The advertising industry is known for its highly competitive, at times very egotistical people who barely exchange pleasantries, let alone work together. However, the need for a better future, and a better world has encouraged all to set aside differences and come together in a collective effort to create multi levels of a master campaign for good.
Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations took the stage to set the tone of what has led to industry chiefs joining hands. "I understand that this is the biggest gathering of Mad Men; I am sorry but I have been told that that is some kind of a compliment. I have come here today for your help, and here is my pitch..."
Ki-moon's words connected with one and all in the audience. His 'pitch' began with stating that walking together, created a better world. "You have the tremendous power to shape opinion and you are master story tellers. I am asking you to create the biggest campaign ever for humanity that leaves no one behind."
He pointed out that the world needed sustainability development and that none of its goals could be achieved by any one person or country. "We need all hands on deck -- the community, the civil society, the academia, the private sector and the advertising industry. CSR is important but we need to go further to touch every aspect of life," he added.
He pointed to including the industry's young talent and its women talent that he believes would double productivity. "I invite all to be part of something bigger, and help us transform this world with your innovation and creativity that is second to none," Ki-moon said.
His plea transcend differences for greater good was well heard as he was soon joined on stage by the advertising business' top leaders who put aside differences and arguably rose to an impossible task.
Yannick Bollore, Chairman and CEO, Havas; Michael Roth, Chairman and CEO, IPG; Sir Martin Sorrell, Founder & CEO, WPP; John Wren CEO, Omnicom and Maurice Levy, Chairman and CEO, Publicis Groupe took the stage to speak about the different causes such as water and sanitisation, education, food scarcity and imbalanced distribution, gender balance that each Holding Company was going to support with help from all its business.
The leaders spoke of shared efforts and a collective vision that was above everything else, and where the advertising professionals can make a difference.
