Susan Smith Ellis is CEO of (RED), the for-benefit brand that marries the private sector with the buying power of the public in an effort to generate a sustainable flow of private sector funds to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. Ms. Smith Ellis joined (RED) in July 2007 and has focused the company's efforts on building the (RED) brand, creating value for current partners and bringing new brands into the (RED) partner community.

Prior to joining (RED), Ms. Smith Ellis spent more than 20 years as an executive in brand development and advertising. Most recently she was executive vice president of the Omnicom Group (www.omnicomgroup.com). Previously at Omnicom, Ms. Smith Ellis led multi-agency client integration programs, business development and oversaw key educational and teaching programs. Prior to Ominicom, she also held executive roles at Diversified Agency Services (DAS) -- a division of Omnicom, BBDO and Hill Holliday Connors Cosmopulos in Boston, London, Sydney, Paris, Frankfurt and Hong Kong.

She was on the advisory board of U Promise and is on the board of The Miami Ad School. She is board chair of Chamber Dance Project. Susan is a former board member of The Boston Ballet and the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans. She served on the Women's Advisory Committee for FAST COMPANY magazine.

Married with two children, she lives in Westchester County, New York.

Blog Entries by Susan Smith Ellis

One Step Closer to Universal AIDS Prevention and Care

Posted October 28, 2009 | 02:44 PM (EST)


Here's some good news. A report issued this month by the World Health Organization, UNICEF and UNAIDS discussed the world's advance towards the goal of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services by 2010. Remarkable progress has been made, the report said.

There...

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This Valentine's Day, Make Your Gift (RED)

Posted February 13, 2009 | 04:45 PM (EST)


What to get her for Valentine's Day? What to get him? Flowers, chocolates, teddy bears are marketed ceaselessly on television. Been there, done that.

Better idea: (RED) products. They're the right color (red). Desire and virtue neatly packaged all in one. And they have an immediate impact on...

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What World AIDS Day Means To Me

Posted December 1, 2008 | 10:55 AM (EST)


For some, today is a day of reflection, to remember a loved one or friends lost to AIDS. For others, today is a day to acknowledge the progress we've made fighting this pandemic, and the tens of thousands of lives that have been saved thanks to the availability of life-saving...

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(RED) at Work in Rwanda

Posted September 17, 2008 | 01:24 PM (EST)


I've just returned from my first visit to Rwanda, where (RED) funds have been hard at work. A friend once told me that Rwanda either breaks your heart or fills you with hope. I came away hopeful. Here's why:

In May 2006, Rwanda became the first country to receive (RED)...

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