the largest and most urgent communications effort in American history, the Ad Council, COVID Collaborative and more than 300 cross-sector partners launched the COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative.
The unprecedented initiative featured multiple campaigns designed to reach various hesitant communities, and featured Dr. Anthony Fauci, four American presidents, thirteen sports leagues, and 1,250 influencers—as well as vast networks of local health experts, pharmacists, faith-based groups and many, many more.
The unprecedented initiative featured multiple campaigns designed to reach various hesitant communities, and featured Dr. Anthony Fauci, four American presidents, thirteen sports leagues, and 1,250 influencers—as well as vast networks of local health experts, pharmacists, faith-based groups and many, many more.
2022...and Beyond
2022...And Beyond
On July 6th, we relaunched our completely reimagined Creators for Good program, which leverages learnings from the COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative to inform our influencer and trusted messenger engagement strategy.
In the years since, we have launched four large-scale initiatives to address mental health, the overdose crisis, hate, and gun violence. Alongside our incredible partners, we won’t stop until together we have created a culture where every single person can thrive.
In the years since, we have launched four large-scale initiatives to address mental health, the overdose crisis, hate, and gun violence. Alongside our incredible partners, we won’t stop until together we have created a culture where every single person can thrive.
Our Current Work
We are committed to working together to create a culture where everyone can thrive. Our current work addresses mental health, gun violence, hate, the overdose crisis, and so much more.