At the Ad Council, the phrase “advertising for good” isn’t just a tagline—it’s the core of everything we do. This concept resonates deeply across our industry, and we’re fortunate to collaborate with some of the most innovative platforms that share our commitment to leveraging advertising for positive change. To bring this topic to life, Ad Council’s President and CEO, Lisa Sherman, and Smartly CEO, Laura Desmond, will lead a panel called, “Advertising for Good” at Smartly Advance.
Smartly Advance is an annual conference that brings together top brand leaders, advertisers and innovators at the intersection of social, commerce, technology and storytelling to explore the evolving landscape of advertising and its impact on key social issues.
The panel will feature leaders from the world’s biggest tech platforms, who have not only partnered with us in addressing critical issues like mental health but have also actively co-created impactful campaigns that resonate across diverse audiences. Together, they will examine how advertising can support mental health awareness—sharing insights and strategies to drive meaningful change and foster a more inclusive and open society.
Let’s find out who will be sharing the stage with Lisa and Laura!
Judy Toland
Vice President, Global Audience Marketing, Meta
Judy Toland is an award-winning marketing leader with nearly 30 years of experience in marketing strategy and innovation. At Meta, she drives efforts to align purpose with profit, ensuring that their advertising is a force for good. Judy's experience leveraging digital platforms to address social issues makes her a key contributor to the panel. Her insights into how brands can collaborate to support mental health and drive positive change will be crucial in shaping a more inclusive and proactive approach to advertising.
Sean Downey
President, Americas & Global Partners, Google
Sean Downey is a top leader in leveraging AI and digital tools to drive meaningful social impact. At Google, he has been instrumental in bringing a human touch to technology–leveraging data and technology to create more personalized and effective advertising strategies. His perspective on the AI revolution as an opportunity for greater creativity and problem-solving makes him a vital voice in the conversation about advertising’s role in promoting mental health and wellness.
Bill Watkins
Chief Revenue Officer, Pinterest
Bill Watkins brings a wealth of experience in digital media and monetization to the panel. Since joining Pinterest as one of its first employees, Bill has been pivotal in shaping the company's advertising strategy and driving global revenue growth. His deep understanding of technology and business will add a one-of-a-kind perspective to the conversation, including innovative advertising strategies to drive impact and support mental health initiatives.
Blake Chandlee
President, Global Business Solutions, TikTok
Blake Chandlee leads TikTok's global business strategy, specializing in developing strong partnerships and driving innovation in digital advertising. As a key player in shaping TikTok’s approach to social impact, Blake will offer a unique perspective on how platforms can harness advertising to promote mental health awareness. His forward-thinking approach to merging technology with social impact will inspire new ways to think about advertising’s role in promoting mental health awareness.
Patrick Harris
President, Americas, Snap
Patrick Harris, a notable figure in the advertising industry and member of the Ad Council’s Board of Directors, will join the panel to share his expertise in building impactful partnerships across the tech and advertising industries. At Snap, he leads efforts to build strategic partnerships with agencies, ad-tech firms, media companies and creators—emphasizing the importance of fostering inclusive communities through technology and innovation. Patrick’s focus on fostering collaboration and advancing advertising solutions will add a forward-thinking perspective to the conversation.
Whether it’s fostering safe digital environments, supporting mental health, or driving responsible business growth, our industry is leading the way in making “advertising for good” a reality. When we come together with shared values and a commitment to positive change, the impact we can achieve is truly remarkable.
We’re excited to see the insights and inspiration that will emerge from this panel and to continue our work in partnership with these incredible platforms. Together, we can ensure that doing good is not just an aspiration but a standard in our industry.