New York’s Advertising Week is ramping up the star wattage.
Compared to the Cannes Lions ad festival on the celebrity-studded French Riviera, the city’s annual industry gathering has been a more buttoned-down affair.
But organizers are aiming to add some sizzle to the 11th edition of Ad Week, with an array of bold-face names who go beyond the usual ad and media types.
While the team is still putting the finishing touches on the ad-palooza kicking off Sept. 29, A-listers include “Sin City” actress Jessica Alba, who will chat about her eco-friendly baby business, The Honest Co.
Movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, music impresario Irving Azoff and Madison Square Garden boss Jim Dolan will speak about the nexus of film, music and sports.
Morning host Michael Strahan will kibitz with Facebook ad chief Carolyn Everson about pop culture, while Arianna Huffington and New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand will talk about redefining the workplace for women.
Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer and Pandora founder Tim Westergren will also be under the Klieg lights.
Advertising Week Chief Executive Matt Scheckner is seeking to add more glitz as he goes global with similar events in London and Tokyo.
“It’s thought leadership by day and show business by night,” Scheckner said.
“The concept behind Advertising Week is to celebrate the economic and social impact of our industry and figure out where we are all going, then layer in a lot of content that builds a bridge between Madison Avenue and pop culture.”