Adrianne C. Smith is the first Global Director of Inclusion and Diversity at WPP, the largest multinational communications, advertising, public relations, technology and commerce holding company. Adrianne is also the Founder and Visionary of the Cannes Can: Diversity Collective (CC:DC) which provides rising stars in the advertising and creative industry the opportunity to attend and participate in the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. In 2019, she made history by creating the first stand-alone Equality, Diversity and Inclusion stand alone activation Inkwell Beach – Cannes in the festival’s 66 years of existence. CC:DC’s Inkwell Beach Cannes featured over 100 speakers.
With more than 20+ years of industry and advocacy experience, including her work as the Executive Director of the Center for Excellence in Advertising at Howard University, Adrianne has helped many individuals achieve their personal career goals and organizations achieve their strategic corporate goals. Her training and development programs were the catalyst for the success of several advertising executives. Graduates trained in her program have received numerous awards and accolades including Cannes Lion awards.