The 10 Essential Advertising People of the Year: No. 1 Erin Johnson

Her explosive discrimination suit against JWT and its former CEO cracked open the conversation on gender bias and harassment.

The 10 Essential Advertising People of the Year: No. 2 Ann Simonds

The General Mills CMO started a domino effect, and a debate, when she ordered her creative agencies to diversify.

The 10 Essential Advertising People of the Year: No. 3 Bob Liodice

The ANA's relentless focus on transparency could fundamentally alter how the ad business is conducted.

The 10 Essential Advertising People of the Year: No. 4 Arthur Sadoun

The CEO of Publicis Communications put the "Power of One" into practice.

The 10 Essential Advertising People of the Year: No. 5 Kevin Roberts

In a banner year for unevolved men, Saatchi & Saatchi's chairman reminded us how high the problem still goes.

The 10 Essential Advertising People of the Year: No. 6 Deborah Wahl

The CMO of McDonald's USA directed the ending of an old partnership and the beginning of a new agency.

The 10 Essential Advertising People of the Year: No. 7 Post-it Note Warriors

In a tough year, the colorful competition between Manhattan agencies reminded us that advertising is supposed to be fun.

The 10 Essential Advertising People of the Year: No. 8 Amir Kassaei

By slashing his agency's awards budget by 50 percent, DDB's creative chief breathed new life into a tired debate.

The 10 Essential Advertising People of the Year: No. 9 Keith Cartwright

With Saturday Morning, Cartwright and his partners gave the industry a platform to create change.

The 10 Essential Advertising People of the Year: No. 10 Lisa McKnight

The woman behind Barbie's long-overdue makeover gave the industry its first big female empowerment story in a year that wanted more of them.