In 1950, W. B. “Pete” Potter, Kodak’s Director of Advertising and member of the newly established national   Advertising Council, knew Rochester, his home town, had problems that needed to be addressed, just like his country did.  And he knew Rochester was blessed with a great deal of marketing resources and passionate people who wanted to put their talents – and their money – to work on important issues.  So he joined with his colleagues to form the Ad Council of Rochester, a resource that is still serving our community more than six decades later.  

It’s a tribute to both Pete Potter’s legacy and support from community-minded individuals that the Ad Council remains a trusted and thriving community resource today.  For that reason, we have decided to honor Pete and our leadership givers by creating the W. B. Potter Society.  The inaugural members of this society are generous, smart, and savvy philanthropists; they recognize the important role the Ad Council, with its focus on effective marketing and communications, plays in positive, sustainable community impact.  They don’t just support causes in our community — they fund measurable and meaningful community change.