40 Over Forty, a campaign to underline the positive contribution of those over 40 in advertising,  has revealed the 2021 winners. 

The 2021 selection features CEOs and CMOs, Creatives and Brand Managers from agencies and businesses including Digitas, LinkedIn, The Uninvisability Project and Collabsco from the UK, Europe and America. (The full list can be seen below.)

Now in its second year, 40 Over Forty is a positive force to highlight and challenge the advertising industry’s long established ageism problem. The initiative is also actively part of the Advertising Association’s (AA) All In Census Inclusion Working Group, advising on recommendations to tackle ageism.

The AA’s Commercial Director and Inclusion Lead Sharon Lloyd Barnes, explained: “Ageism is one of a number of priority areas that the AA is addressing with positive, actionable steps to help our industry evolve. It’s fantastic to see such a range of talent on this years’ 40 Over Forty list.”

Anna Dalziel, founder, 40 Over Forty, added; “Tackling ageism is still high on the news agenda with brands such as Channel 4, L’Oréal and TFL choosing to highlight the issue and strive for greater inclusion and representation. Yet our industry, which represents a wide array of local and global brands, needs to do more. We need to make everyone feel welcome, valued, and included. We will continue to give a platform to those who are over forty and celebrate the amazing people within our industry. Congratulations everyone.”

40 Over Forty launched in January 2020 to celebrate people over 40 who were being overlooked by traditional awards and lists which all too often equate youth with innovation and energy. 

2021 40 Over Forty (listed A-Z)

1.     Alex Hedges / Founder / Curious Connections

2.     Angel Gaskell  / Co-Founder and Managing Director / HDY Agency

3.     Beth Collier / Communication, Creativity & Leadership Development / Freelance

4.     Brian C Herskowitz / President / Blockchain Media Concepts

5.     Chris Brock / Editor / SCOOP & SPOON

6.     Christine Mulcahy / Co-founder and CEO / The Odigo Group

7.     Dan Jones / Commercial Director / Cavai

8.     Dani Bassil / CEO / Digitas

9.     Darren Low / CEO / Low&Behold

10. Delanie West / Creative Director and Founder / Be Super Creative

11. Florian Gramshammer / MD EMEA / Impact

12. Gemma Duffy / Associate Director / The Manual London

13. Georgie Bradbury / Founder / Stampede International

14. Jane Austin / Owner / Persuasion Communications

15. Jane Evans / Founder / The Uninvisibility Project

16. Jaye Cowle / Founder / Launch Online

17. Jennifer Bunting / Group Manager, Product Marketing, EMEA & LATAM / LinkedIn

18. Jo Stevens / Head of Marketing & Business Development / GL Law

19. Julia Smith / Founder and MD / The Digital Voice

20. Katie Dreke / Owner/Founder / DRKE

21. Lauren McMenemy / Brand journalist and content strategist / The Content Type

22. Lee Veitch / Co-founder and Global Head of Sales / SuperAwesome

23. Lynn Lester / Managing Director, Global Events / The Drum

24. Majid Kazmi / VP, Strategy & Marketing Communications / uGen Group

25. Mel Mack / Founder Mack Digital / Mack digital

26. Meredith Binder / Chief Marketing Officer / S&P Global Market Intelligence

27. Michelle Edwards / VP of Human Resources / Heartbeat Ideas

28. Nancy Nina Hwang / Partner/Co-Founder / Jane

29. Nicolas Laborie / Commercial photographer / Nicolas Laborie Visuals

30. Peter Szyszko / Founder and CEO / White Bullet

31. Robin Raskin / Founder  / The Virtual Events Group

32. Stef Brown / Owner / On Pointe Marketing

33. Stephen Lepitak / European Bureau Chief  / Adweek

34. Susie McBeth / Senior Brand Manager / Raw Fury

35. Sweta Pathak / Creative Director / Freelance

36. Tom Jenen / CRO  / Brand Metrics

37. Tracey Santilli / Chief Growth Officer / Tierney

38. Trenzio Turner  / Lecturer  / University of Texas

39. Valerie Vacante / Founder, Collabsco  / Collabsco

40. Zoe Merchant / Managing Director / Bright