Date:07/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/12/07/stories/2005120703720800.htm

Back Sam Balsara is new President of IAA

Our Bureau

Chennai , Dec. 5

MR SAM Balsara, Chairman and Managing Director, Madison Communications, has been elected President of the India chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) for 2005-06 at its recent annual general meeting held in Mumbai. A press release says Mr Pradeep Guha, CEO, Zee Telefilms, is Vice-President; Mr Mukul Upadhyaya, CEO, Touchstone Advertising and Marketing is Secretary; and Mr Ashok Nerkar, MD, Unique Photo Offset Services, is Treasurer.

Members of the new managing committee include Mr M.G. Parameshwaran, ED, FCB Ulka Advertising, Mr Goutam Rakshit, MD, Advertising Avenues, Mr Ramesh Narayan, MD, Canco Advertising, Mr Ishan Raina, CEO, Euro RSCG India, and Mr Hormusji Cama of Bombay Samachar weekly.

Mr Roger C.B. Pereira, CEO, R&PMC, and Ms Pheroza Bilimoria are special invitees. Ms Bilimoria was Past President of IAA and now serves on its World Board.

Spread over 93 countries and with over 6,000 members worldwide, the IAA is uniquely positioned to recognise emerging cross-border trends before they become obvious, and provide marketing communications professionals with an international, multi-industry forum for the global exchange of knowledge, best practices, professional development, experience and ideas, says the press release.

The India Chapter was initiated over 20 years ago to foster a healthy environment for the growth of globalisation in the communications industry. It currently has a membership of around 40 members. Membership is by invitation only.

Says Mr Sam Balsara, "With the presence of such strong industry associations like Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI), Indian Newspapers Society (INS) and Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) and clubs like The Advertising Club, Bombay, the IAA India Chapter needs to identify the unique and distinct role that it can play in the advertising and marketing fraternity. Probably it will be in the area of global practices, exploiting its global reach across 93 countries, and access to 6,000 key decision makers."

The India Chapter hopes to play a key role in taking a large delegation from India to the IAA World Congress in Dubai to be held from March 20-23.