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Stellantis Global Chief Marketing Officer Olivier François Named as One of Newest Inductees into the AAF Advertising Hall of Fame

 

  • Olivier François is one of six industry icons to receive Advertising’s most esteemed honor. 

  • In its 70-plus years, only 282 advertising legends and 12 global companies have been elected to the Hall of Fame. 

  • Highly acclaimed campaigns under Francois’ leadership include the Primetime Emmy® Award-winning “Imported from Detroit” featuring Eminem, “Farmer” with radio’s legendary Paul Harvey, Primetime Emmy® Award-nominated “Halftime in America” with Clint Eastwood, Primetime Emmy® Award-nominated “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray and “The Middle” featuring Bruce Springsteen. 

  • Award comes as François prepares to relaunch the all-new, all-electric Fiat 500e into North America. 

  • The 2024 Honorees will be feted at a gala ceremony to be held on April 25, 2024, at Cipriani Wall Street. 

The American Advertising Federation (AAF), the “Unifying Voice for Advertising,” announced today the inductees into the 2024 AAF Advertising Hall of Fame (AHOF). Olivier François, Global Chief Marketing Officer for Stellantis, is one of six industry luminaries joining this prestigious group. The announcement was celebrated during a closing bell ceremony on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) earlier this week. 
 
This year’s honorees were chosen following a rigorous review overseen by a Council of Judges comprised of an esteemed group of industry leaders and fellow members of the Hall of Fame. In addition to François, the inductees include (in alphabetical order): Jerri DeVard, CEO and Founder, Black Executive CMO Alliance (BECA); Jeff Goodby, Co-Chairman, Goodby Silverstein & Partners; Bill Imada, Co-Founder, Chairman & Chief Connectivity Officer, IW Group; Marc Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer, P&G; and Donna Weinheim, Former Partner, Executive Creative Director, BBDO; Cliff Freeman & Partners. 

François has always sought to go beyond the status-quo, with a remarkable talent for pairing the commercial with a genuine sensibility for socially responsible causes and environmental ethics. He has somehow reached remarkable sales figures and global brand recognition by enlisting distinguished world leaders, cultural icons from across the film, television and music industries, and world-renowned environmentalists. As François has said, “The greatest Brand value I can deliver is to show that our Brands have values.”   

“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude receiving this recognition,” said François. “It simply would not have been possible without a house of now 14 iconic American, French, German and Italian brands that together compose a symphony. A CMO can play one brand beautifully, but with the accompaniment of many distinguished brands, along with the great number of extraordinarily talented, relentless, and fearless people on our Stellantis teams and the incredible agency rosters across the world, who together have lifted our brands to the highest heights of success, we can have a bit of fun.”   

Added François, “While these achievements often come at the end of one’s career, in my case, I like to think that after 15 years at the helm of our Group’s marketing team, I’m just getting started.” 

 François found a way to place the Dalai Lama in a Lancia by simply practicing what he preaches. To fight for human rights in Tibet utilizing Richard Gere during the Opening Ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics. To get Nobel Laureates’ Mikhael Gorbachev, Lech Walesa, and Nelson Mandela to appear in a spot to support free elections in Myanmar. To create with Sean Penn, virtually overnight, the campaign to support the Haitian Relief Organization and deploy Jeep vehicles to help distribute food and water. To stand up for Detroit in the midst of The Great Recession with bold music from Eminem and a brave message “Imported from Detroit” in the first-ever two-minute Super Bowl spot in the history of the Big Game that helped to lift an industry, a city and a nation. 

His proposal to use Carl Sagan’s “Pale Blue Dot” in a Jeep campaign was instrumental in launching the first ever electrified Jeep vehicle – the Jeep Wrangler 4xe. François used the fact that the Super Bowl fell on Groundhog Day for only the second time in the Big Game’s 54-year history to engage the elusive Bill Murray to reprise his famous role as Phil Connors from original 1993 film and create a spot that not only topped the Super Bowl charts but took top honors at the post pandemic Cannes Festival. But he didn’t stop there.   

François teamed with Bono’s RED® organization to use FIAT, the brand that he has been running as CEO since 2011, to commit millions to fight AIDS and Covid. Then, he was able to convince Bruce Springsteen to appear in the Super Bowl campaign for “The Middle,” the first time that Springsteen had ever agreed to appear in a television commercial for any brand, in “a call to all Americans to come together and seek common ground as we look collectively to the road ahead.” 

 In his boldest move yet, François who also holds the dual roles of CEO of FIAT Automobile and DS Automobiles, is using his role as FIAT CEO role to make the all-new Fiat 500e all-electric (and only electric): For François, passion for an ethical approach runs deeper than marketing, it actually affects vehicle production. During a lunch with Leonardo DiCaprio, he convinced the elusive environmentalist to stand alongside him in Europe as he strives to convert the most popular mass-market city car to all-electric to shape the future of urban mobility worldwide. 

