Lisa Sherman Is the New CEO of The Ad Council

Sherman, who starts Nov. 3, succeeds Peggy Conlon, who is retiring after 15 years in the role.

"Lisa is the ideal person to lead the Ad Council in today's ever-changing and increasingly digital environment," said Laura Desmond, the new chairman of the Ad Council board and global CEO of Starcom MediaVest Group. "Her background spanning media, advertising and corporate brands—as well as the charitable arena—provide her with a unique 360 view that will serve the Ad Council well as it looks to harness a future of dynamic change in the media, messaging and cause marketing worlds."

Sherman most recently was evp and general manager of LogoTV, part of Viacom Media Networks. She joined Viacom in 2005 to help launch LogoTV, which describes itself as the "leading ad-supported entertainment network aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people." Under Sherman's leadership, Logo nearly tripled the number of households carrying its digital channel, from 17 million to more than 52 million. 

Before Logo, Sherman was an evp at Hill Holliday and co-founded the Women's Sports Network. Sherman also is vice chair of the board of the New York City-based God's Love We Deliver and an advisor and corporate partner to the Greater New York initiative.

"Along with Lisa's significant experience in the communications industry, she embodies altruism and the tenets of the Ad Council, and has a great passion for the work we do," said Conlon, in a statement.

In a statement of her own, Sherman said she was "humbled and honored by this opportunity," adding, "It will be a privilege to help lead this iconic organization through the next critical phase of its growth as we continue to give voice to important issues that impact the lives of so many people."