Advisory Board

David Sable has been Chief Executive Officer of Young & Rubicam, Inc. since February 2011 and has been its Chairman of the Board since 2012. He has served in high-profile positions in advertising, direct marketing, and public relations with global clients as diverse as Microsoft, Citibank, Kraft, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Colgate-Palmolive, Bausch and Lomb, and the US Postal Service (among others who count on his strategic insight and ability to connect talent across marketing disciplines and geographies). He was appointed by the Mayor of the City of New York, Michael R. Bloomberg, to serve as a member of the Cultural Advisory Committee of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. He is a Member of the Executive Board and Chairman of the Marketing Committee of the United Jewish Federation's (UJA) New York chapter. David is a frequent speaker at industry events, including the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, Venice Festival of Media, International Post Corporation, Direct Marketing Association, Australian Direct Marketing Association, and the Israel Policy Forum. David's belief could be BIC's mantra as well: "Do it big or stay in bed."

 

 

During Barri Friedman Rafferty’s tenure at Ketchum, she has held several different roles to support the agency’s overall business goals, including overseeing the global brand marketing practice and running the New York, Atlanta and Dallas offices. She also oversaw specialty units such as digital, entertainment, sports, and multicultural, some of which have since grown into full-fledged complementary businesses. She is part of the nine-member Worldwide Executive Committee, which focuses on guiding the strategy, client service and performance of the agency. Rafferty has a legacy of client service and continues to advise many of the agency’s largest clients, including Gillette, P&G, Frito Lay, Weight Watchers, Ikea, Chase and Mattel. Outside of Ketchum, she participates in a number of groups, such as the sustainability task force for the World Economic Forum. She is also active in the Public Relations Society of America New York Chapter and is a former chapter president. In 2012, she received the PRSA President’s Award for her many contributions. 

 

 

Rob Norman oversees the activities of the world’s largest buyer of online media with more than $5 billion in billings. In this role, he develops the digital capabilities within GroupM while establishing thought leadership positioning in the digital space and contributing to each agency’s business development. Prior to taking this role in 2012, Rob served as CEO of GroupM North America where he was responsible for the general management as well as strategic and administrative activities at each of GroupM’s four media agencies. Rob was named a Media Maven by Advertising Age in 2007. He sits on the advisory board of WPP Digital, the venture arm of GroupM parent company WPP, and is a member of the Board of Governors of the Center for the Digital Future at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication. He also is on the board of the 4A’s, and the Ad Council and leads GroupM’s diversity efforts, including a scholarship program at City College New York. 

 

 

Best selling author, television personality, and chairman of Publicis Kaplan Thaler, Linda is a proud alumna of City College (with both a Bachelor's and a Master's from CCNY). In her stellar career, she's created advertising so memorable that it's part of American pop culture, including enduring campaigns for Toys R' Us, Clairol Herbal Essence, and Aflac. As Chairman of the US flagship office of Publicis Worldwide, she oversees a roster of blue-chip clients such as P&G, CITI, Nestle, and L'Oreal. Previously, Linda was CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Kaplan Thaler Group, which she founded in 1997 and grew from a fledgling start-up to a company with over $1 billion in billings. The co-author of three industry "must reads," including Bang! and The Power of Nice, Linda's currently working on her newest book about GRIT as the true key to success. Among her numerous honors, she was recognized in 2012 by Advertising Age as one of the "100 Most Influential Women in Advertising."

 

 

George Lois is the most creative, prolific advertising communicator of our time. Running his own ad agencies, he is renowned for dozens of marketing miracles that triggered innovative and populist changes in American (and world) culture. In his twenties, he was a pioneer of the landmark Creative Revolution in American Advertising. He’s also the author of numerous books, including the recent Damn Good Advice (for people with Talent). In 2008, the Museum of Modern Art installed 38 of his iconic Esquire covers in its permanent collection.

 

On BIC, he says: “The best branding and communications program I’ve seen these days is BIC! Really impressive! I’ve had the privilege to speak to students at CCNY and gave them Damn Good Advice. The knowledgeable and passionate teaching staff, and the excitement and receptiveness of their students was extraordinary, giving me hope for the future of creativity in mass communications in America."

 

 

Rob Schwartz was once described as a "CEO's Creative Director." In other words, the rare creative person who is fascinated by all aspects of a business and finds ways to create breakthrough platforms and campaigns that get results and build brands. He has since transformed from CCO to CEO and is currently Chief Executive Officer of TBWA\Chiat\Day New York. Since Rob took over in 2015, the New York office has experienced a period of tremendous growth, with 14 new business wins in a mere 18 months. 


 

Throughout his career, Rob has spearheaded work for blue-chip brands including Nissan, McDonald's, Pepsi, Thomson Reuters and Visa, to name but a few. Along the way he has won nearly every advertising award including Grand Effies, Cannes Lions, and One Show pencils. He has also been a Cannes Lions Jury President and jury member. 


 

Rob was recognized as ThinkLA's "Leader of the Year." And is considered one of Adweek's "25 Voices to Follow in Social Media." He also lends his voice to Forbes and Campaign where he is a popular and regular contributor. A few more facts about him?


 

Rob is a board member of the 4As.


 

He is a Friar at the Friars Club.


 

He has been a guest lecturer at Stanford, Harvard, USC, UCLA, CCNY and Yale.


 

And he's an original "Manbassador" of the 3% Conference.