Beyond marketing, François has extensive work experience in business operations, and sales through his leadership roles over the last three decades. He assumed leadership roles at Citroën before joining FIAT in 2005. He was the lead executive for Lancia S.p.A. and then Chrysler brand (2009) after the Chrysler Group and FIAT merger, and CEO of FIAT Automobiles since 2011. Concurrently, François has held the CMO role since 2008, retaining this position over two decades and three mergers. Although the company has evolved and reformed three times – from the Chrysler Group, to FCA to now Stellantis (in 2021), a group of 14 brands – François’ role as CMO has been a constant. 

François was recently named to Forbes CMO Hall of Fame (2022), after appearing on Forbes “World’s Most Influential CMO” list multiple times since 2014. He has twice been named the “Grand Brand Genius” by Adweek; named “Branding Power Player” by Billboard Magazine (2016) and Advertising Age named the Chrysler Group under his leadership, as the “Marketer of the Year” (2012).  
  
The Ram brand’s critically-acclaimed “Farmer” (2013) featuring the voice of legendary radio announcer Paul Harvey and the Dodge brand’s “Wisdom” (2016), recognizing the 100th anniversary of the brand and starring centenarians dispensing their own life wisdom, were named the Nielsen Automotive Ad of the Year.  
  
François and his team garnered a Primetime Emmy® Award for “Outstanding Commercial” for the “Imported from Detroit” Super Bowl campaign in 2012 and was nominated again for a Primetime Emmy® Award in the “Outstanding Commercial” category in 2012 for “Halftime in America” and in 2020 for the “Groundhog Day” Super Bowl commercial starring Bill Murray.  

 François holds a degree in economy, finance and marketing from Dauphine University (Paris) and a diploma from the IEP (Institute des Sciences Politiques, Paris). 

In its 70+ years, only 282 advertising legends and 12 global companies have been elected to the Hall of Fame.  The 2024 Honorees will be feted at a gala ceremony to be held on April 25, 2024, at Cipriani Wall Street. 
 
“The AAF Advertising Hall of Fame brings together the nation’s top leaders in American advertising, marketing, media, and tech and is another example of how AAF serves as the ‘Unifying Voice for Advertising,’” commented Steve Pacheco, President and CEO, American Advertising Federation. 
 
The Advertising Hall of Fame 

The Advertising Hall of Fame, organized by the AAF since 1949, helps the organization to sustain many of its key initiatives throughout the year surrounding education, diversity, grassroots advocacy, and professional development.  Induction into the Advertising Hall of Fame celebrates the most accomplished and legendary figures in advertising.  From their significant contributions to the advertising industry to their personal philanthropic involvement, honorees have set the precedent by which great leaders and accomplishments are measured today. 

AAF 

The AAF’s Board of Directors guides and oversees the Federation’s signature events and initiatives, including the Advertising Hall of Fame, Advertising Hall of Achievement, American Advertising Awards, Advertising Day on the Hill, Most Promising Multicultural Students Program, and HBCUs for Advertising  – all serving the Federation’s 35,000+ professional members nationwide, 4,000+ students and educators, and more than 60+ corporate members spanning media and tech companies, advertisers and agencies.  Established in 1905, the American Advertising Federation (AAF), acts as the “Unifying Voice for Advertising.”  Visit https://aaf.org/ 

 

 

 

Featured

Audi Showcases Motorsport Legacy at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2023

Audi is set to commemorate its esteemed motorsport history at the renowned Goodwood Festival of Speed 2023. The highlight of the event will be the UK debut of the unique, all-electric Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron, driven by Le Mans legend, Tom Kristensen. As a tribute to the 100th year of Le Mans, Audi will also feature three iconic LMP cars: the R8, R10 TDI, and R18 e-tron quattro.

The Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron is a modern reinterpretation of the 1980s Audi Sport quattro S1, paying homage to the late motorsport legend Ken Block. This electric race car boasts a carbon fiber chassis and two motor-generator units that deliver an impressive total torque of 4,425 lb-ft, enabling high-speed drifts filled with adrenaline.

The Audi RS Q e-tron marks Audi’s ambitious entry into the challenging Dakar Rally, featuring an electric drivetrain and a motor-generator unit for on-the-go energy recharging. Furthermore, Audi’s significant Le Mans milestones will be celebrated with the R8, which achieved a historic hat-trick from 2000 to 2002; the R10 TDI, the first diesel-powered car to clinch overall victories from 2006 to 2008; and the R18 e-tron quattro, the pioneering diesel-hybrid that led Audi to a momentous 1-2-3 finish in 2012.

