Advertising Awards

Issa Rae to be honored by American Advertising Federation

By Reel 360
August 23, 2024

The American Advertising Federation (AAF) has unveiled its latest class of inductees for the AAF Advertising Hall of Achievement (AHOA). The organization will also present the Cultural Force Award to Issa Rae, a writer, producer, actress, and entrepreneur whose impact on advertising and culture exemplifies the dynamic contributions recognized by the Hall of Achievement.

This prestigious honor recognizes individuals aged 40 and younger who are driving innovation and leadership in advertising. The 2024 inductees will be celebrated at the AHOA Induction Ceremonies and Dinner, presented by TikTok, on Thursday, November 21 at Pier Sixty in New York City. This year, for the second consecutive time, the ceremonies will be held in prime time.

“The AAF Advertising Hall of Achievement, now in its 32nd year, continues to inspire and motivate our industry. It serves as a benchmark for identifying and celebrating remarkable leaders who are making a significant impact on advertising and serving as cultural forces for good,” said Steve Pacheco, President & CEO of the AAF. “This year’s inductees exemplify the gold standard in creativity and leadership.”

The 2024 inductees, selected through a rigorous review process by industry leaders including former inductees and top marketers, represent a diverse range of sectors and specialties. They are:

Imani Ellis, Founder & CEO of The Creative Collective. Through her innovative event design and community-building efforts, Imani is transforming the connection between Black creatives and the experiential advertising industry. Her platform, CultureCon, is the largest gathering for Black and Brown creatives in the U.S., serving nearly 30,000 individuals annually. Imani will also receive the Jack Avrett Volunteer Spirit Award for her industry service.
Bianca Guimaraes, Partner & Executive Creative Director at Mischief @ No Fixed Address. As a founding partner of one of the world’s most in-demand creative agencies, Bianca has been pivotal in its success, contributing to its multiple Agency of the Year titles and innovative campaigns. Her career, which began in São Paulo, Brazil, exemplifies the American Advertising Dream.
Sanja Komljenovic, Founder, CEO & Executive Creative Director at ONA Creative. Sanja established ONA with a focus on social change and representation for marginalized groups. The agency has worked with major global brands and women-led startups, advocating for gender equality and social impact in advertising.
Danisha Lomax, EVP, Head of Client Inclusivity & Impact at Digitas. Danisha’s dedication to integrating DE&I into all aspects of business and her proactive involvement in community development make her a leader in driving inclusive practices in advertising.
Karen Land Short, Global Executive Creative Director & Managing Director of Sustainability at Accenture Song. Karen is known for her impactful work in sustainability, ranging from female empowerment to climate action. Her career began with a national win in AAF’s National Student Advertising Competition, and she continues to use creativity to drive positive change.
Neil Waller, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Whalar Group. Neil has revolutionized the influencer marketing landscape, leading Whalar Group to become a global leader in creator collaborations. His innovative approach includes applying neuroscience to enhance marketing strategies.
Melanie L. Washington, Esq., Principal and Head of Global Contract Advisory at MediaLink. Melanie’s expertise in contract optimization has reshaped how brands and agencies structure deals. Known as the “Contract Whisperer,” she has influenced $45 billion in global media spend through her groundbreaking work.
Marques E. Zak, Head of Multicultural Marketing at American Express. Marques is a strategic marketer with a focus on creativity and culture. His initiatives at American Express support underrepresented business owners and celebrate diverse cultural experiences.

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Christena Pyle, Co-Chair of the 2024 AHOA Council of Judges and Chief Equity Officer at dentsu Americas, highlighted the significance of this year’s inductees: “This class stands out for their focus on innovation and impact. They are shaping the future of advertising while giving back to their communities.”

The 2024 inductees will be featured in upcoming segments of AAF’s podcast series, Future Legends of Advertising, co-produced with iHeartMedia and Known. The series pairs Hall of Achievement honorees with industry leaders to discuss current issues and trends.

The AHOA induction ceremonies will be supported by presenting sponsor TikTok, along with other sponsors including Amazon Advertising, ClearChannel Outdoor, dentsu, Digitas, Google, iHeartMedia, Known, MediaLink, Omnicom, and Spotify.

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The 2024 inductees, selected through a rigorous review process by industry leaders including former inductees and top marketers, represent a diverse range of sectors and specialties. They are:

Imani Ellis, Founder & CEO of The Creative Collective. Through her innovative event design and community-building efforts, Imani is transforming the connection between Black creatives and the experiential advertising industry. Her platform, CultureCon, is the largest gathering for Black and Brown creatives in the U.S., serving nearly 30,000 individuals annually. Imani will also receive the Jack Avrett Volunteer Spirit Award for her industry service.
Bianca Guimaraes, Partner & Executive Creative Director at Mischief @ No Fixed Address. As a founding partner of one of the world’s most in-demand creative agencies, Bianca has been pivotal in its success, contributing to its multiple Agency of the Year titles and innovative campaigns. Her career, which began in São Paulo, Brazil, exemplifies the American Advertising Dream.
Sanja Komljenovic, Founder, CEO & Executive Creative Director at ONA Creative. Sanja established ONA with a focus on social change and representation for marginalized groups. The agency has worked with major global brands and women-led startups, advocating for gender equality and social impact in advertising.
Danisha Lomax, EVP, Head of Client Inclusivity & Impact at Digitas. Danisha’s dedication to integrating DE&I into all aspects of business and her proactive involvement in community development make her a leader in driving inclusive practices in advertising.
Karen Land Short, Global Executive Creative Director & Managing Director of Sustainability at Accenture Song. Karen is known for her impactful work in sustainability, ranging from female empowerment to climate action. Her career began with a national win in AAF’s National Student Advertising Competition, and she continues to use creativity to drive positive change.
Neil Waller, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Whalar Group. Neil has revolutionized the influencer marketing landscape, leading Whalar Group to become a global leader in creator collaborations. His innovative approach includes applying neuroscience to enhance marketing strategies.
Melanie L. Washington, Esq., Principal and Head of Global Contract Advisory at MediaLink. Melanie’s expertise in contract optimization has reshaped how brands and agencies structure deals. Known as the “Contract Whisperer,” she has influenced $45 billion in global media spend through her groundbreaking work.
Marques E. Zak, Head of Multicultural Marketing at American Express. Marques is a strategic marketer with a focus on creativity and culture. His initiatives at American Express support underrepresented business owners and celebrate diverse cultural experiences.