Advertising Age Reveals 40 Under 40 List with New Digital Focus

Clear shifts toward digital, design and start-ups mark the careers of the marketing, advertising and media executives named in this year's Advertising Age 40 Under 40 list. Ad Age relaunches the franchise today with a focus on emerging executives who have made a notable impact early in their careers.

"We didn't want to create a list of people that everyone already knows," said Abbey Klaassen, editor of Advertising Age. "We're drawing attention to the names and personalities who are driving this industry, and who we're sure to hear from over the next several years. This is the next generation of those making an impact in marketing."

The list highlights the impact digital now has on the industry in recognizing a number of executives with digital responsibilities, including: Coca-Cola content marketing guru Ashley Brown, 35; Sarah Hofstetter, 38, who set up one of the first social-media practices at any agency for 360i; Victor Wong, 26, who co-founded PaperG; Clara Shih, 30, who co-founded Hearsay Social; and Kate Aronowitz, 38, design director at Facebook.

"This is definitely a group of folks to watch - we found smart marketing executives from traditional companies, strategic thinkers, designers and start-up entrepreneurs who are leading the industry in a digital age," said Judann Pollack, Ad Age executive editor and lead editor on the project. "It's an impressive group - they excel professionally and also boast rich and varied accomplishments outside their day jobs."

This year's list also looks at the personal side of several executives. "We learned that Uniworld CEO Monique L. Nelson is a blue-ribbon equestrian; that Lincoln Stephens, founder of the Marcus Graham Project, one day dreams of opening a restaurant; and what's in Sloan White, principal brand manager of brand sponsorships at Capital One's wallet," added Pollack.

Ad Age will celebrate the 2013 class of 40 Under 40 at an event in New York City on February 7th at the Soho House. The full "Ad Age 40 Under 40" list can be found on AdAge.com and in today's issue of Advertising Age.