Lastly, Audi’s rally roots will be showcased with the legendary Audi Quattro Gr. 4 Rally Portugal, a game-changer in international rally sport, and the 200 quattro Rally Safari, which marked Audi’s triumphant exit from the world of rallying. This extraordinary lineup underscores Audi’s rich and diverse motorsport legacy, bringing the excitement of the track to the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2023. Don’t miss this historic and innovative tribute to speed and endurance. You can view all Audi models currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below.

View All Audi For Sale


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Featured

The Best Piece Uniqué Luxury Watches For The 2023 Only Watch Auction

Only Watch is an esteemed biennial charity auction event that brings together the world’s leading luxury Swiss watch brands for a noble cause – funding research against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This high-profile event is an opportunity for horology enthusiasts and collectors to secure exclusive timepieces from prestigious brands such as Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, and many more. These renowned watchmakers invest their creative genius into designing one-of-a-kind pieces, specifically for the Only Watch auction.

Participating watchmakers exemplify their commitment to philanthropy and innovation by crafting bespoke wristwatches, unique both in design and function. Showcasing the finest Swiss watchmaking craftsmanship, these brands put forward their top-tier luxury timepieces for this prestigious event. Watch aficionados worldwide are drawn to this auction, recognizing the unmatched quality and exclusivity of Swiss luxury watches, as well as the opportunity to contribute to a significant cause. Only Watch and its participating Swiss luxury watch brands epitomize the confluence of horological expertise, exclusive craftsmanship, and global philanthropy. Today, we have carefully curated a list of the best piece uniqué luxury watches revealed for the 2023 Only Watch charity auction taking place on November 5th.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Only Watch Edition

This Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Only Watch Edition comes with the addition of a blue inner bezel and white gold hour-markers and hands, both filled with luminescent coating for optimum visibility in the dark. A special oscillating weight in 22K gold has also been coloured with the same blue and rhodium tones for a sleek and modern look.

Estimate: $334,000 – $390,000

Richard Mille RMS14

Codename RMS14, this piece offered to Only Watch is a tribute to this enigmatic object, a Richard Mille interpretation of what this pendent could have looked like centuries past.

Estimate: $670,000 – $890,000

Hublot MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Only Watch

The MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Only Watch represents the Art of Fusion between Hublot and the artist, by merging the exceptional know-how of the Swiss luxury watchmaker with the playful universe of Takashi Murakami. This masterpiece is crafted in sapphire and showcases a unique central tourbillon especially conceived for this watch.

Estimate: $390,000 – $450,000

Bulgari Marble

Produced as a one-off and with no equivalent in the watchmaking world, Bulgari intends to etch the 2023 edition of Only Watch in stone for all time. The green marble used for this spectacular watch, named Verde di Alpi, comes from the Aosta Valley, the natural passage linking Switzerland and Italy, though the Alps.

Estimate: $167,000 – $280,000

Piaget Polo Skeleton Arty Edition

This piece is a creative brightly colored Piaget Polo Skeleton arty edition, both artistically technical and coolly chic. Its design pays homage to the “Hexa Grace” artwork by Victor Vasarely, which is exhibited in Monaco.

Estimate: $56,000 – $89,000

Ulysse Nardin Freak S Only Watch

Freak S Only Watch is an exclusive interpretation of this timepiece. Featuring two plates, one indicating the unique edition “1/1” in place of the crown and one “Only Watch” on the opposite side, this masterpiece features Only Watch’s signature 2023 colours: red, pink, blue, green, yellow and orange tones enhance this watch, making it impressive and eye-catching.

Estimate: $178,000 – $223,000

TAG Heuer Monaco

A project that commenced immediately after the completion of Only Watch 2021, the mandate was clear: to create the most spectacular reimagining of the Monaco the brand has ever created and presenting the first mechanical split seconds chronograph for TAG Heuer.

Estimate: $167,000 – $334,000

Urwerk Space-Time Blade

Urwerk’s Space-Time Blade: Where Science-Fiction and Time telling meet in a glowing magic. Let the digits of light guide you through the Spacetime continuum, as this remarkable glass column illuminates not only the hours, minutes, and seconds but also kilometers depicting our smooth Earth travel.

Estimate: $50,000 – $89,000

De Bethune

This special edition De Bethune watch comes from the depths of time, its dial and spherical moon made of ferrous meteorite created in the crucible of the universe. For its case, Denis Flageollet got as close to nature as possible, seeking to rediscover ancestral iron and steel-making techniques.

Estimate: $245,000 – $300,000

FP Journe Chronomètre Furtif

The Chronomètre Furtif takes its name from the difficulty of reading the time if the watch is not facing you, as the blue enamel dial reveals the frosted numerals only in the reflection of light, whereas, the moon phase and power reserve indications are integrated into the movement and visible only on the back. It is, therefore, a watch whose indications can be enjoyed only by its owner.

Estimate: $223,000 – $445,000