Keith Weed Appointed AA President

The Advertising Association has announced Unilever chief marketing and communications officer Keith Weed as its new president, taking up the role from 1 September.

He succeeds Travelopia chief executive Andy Duncan following the completion of his tenure as AA chairman.

As president, Keith will guide the strategic direction of the AA’s work as it partners with Government to showcase UK advertising to the world, helps to grow the wider UK economy with its SME advertising initiative and tackles the challenge of rebuilding public trust in advertising, the AA said.

Advertising Association chief executive Stephen Woodford said: “Keith is a highly influential leader of marketing and advertising on the world stage and his strategic guidance on the biggest issues we face as an industry, not just here in the UK, but as the leading global hub for brands, media owners and agencies could not come at a better time.

“I know he will bring great insight and energy to our work over the coming years. It is a vital time as we work through the digitalisation of our industry, the shifting political sands and the changing expectations of our workforce and the wider society from advertising.

“I also want to say a heart-felt thanks to Andy Duncan who has been a wonderful president, providing clear and principled advice every step of the way during his tenure; he has been a real guardian of the best that we can be as an industry united.”

Keith Weed said: “It’s an honour to take on the role of President of the Advertising Association at such an exciting time for the industry.  I look forward to working with Stephen and the team to continue to build trust in advertising and cultivate world-class talent across the UK.”

Weed has been an outspoken critic of the tech giants demanding that they take action on transparency, fake news and “toxic content directed at children” before “viewers stop viewing, advertisers stop advertising and publishers stop publishing.”