• April 29, 2008

Datri will assume leadership of the American Advertising Federation on Nov. 1, following a transition period that will begin in September. Datri's election by the board of directors concludes a process that commenced in September upon the announcement of the retirement of current President/CEO Wallace Snyder.

Datri is a partner in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery in McDermott's Government Strategies Practice Group, based in Washington, D.C. A 1992 Harvard Law graduate, he served as executive director of the Democratic Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 to 2005.

He is well-known within Washington, D.C. for his leadership in government and public policy and was named five times to Roll Call's "Fabulous Fifty" list of the 50 most influential advisers and strategists on Capitol Hill. Datri served for more than a decade in senior positions in the U.S. Congress and was previously a partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, an AAF member. He has a long track record of engagement with advertising industry issues and concerns and worked with the AAF during the foundation of the Mosaic Center on Multiculturalism.

--Nina M. Lentini