Will.i.am Wins 2013 Honorary Clio

Since 2009, the best-of-advertising show has granted an Honorary Clio Award, which recognizes exceptional creative professionals not necessarily working in the ad industry. Last year's recipients were photographer Annie Leibovitz and food television personality Anthony Bourdain.

The Clio Awards is owned by Guggenheim Digital Media, parent of Adweek.

Will.i.am. will accept the honor during a ceremony at the Museum of Natural History on May 15. Actor Eric Stonestreet, best known for his Emmy-winning role on Modern Family, will host the ceremony. It is the 54th annual Clio Awards show.

In addition to his career as a recording artist and performer, Will.i.am serves as a consultant to—and collaborator with—brands on pop culture, business and technology. Since 2011, he has counted among his salutations the title director of creative innovation for Intel, a role that the chipmaker says isn't a traditional endorsement role and, reports Fortune, involves regular brainstorming with the company's staffers. Will.i.am has also worked with Coca-Cola in recent years to invent a line of products made in part from recycled materials. He was an early investor in the now-popular Beats line of headphones, along with rapper Dr. Dre and music mogul Jimmy Iovine, and has also launched products like an iPhone camera enhancer. 

"Will.i.am has not only mastered music but has also transcended his art form, extending his boundless creativity into areas like politics, technology and philanthropy," said Nicole Purcell, executive director of the Clio Awards. "He embodies all of the values the Clios represent by inspiring change and encouraging us to think differently.”