Publicis New York chairman Linda Kaplan Thaler was recently inducted into the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Fame, an immense honour recognizing her lifetime of award-winning work in the industry. As a Hall of Fame member, Linda, whose name adorned her very own Publicis office until this summer, joins the ranks of advertising legends such as Raymond Rubicam, Leo Burnett and Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet, the founder of Publicis. Linda was understandably overwhelmed by the honour and the moving tribute created by her friends, family and colleagues, taking to the stage with a tear in her eye and simply declaring: “I’m so glad I splurged for the waterproof mascara at Duane Reade.”
Prior to merging with Publicis New York in 2012, Linda was CEO and Chief Creative Officer of the Kaplan Thaler Group, which she founded in 1997 and grew from a fledgling start-up to a company with over a billion dollars in billings. She is responsible for some of the most famous campaigns in the advertising industry, like the daring “Yes, Yes, Yes” spot for Clairol Herbal Essences, which revived a struggling brand and put the Kaplan Thaler Group on the map.
Publicis New York chairman Linda Kaplan Thaler was recently inducted into the AAF Hall of Fame, recognizing her lifetime of award-winning work in the industry
Linda developed the memorable “Kodak Moment” campaign and composed the famous Toys “R” Us “I Don’t Want to Grow Up” song, one of advertising’s most iconic jingles. She also created the Aflac duck and many other campaigns that have become part of the American pop-culture landscape. She has won every major award show in the advertising industry, including 13 Clio Awards, and has been recognized by leading women’s organizations. She even lent her talents to the presidential campaigns of Bill Clinton in 1992, and Hillary Clinton in 2008. Today, Thaler is Chairman of the flagship US Publicis shop, whose blue-chip client roster includes: P&G, Citi, Nestle, L’Oreal, Merck, Pfizer, Tri-Honda and Wendy’s, among many others.
In terms of extra-curricular activities, she also happens to be a best-selling author, television personality and sought-after public speaker, and has published three book collaborations with co-author Robin Koval that have all received national recognition. Their latest title, GRIT to GREAT: How Perseverance, Passion and Pluck Can Take You from Ordinary to Extraordinary, was released earlier this year. The book uses their highly successful rise in the New York advertising arena as the backdrop to explain that they weren't considered brilliant, talented or destined for greatness, but earned their extraordinary success through steadfast determination, stamina and resilience.
Other honourees inducted this year included John B. Adams Jr, Lee, Spike Lee, Catherine L. Hughes, Bob Pittman, Charles Porter and Michael J Fox
A native New Yorker, Linda was a Phi Beta Kappa and Magna cum Laude graduate of CCNY. Linda also currently sits on the Advisory Council for The Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at CCNY. This year’s Advertising Hall of Fame honourees also included John B. Adams Jr (chairman of The Martin Agency), Lee Clow (TBWA\Media Arts Lab chairman), Spike Lee (yes, that Spike Lee), Catherine L. Hughes (founder of Radio One Inc.), Bob Pittman (CEO of iHeartMedia), Charles Porter (CP+B founder) and Michael J Fox (yes, that Michael J. Fox). For more information about all the 2015 inductee’s, visit the AAF Hall of Fame website.
