AAM in Action: Solutions to Showcase Members, Industry Collaboration Drives AAM’s Annual Business Meeting

Rich Murphy, CEO, President and Managing Director

At AAM’s recent annual business meeting, I was joined by AAM Chair Brenda White and members of our team to share results from the director election, provide an update on new initiatives and highlight AAM’s strategy to support our members in the year ahead.

Here’s a recap of what we discussed and insights into how members benefit from AAM’s initiatives.

AAM Board Election Results

We kicked off the meeting by announcing the results of our board of directors elections. Congratulations to the following directors:

• Representing advertising agencies:
  • Erica Krauss, Publicis Media Luxe
  • Jen Soch, WPP Media
• Representing advertisers:
  • Doug Olson, Bomb Party
• Representing magazine media:
  • Steve Crowe, People Inc.

2025-2026 Board Officers:

• Chair: Brenda White, Publicis Media
• Vice chairs: Erica Krauss, Publicis Media Luxe, and Steve Crowe, People Inc.
• Secretary: Jeanne Finegan, Kroll Notice Media
• Treasurer: Rosheen O’Donovan, American City Business Journals
  
  

Strategic Objectives Progress Report

Earlier this year we established three strategic objectives to support our mission of fostering a media ecosystem built on trust, transparency and accountability: grow assurance solutions, champion AAM members and leading industry collaboration. We are pleased to report material progress on all fronts.

1. Growing Assurance Solutions

This year we introduced and expanded assurance programs to help AAM members and the industry transact with trust and accountability in new areas such as:

• Ethical AI: This certification program is based on AAM’s industry-developed eight-pillar framework to provide validation for companies implementing AI best practices.
• Events: We recently completed the first network event audit for the Automotive Experience Alliance and verified CES 2025 for UFI certification, reinforcing the growing need for validated event audience data.
• Industry Certifications: AAM continues to collaborate with industry groups to provide third-party assurance to areas including digital measurement, brand safety, podcasts and point of care media. We’ve also worked closely with IAB and IAB Europe to develop retail media measurement guidelines and are an official certifier for IAB Europe’s retail media certification program.

2. Championing AAM Members

Buyers have indicated that they want more publisher data and information in AAM’s Media Intelligence Center. AAM is answering this need by:

• Ensuring every AAM-audited publisher has a profile available in AAM’s database that features topline cross-media data, brand information and media kit links. There are more than 500 new profiles for members this year.
• Launching Media Intelligence Preview, a tool that provides a sample of publisher data to buyers and AAM’s Assurance List, a publicly accessible directory of audited and certified companies that includes links to publisher profiles.

3. Leading Collaboration Across the Industry

AAM continues to lead through collaboration with our members and the industry. We work with industry groups to develop industry standards and assurance solutions. Our working groups are also critical to shaping our initiatives for media buyers and news, consumer and B2B media.

This is a transformative time for the industry where assurance is critical. By collaborating with our members, board of directors and partners, AAM will continue to deliver trusted solutions that strengthen transparency and accountability across the industry.

Thank You for Your Support

Finally, I’d like to thank our directors for generously volunteering their time, expertise and leadership to guide AAM and strengthen the industry. Also, thank you to our members for your support, engagement and partnership. Together we will continue to drive innovation and strengthen trust and integrity in the marketplace.