The Advertising Club of New York, also known as The Ad Club and originally called the Sphinx Club, is an advertising industry group promoting self-regulation, professional training and good fellowship. The Advertising Club of New York is the only organization to bring the industry together across all disciplines – marketing, media and agencies – in the name of exchanging ideas and best practices for business and thought leadership. Offering the community access to conversations and key influencers, inspiration and recognition for creativity, the best training for professional development, and a movement for diversity. Origins In 1896, a group of eight advertising men in New York City began meeting for lunch on a regular basis to share ideas on the business that sustained them. They called themselves the Sphinx Club, and in 1906 the growing group incorporated as the Advertising Men's League, ultimately becoming The Advertising Club of New York in 1915. Most of The Ad Club's early years were spent at the landmark Stanford White building at 23 Park Avenue, where Ad Club members, including the young Bill Paley, J.C. Penney, and Bill Bernbach, conducted business in the main dining room over lunch. Initiatives 1906: First formal course in advertising to be offered by an educational institution at New York University (NYU). 1911: The first supporter of the "truth in advertising" program, which remains a hallmark of consumer protection and formed the first "Vigilance Committee", which evolved into today's Better Business Bureau. 1923: Held the first-ever advertising exposition at the 71st Regiment Armory to much acclaim, with an attendance of over 58,000. 1949: Founded the Advertising Hall of Fame immortalizing 10 giants of our industry the first year, and many more until it was turned over to the American Advertising Federation in 1973. 1964: Founded the International ANDY Awards to recognize creative excellence in advertising and to raise the standards of craftsmanship in industry. List of presidents 2005-Present Gina Grillo, Executive Director 2003–2005 Renee V. H. Simons, Managing Director, J P Morgan Chase 2001 - 2003 Robert Mate, VP/Publishing Director, Meredith Corporation 1999 - 2001 Carla Loffredo, Sr. Partner/Director, Brand Comm, J. Walter Thompson 1998 - 1999 Steven Farella, jordanmcgrathcase & partners 1997 - 1998 Joanne Davis, Bozell Worldwide 1996 - 1997 R. Jeffrey Petersen, Architectural Digest 1995 - 1996 Ronald S. Fierman, Warwick Baker O'Neill 1994 - 1995 Susan C. Russo, The New York Times 1993 - 1994 Wenda