Fuguitt (pictured) has notified the board of directors of the ARF that she will not renew her contract upon expiration and that, in order to ensure a smooth transition, will continue to lead the organisation until the end of October. 

Fuguitt joined the ARF around three-and-a-half years ago following a 32 year career at General Mills. She is the first woman to have led the foundation. 

"I would like to thank Gayle for her inspired leadership at the ARF, and for her extraordinary work as a champion of the research community," said David Poltrack, chief research officer, CBS Corporation, president, CBS Vision and two-term ARF board chair.

"The ARF has once again become, under Gayle’s direction, the centre of intelligent discourse at the nexus between the advertising and media industries."