For release Jan. 11, 2010
Women of all generations to benefit from “the best advice” at The Ad Club’s Women’s Leadership Forum
Social-media campaign will gather “the best advice” ever received from women for a published book and will help select a “rising star”

The Ad Club’s Women’s Leadership Forum
March 24, 2010 11:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Networking/Cocktail Reception: 5:30-6:30
Location: Mandarin Oriental Hotel

BOSTON, Mass. – Basketball Hall of Famer and Olympian Nancy Lieberman would like to share the best advice she ever got – “never stop working, wanting or dreaming.” The advice has paid off. She was recently appointed the first female to lead an NBA Development League team as the head coach of the Frisco, TX D-League squad.

This year The Ad Club has made it a mission to uncover the “best advice” many successful women have benefited from over their careers. On Wednesday, March 24, the club’s annual Women’s Leadership Forum will present an afternoon of discussions with forward-thinking women from a variety of career paths and generations. Based on the theme “The Best Advice I Ever Got,” speakers will share some of the best advice they’ve been given, as well as some of their own advice to help other women turn dreams into reality. Lieberman is one of many who will share her story.

“This event is designed for women of all stages of their professional careers, as well as men who want to see them succeed. The event will also focus strongly on mentoring,” said Kathy Kiely, president of The Ad Club. “We are encouraging each attendee to bring a young woman who he or she mentors. This is a great opportunity to recognize and reward the outstanding women in your camp who are doing a phenomenal job.”

Susan Retik-Ger, the founder of a philanthropic organization that supports Afghani widows called “Beyond the 11th,” will also speak at the event. Her advice? “You can’t always choose the roles you play but you can choose the way in which you play them.”

Additional speakers include Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral; Hill Holliday President Karen Kaplan, one of Advertising Age’s “Women to Watch” in advertising, marketing and media; Ellyn Spragins, the author of “If I’d Known Then” and “What I Know Now;” Massachusetts College of Art and Design President Katherine Sloan; Communispace President and CEO Diane Hessan; Boston Globe Chief Advertising Officer Lisa DeSisto; Shaunti Feldhahn, author of “The Male Factor;” and Rhodes Scholars Jean Junior and Eva Lam. A complete list of speakers is located on the event site.

In keeping with the theme, The Ad Club is inviting all women to visit its Facebook and Twitter pages to submit some of their own “best advice” via text or video. The social media campaign launched on January 19 and The Ad Club will continue to gather “best advice” submissions throughout February and most of March. Attendees of the event will receive a book featuring the advice quotes from both speakers and social media participants.

A “Rising Star Award” recipient will also be selected through online submissions. The Ad Club is accepting nominees of talented young women under the age of 30 to receive this first-time award. The winner will presented at the Women’s Leadership Forum and will receive a one-year “scholarship” from The Ad Club. The scholarship includes a one-year membership to The Ad Club and the exclusive “ClinkedIn” young professionals networking group, two free tickets to all 2010 events, a chance to meet executive-level members at a future Trustee Dinner event and an invitation to present the 2011 “Rising Star Award.”

Staples is the presenting sponsor of the 2010 Women’s Leadership Forum. Additional sponsors include Bank of America, Google, Ocean Spray, The Wall Street Journal and Welch’s.

Location and Tickets:
The Ad Club’s annual Women’s Leadership Forum will be held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, located at 776 Boylston Street in Boston, on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A one-hour networking and cocktail reception will follow. Please check the event website for additional information and updates.

About The Ad Club:
Founded in 1904, The Ad Club is the trade group for the New England communications industry. Focused on networking, professional development, advocacy, and diversity, The Ad Club organizes more than 30 events and programs every year. Legacy events such as the Hatch Awards, Media Auction, and Rosoff Awards highlight and celebrate the latest in new media and the digital landscape. The Ad Club’s membership represents the best in class advertising agencies, media companies, and brands in the New England region.

For more information on The Ad Club, visit www.adclub.org and follow The Ad Club on Twitter and Facebook.
Contact: Marsha MacEachern
(marsha@adclub.org 617-456-1776)