June 25, 2010

Connie Frazier promoted to COO of American Advertising Federation

James Edmund Datri, President and CEO of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), today announced that Constance Cannon Frazier, currently Executive Vice President of Corporate Programming and Development, has been named Chief Operating Officer, effective August 1. Frazier will succeed Jeffry L. Perlman (current COO since November 2008), who is retiring after 19 years of service to the AAF. Her appointment makes Frazier the highest-ranking African-American woman at a national advertising trade association.

"Connie Frazier's selection as the next Chief Operating Officer of the AAF is an exciting and historic choice -- the first African-American woman to serve in that role at any national advertising trade association," said Datri. "Her strong leadership has been central in building many of the AAF's signature initiatives into the successes they are today. She was the obvious choice to fill the big shoes left by the departure of Jeffry Perlman. She is going to be a fantastic COO for the Federation."

Frank Cooper, chairman of the AAF Board of Directors and SVP, Chief Consumer Engagement Officer of PepsiCo Americas Beverages, said: “Both the AAF and the entire advertising industry benefit from the selection of Connie Frazier as the next COO of the AAF. Her leadership and commitment to the AAF has opened new doors for future leaders of the advertising industry and has expanded the possibilities of what we can be as an industry. We know that she will carry that commitment with her as she becomes the next Chief Operating Officer of the AAF.”

"I am honored to be named Chief Operating Officer of the American Advertising Federation, an organization recognized as being in the vanguard of innovation, enterprise and inclusiveness,” said Frazier.

“We will expand our outreach to advertisers, agencies, media professionals and students across this nation to ensure that our members are served during these challenging and exciting times. Our agenda will remain action-oriented--offering the finest programs, fostering unique connections, and serving the public interest. As the Unifying Voice of the Advertising Industry, AAF will continue to lead the way as our industry continues to converge and expand.”

Reporting directly to CEO Datri, Frazier will manage the AAF’s day-to-day operations (financial, programmatic, and human resources), implement programs and systems to advance the organization’s effectiveness, and execute the Strategic Plan developed by the CEO. She will also assist the CEO with the retention and development of corporate, professional and college chapter membership. Furthermore, she will continue leadership of the Mosaic Center and AAF’s efforts to create a more inclusive advertising industry.

Since joining the AAF in 2004, Frazier’s accomplishments include increasing corporate support of diversity programs, doubling the number of participants and financial support for the Most Promising Minority Students Program, launching the AAF Mosaic Career & Vendor Fairs and creating the first-ever AAF student conference.

The American Advertising Federation (AAF), headquartered in Washington, D.C., acts as the Unifying Voice for Advertising. The AAF is the oldest national advertising trade association, representing 40,000 professionals in the advertising industry and 8000 advertising students. The AAF has a national network of 200 Ad Clubs located in ad communities across the country. Through its 226 college chapters, the AAF provides students with real-world case studies and recruitment connections to corporate America. The AAF also has nearly 100 blue-chip corporate members that are advertisers, agencies and media companies, comprising the nation’s leading brands and corporations. For more information, visit the AAF’s Web site at www.aaf.org.