Elected by the Advertising Hall of Fame’s distinguished Council of Judges, the American Advertising Federation announced this year’s group to be inducted into the 2016 Class of the Advertising Hall of Fame. The Advertising Hall of Fame recognizes the most accomplished and legendary figures in advertising, bringing together the industry to celebrate at one of the biggest nights in advertising. The 67^th Advertising Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies & Gala Dinner will be held the evening of Monday, April 11, in the Grand Ballroom of New York’s historic Waldorf-Astoria hotel.

This year’s honorees include Brownwood native Roy Spence, co-founder and chairman of GDS&M., a national and leading marketing communications and advertising company. Under Spence’s leadership, his agency has helped grow some of the world’s most successful brands, such as “Don’t Mess with Texas,” Southwest Airlines, WalMart, DreamWorks, the PGA tour, BMW, the U.S. Air Force, LL Bean, and the Clinton Global Initiative. He and his agency also created The University of Texas branding campaign “We’re Texas,” narrated by UT legend Walter Cronkite, and the current “What Starts Here Changes the World” campaign. Spence has been a trusted advisor to legendary leaders, including Sam Walton and Southwest Airlines founder Herb Kelleher. His counsel has also been sought by U.S. presidents and leaders in the State Department and Department of Defense. GSD&M also has local influence, having created the slogan “Brownwood, Feels Like Home”. Brian Jordan, son of Tom and Patti Jordan, formerly of Brownwood was working for GSD&M at the time and created the theme song and slogan.

He has been named Ad Man of the Year and Idea Man of the Century. Spence is also co-founder and CEO of The Purpose Institute, a consulting firm whose purpose is to help people and organizations discover and live their purpose. He co-authored the Wall Street Journal bestselling book, “It’s Not What You Sell, It’s What You Stand For: Why Every Extraordinary Business is Driven by Purpose.” Roy has been married for nearly 40 years and has three children.