Fran Pollaro has had a rapid rise to executive director of The Global Awards since he joined NYF as award coordinator in July 2015. He now takes over from Michael Demetriades as executive director.

Ellen Smyth, partner and chief executive officer of New York Festivals, commented, “New York Festivals is thrilled to promote Fran Pollaro to executive director. We look forward to Fran leveraging his business development savvy along with his robust experience as NYF’s awards manager to expand the competition’s global footprint across all regions and lead all facets of the Global Awards.

“He’s done incredible work these past years working with NYF’s six competitions as well as serving as liaison between New York Festivals and award-winning companies around the world.”

Pollaro will now lead the competition’s expansion and all strategic initiatives to elevate its profile, and will champion the Young Globals student internship competition.

“For over 23 years, the Global Awards have honored the World’s Best Healthcare & Wellness Advertising. I look forward to taking the reins and working with NYF vice president, Michael Demetriades to continue the competition’s impressive legacy,” Pollaro commented.

Fran Pollaro

As well as his global awards management expertise, Pollaro will bring the leadership and communications skills he has forged while working for over 12 years in communications and business development. His previous roles include account manager for DeskZone, senior customer account manager for content creation and communications agency, SNP Communications, and head of sales and managing director of Brentler Inc., a New York City tenant representative real estate firm.

Demetriades now leads all initiatives for the New York Festivals International Advertising Awards and the AME Awards for Advertising and Marketing Effectiveness.