ITHACA, N.Y. — Jason DeLand, an Ithaca College alumnus and co-founder of advertising agency Anomaly, will give this year’s keynote address at Ithaca College’s commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. on May 19 in the Glazer Arena of the Athletics and Events Center, the college announced.
A 1998 graduate, DeLand’s work in the advertising world includes Budweiser’s “Best Buds,” “Lost Dog,” and “Puppy Love” Super Bowl ads, per an Ithaca College news release. He has also overseen Budweiser’s World Cup sponsorships and facilitated its expansion into markets including China and Nigeria. Other major accounts include Coca-Cola, Major League Baseball, Disney Parks and Resorts, Panera, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Under his leadership, Anomaly has grown to eight offices with more than 750 employees worldwide. Adweek recognized DeLand as one of the “20 Most Influential People under 40” in 2012, while Anomaly received Fast Company’s “50 Most Innovative Companies in the World,” Ad Age’s “US Agency of the Year” in 2018, and Adweek’s equivalent honor in 2022.
DeLand earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Ithaca College’s Roy H. Park School of Communications and has contributed significantly to the college since graduating, including advising on the development of a new visual identity for Ithaca College athletes and collaborating on branding efforts with the college’s marketing and creative teams.
The college’s alumni association honored DeLand in 2017 with its Professional Achievement Award.
Founded in 1892, Ithaca College offers 70 degree programs to a student body of 5,000 students in its schools of business; communications; humanities and sciences; health sciences and human performance; and music, theater, and dance.