AD Agencies
Madison Avenue’s young guns storm the Hall of Achievement
NEW YORK: Nearly 500 guests packed Pier Sixty in New York on what organisers bill as “the most inspiring night in advertising.” They weren’t wrong. The American Advertising Federation rolled out the red carpet for eight fresh inductees into its Hall of Achievement, whilst supermodel and entrepreneur Ashley Graham scooped a special cultural force award.
For 33 years, the Hall of Achievement has set the gold standard for recognising advertising talent aged 40 and under. It’s a stamp of approval that matters in an industry obsessed with the next big thing. Content creator Eric Sedeño hosted the gala, which doubled as both celebration and validation for a cohort redefining how brands talk to consumers.
The selection process doesn’t mess about. Nominees who meet the criteria face scrutiny from a council of judges comprising Hall of Achievement alumni and top industry executives. Two rounds of voting separate the contenders from the chosen. The American Advertising Federation, which also runs the Advertising Hall of Fame, has turned the under-40 honour into a career-defining moment.
Graham’s cultural force award recognises her impact beyond the catwalk. The model has built a business empire whilst championing body positivity and reshaping beauty standards—the kind of cultural shift that makes advertising executives sit up and take notice.
At 33 years old, the Hall of Achievement shows no signs of losing its lustre. In an industry where youth drives innovation and disruption pays dividends, getting inducted before hitting 40 remains the ultimate flex.
This year’s list of inductees cuts across industries, companies, business size and culture. From left to right:
Front row seated:
Alison Levin: NBCUniversal president, advertising & partnerships.
Abi Evans: Dentsu Creative chief growth officer. Abi was also honored with the Jack Avrett Volunteer Spirit Award in recognition of her service to the industry.
Amie Owen: IPG Mediabrands chief commerce officer.
Jason Schulweis: The Female Quotient former chief Commercial officer.
Back row standing:
Orlando Baeza: Chime VP of brand and creative.
Charlotte Tansill: Ogilvy North America president, PR, social & influence.
Ashley Graham: presented the AAF’s Special Cultural Force Award.
Paolo Provinciali: LinkedIn VP marketing – growth, performance & operations.
AD Agencies
Tawana Burnett to lead social and influencer jury at Abby Awards 2026
Meta’s Apac leader takes the reins for Abby Awards, adding flair to social content
MUMBAI: Tawana Burnett, Meta’s Head of Top Accounts and Agencies for Apac, has been named jury chair for the new social content and influencer ,arketing category at the Abby Awards 2026, powered by The One Club | The One Show.
With a 25-year career spanning the US, EMEA, Latam, and Apac, Tawana has worked on campaigns for some of the world’s biggest brands and leading advertising agencies. At Meta, she guides CMOs, business leaders, and agencies on harnessing digital and emerging advertising solutions to accelerate brand growth.
Before joining Meta, Tawana led award-winning product teams at Intuit, LeapFrog, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer, helping launch iconic products including QuickBooks, Listerine, Advil, and ChapStick.
A champion of diversity, she was featured in Adweek’s Women Trailblazers in 2019 for mentoring more than 15 women-led startups and for her work on the #biascorrect campaign that promotes women in leadership. She was also recognised in Ad Age’s Global Leading Women Class of 2023, The List in 2024, and served as juror for Spikes Asia and Mad Stars 2024.
Tawana has held leadership roles in the Singapore Inclusion Council at Meta, the IAB SouthEast Asia & India Board, and currently serves on the boards of IAA SEA and the Ronald McDonald House in New York City. Originally from New York, she now lives in Singapore with her husband and daughter.
The Abby Awards 2026, presented by The One Club | The One Show, will be held during Goafest 2026 from 20 to 22 May in Goa, celebrating creativity across the region.
