• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, December 3, 2021

The Ad Council raised a record-breaking $6.4 million at its Annual Public Service Award gala in New York City Thursday night. Funds are used to support the organization and its national PSA campaigns throughout the year.

Hans Vestberg, Chairman and CEO of Verizon, was honored for his exceptional contributions to corporate citizenship, including his support for the Ad Council’s COVID-19 Vaccination Education Initiative.

This year’s gala was held at Glasshouse and emceed by actor Terry Crews, news anchor Stephanie Ruhle and comedian Kenan Thompson. Also featured was a live performance from the Northwell Health Nurse Choir and a virtual appearance from late-night TV host Seth Meyers.

“The Annual Dinner is a remarkable opportunity to celebrate the power of purpose, and this year it felt particularly special,” said Lisa Sherman, President and CEO of the Ad Council. “Over the past two years we have seen our industry’s most innovative and impactful work yet, as we pivoted to address the significant needs of living through a global pandemic. The impact of this unprecedented industry collaboration changed millions of lives and saved even more. We are truly better together.”

This year’s dinner was co-chaired by Linda Yaccarino, Ad Council Board Chair and Chairman of Global Advertising and Partnerships at NBCUniversal, and Ad Council Board Vice Chair Diego Scotti, Chief Marketing Officer of Verizon.

Platinum sponsors included Adobe, Asurion, Comcast NBCUniversal, Disney Ad Sales, Meta, Google and Verizon. Gold sponsors included Johnson & Johnson, SHE Media, TikTok and Walmart, and silver sponsors included Fox, GroupM, The Kraft Group, Medialink, Pfizer, Publicis Groupe, SJR and Twitter.