Seth Meyers Hosts Ad Council's 60th Annual Public Service Award Dinner in Honor of Tim Armstrong, Chairman and CEO, AOL

Dinner Raises $3.4 Million to Support Public Service Advertising

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Nov 20, 2013, 09:05 ET

NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ad Council will honor Tim Armstrong, Chairman and CEO of AOL, with its 60^th Annual Public Service Award at the organization's Annual Dinner held tonight at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Head writer of NBC's Saturday Night Live, and "Weekend Update" anchor Seth Meyers will serve as the evening's Master of Ceremonies. The annual dinner is the Ad Council's largest fundraising event. This year, it has raised an historic $3.4 million to support the Ad Council's public service programs.

Tonight at the dinner, the Ad Council will announce Gold, Silver and Bronze Bells for Creative Excellence for three volunteer advertising agencies that developed outstanding public service advertising (PSA) campaign this past year. The winning agencies were selected by the Ad Council's Campaign Review Committee (CRC).

Attended by more than 1,300 prominent members of the media, advertising and corporate communities, the Annual Public Service Award Dinner serves as a tribute to the industries and individuals who support the Ad Council and its PSA campaigns. The dinner will be chaired by Debra L. Lee, the Chairman & CEO of BET Networks and Chair of the Ad Council's Board of Directors. Platinum sponsors include AOL and Time Warner Inc.

The Ad Council has been honoring corporate leaders for their commitment to public service since 1953. Previous honorees include Randall Stephenson, Indra Nooyi, Jeffrey Immelt, Dick Parsons, Bill Weldon, Ken Chenault, Bob Wright, Frank Bennack, Ted Turner, Katharine Graham, A.G. Lafley, Muhtar Kent and Brian Roberts.

Armstrong has demonstrated a tremendous commitment to philanthropy — both through his personal engagement and corporate activities as Chairman & CEO of AOL. Armstrong has led important philanthropic efforts such as AOL's annual Monster Help Day to inspire staff members to give back, as well as the 9/11 "National Day of Service and Remembrance." With his leadership and direction, AOL has supported every Ad Council public service campaign since he became CEO in 2009, including Internet safety and digital literacy. AOL was also a founding partner of the bullying prevention campaign.

"We are very excited to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of our dinner—honoring industry leaders for their contributions to public service," said Peggy Conlon, President & CEO of the Ad Council. "This year we are thrilled to have Seth Meyers as our host to help honor Tim Armstrong for all he has done to support the use of media and technology as tools to benefit communities throughout the world."

The Ad Council is a non-profit organization with a rich history of marshalling volunteer talent from the advertising and media industries to deliver critical messages to the American public. Having produced literally thousands of PSA campaigns addressing the most pressing social issues of the day, the Ad Council has effected, and continues to effect, tremendous positive change by raising awareness, inspiring action and saving lives. To learn more about the Ad Council and its campaigns, visit adcouncil.org.

SOURCE The Ad Council