4A’s High School Initiative Advisory Board Names Momentum Worldwide CEO Chris Weil as New Chairman

The American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s), the trade organization representing U.S. advertising agencies, has named Momentum Worldwide Chairman/CEO Chris Weil as the new Chairman of its High School Initiative Advisory Board. The group, formed in 2009, sponsors and supports the first public high schools with an advertising-focused curriculum in New York.

Weil is a global marketing leader who has shaped Momentum Worldwide into a brand experience powerhouse, leading the industry in such areas as live experience, music, sports, sponsorship, events, technology and beyond. Dedicated to transforming industry dynamics, in 2012 Chris became the first non-traditional advertising agency executive elected Chairman of the 4A’s.

“The future of our industry demands a talent revolution, and I’m excited to help champion the 4A’s powerful efforts to work with high schools to launch that revolution,” said Weil. “I’m honored to be selected, and especially honored to be able to support and connect bright young minds so full of potential, in the environment of some spectacular academic programs. We’re in a business that’s based on creative ideas, and we’ll help unleash them.”

The 4A’s High School Advisory Board was established in 2009, to provide New York City youth with access to a quality high school education specifically focused towards advertising and media. By infusing basic skills most commonly used in the advertising, design and media industry, the Board’s goal is to prepare students for careers in the communications industry and/or teach transferable communications skills needed to compete in a 21st-century job market.

“The work we’re doing to advance young talent is central to our work to ensure the prosperity of the agency world and the brands it supports, and as a longtime talent inspiration and innovator, Chris is the perfect leader for this program,” said 4A’s CEO and President Nancy Hill. “In both his 4A’s chairman tenure and in building his own worldwide agency network of diverse talent with exceptional skills, he has demonstrated the talent leadership that will move our progress forward.”

Weil steps into the role previously held by Ron Berger, former Euro RSCG executive and a founder of Advertising Week, who retired from the business and stepped down as Chair in 2014.

About the 4A’s
The 4A’s was founded in 1917 as the national trade association of the advertising industry, providing leadership, advocacy and best-practices guidelines for some 1,200 member agencies. It also serves as the liaison to government, media and the public sector. For more information, visit the 4A’s website at www.aaaa.org.

About IAM
The High School for Innovation in Advertising and Media (IAM) was established in 2008 as the first public high school dedicated to preparing students for careers in advertising and media. In 2012 the school earned certification from the City and State of New York, as an accredited institution and graduated its first class. www.iam-hs.org.

About MECA
In 2014, the 4A’s formed a partnership with CUNY and the NYC Department of Education, to establish the Manhattan Early College School for Advertising (MECA). MECA, the first six-year program dedicated to pipeline high-potential youth into our industry, will provide graduates with a credential, a high-school diploma and Associates Degree at no cost to students or families. www.meca-nyc.org.

About Momentum Worldwide
It’s not about what brands say. It’s what they do that matters. People are no longer satisfied with simply “hearing” a brand’s message; now it’s the actual experiences we have with a brand that define its relevance-emotionally, socially and when it’s time to buy. That’s why Momentum Worldwide helps brands imagine, create, curate and manage their Total Brand Experience. Our job is to create meaning and connections for the best brands in the world. We do this with expertise in business and communications strategy, idea and content creation and flawless execution across every possible touch point-including events, sponsorships, promotions, advertising, shopper and retail, music, entertainment, social, digital, product and package design and beyond. Part of the Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE:IPG), we operate in over 50 countries for partners including American Express, Coca-Cola, Mondelez, Microsoft, Walmart, William Grant & Sons and many more. www.momentumww.com and @momentumww.