Advertising can play a more positive broader social role. The Ad Council is a nonprofit organization
that uses top-notch industry talent to produce and distribute public service announcements
for nonprofits and government agencies. From its early origins with “Buy War Bonds” posters, the
Ad Council has tackled innumerable pressing social issues through the years. One of its recent efforts
featured beloved Sesame Street stars Elmo and Gordon exhorting children to wash their hands
in the face of the H1N1 flu virus.