Catharine F. Hays

Catharine is the founding Executive Director of the Future of Advertising Program at the Wharton School. The Program’s mission is to bridge academic rigor and real world relevance as a catalyst for deeper insights, bolder innovation, and broader positive impact of advertising. Since its inception in 2008, she and Marketing Professor Jerry Wind, have led WFoA to become the leading academic center on the topic of advertising’s evolving future, growing its Global Advisory Board to over 80 thought leaders from around the world and across disciplines. She has presented the Program’s research findings at such venues as the Cannes Lions and Forbes CMO Network, and has facilitated WFoA Executive Roundtables on such topics as advertising effectiveness, the role of creatives and creativity in the digital age, new business and revenue models and the future of advertising in India (New Delhi), Europe (Paris). and Singapore.