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Tag: AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Vikram Sakhuja to be conferred with AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award 2024

    Vikram Sakhuja to be conferred with AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award 2024

    Mumbai: The Advertising Agencies Association of India has announced that Vikram Sakhuja will receive the AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award for 2024. This prestigious honour recognises outstanding contributions to the advertising industry in India.

    Vikram Sakhuja, an alumnus of IIT Delhi and IIM Calcutta, has nearly 40 years of experience with major companies such as P&G, Coca-Cola, Star TV, WPP, and Madison. He started his career as a DCM Management Trainee in 1984 and joined P&G in 1988, focusing on marketing research and media. He then moved to Coca-Cola to manage brand marketing for five years, followed by a role as EVP Marketing at Star TV. In 2001, he joined WPP and became the first Indian Global CEO of a global advertising and media agency. Currently, Vikram is the equity partner and group CEO of Madison.

    His leadership roles have included overseeing Mindshare and GroupM South Asia, chairing FICCI’s advertising & marketing committee, and serving on the boards of key industry bodies like BARC and AAAI. Recognised as one of the most influential figures in the media industry, he has frequently appeared on the Economic Times’ list of prominent individuals and has spoken at forums like the World Economic Forum.

    Vikram has played a significant role in driving business growth and innovation, leading to the introduction of new practices in mobile, social media, and content at GroupM. He has been instrumental in launching brands such as Ariel, Sprite, and IPL, and in developing research initiatives like BASES and the Conversion Model. His efforts transformed GroupM into an award-winning leader, consistently securing over 50 per cent of industry awards. Vikram has also contributed to establishing India’s first Media AOR and has pioneered numerous media practices that have shaped the advertising landscape in the country.

    AAAI president Prasanth Kumar said, “On behalf of the entire industry, it is a profound privilege to present Vikram Sakhuja with the AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award 2024. It’s a pleasure to celebrate this moment as well as express gratitude to Vikram Sakhuja’s contributions to media and advertising industry.  Vikram’s visionary leadership and relentless pursuit of innovation have continuously helped media agencies to shape progressively. Having worked closely with Vikram, his remarkable journey, from cutting-edge marketing strategies to driving transformative industry change, continues to inspire professionals across the board. This recognition is a testament to his commitment and immense  efforts that has reflected invaluable impact he has had on the industry.”

    AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award selection committee chairperson Anupriya Acharya added, “Vikram’s unparalleled three-decade contribution has revolutionised our industry. His exceptional expertise in media, marketing, and advertising, combined with his relentless pursuit of excellence, sets him apart. His leadership skills are unmatched, as he mentors and inspires the next generation of industry leaders. It has been an absolute honor to work with him closely both at work as well as in the industry forums. And I am thrilled, proud, and eagerly anticipate Vikram being  awarded this highest honour of our industry, recognizing his extraordinary influence and lasting  legacy.”

    The AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually to an individual with at least 25 years in advertising, who has held a top management position, actively participated in industry bodies, and made significant contributions to shaping industry priorities for growth and professionalism. The recipient is recognized for integrity, ethical practices, leadership qualities, and innovative thinking that contributed to their company’s growth. They should also be involved in socially significant projects and serve as a role model in the industry.

    Past winners of this award include Subhas Ghosal, Alyque Padamsee, Mike Khanna, R K Swamy, Piyush Pandey, Sam Balsara, Prem Mehta, Roda Mehta, Ram Sehgal, Madhukar Kamath, Arvind Sharma, and Colvyn Harris, among others.

  • Ashish Bhasin elected as president of AAAI

    Ashish Bhasin elected as president of AAAI

    MUMBAI: Media veteran Ashish Bhasin has become the new president of Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) for the year 2018-2019. Bhasin takes over from Nakul Chopra who will now be the ex-officio member of the new AAAI executive committee.

    Publicis Media India CEO Anupriya Acharya was elected vice president of the association.

    Bhasin has been a part of AAAI as the vice president and has now taken up a much larger role. He is also the chairman and CEO South Asia for Dentsu Aegis Network and a member of the Dentsu Aegis Network Asia Pacific Executive Board.

    Outgoing president Mr Nakul Chopra stated, “I have been privileged to lead AAAI for two years – my sincere thanks to all my fellow members for their support. Hearty congratulations to Ashish on his election as President. He is not only a key influencer in our industry but also a AAAI veteran. I am sure that AAAI will only grow from strength to strength under his tutelage.”

    The announcement was made today at the St. Regis hotel, with Ram Sehgal being conferred with the AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award 2018. 

    The AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honour to be given to an individual in India for his/her outstanding contribution to the Advertising Industry.

    The award was presented to Sehgal in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contribution to the advertising industry in literally establishing Delhi as a premier centre for advertising in India.

    It was this foundation that later led JWT Delhi to become the largest office in India and among the biggest in the world. Sehgal also helped in moulding Contract Advertising into one of the finest agencies and for leading AAAI and establishing one of the finest training programs in the industry ever. 

    AAAI is the official, national organisation of advertising agencies, formed in 1945, to promote their industry interests. The Association promotes professionalism, through its founding principles, which uphold sound business practices between Advertisers and Advertising Agencies and the various media. AAAI consists of small, medium and large-sized agencies as its members, who together account for almost 80 per cent of the advertising business placed in the country.

    Indian Television Dot Com exclusively spoke to the man of the evening, Ashish Bhasin to understand his goals for AAAI and the Indian media current state. 

    Goals you have set for yourself as president of the Advertising Agencies Association of India?

    Its a huge honour for me to be elected as the president of AAAI as we are in our 74th year. People who are so illustrious and stalwarts have occupied the position. My immediate past president Nakul Chopra has done a great job, So, the first goal is to live up to their standards.There is a complete change in the Media and Advertising industry and we have to change and adapt with times to make sure we continue to represent all constituents of our industry. And those constituents are constantly changing. Digital is now becoming pretty important today and we should encourage more digital agencies to be a part of AAAI. We also need to agile to the changing dynamics of the media industry and take up the industry’s issues as and when needed. 

    We also need to bring in younger people in the industry and also have more women on board. The vice president of the association this year is a female leader after a very long time. Anupriya Acharya is a very competent lady and its great to have her on board. 

    How do you view the current Indian advertising industry and what do you think are the challenges for the advertising industry?

    There is a complete momentum of change in the marketing and services business across and not just A&M. While there is an interplay between consumers going increasingly digital but we are lucky to be one of those few counties where all medias are increasing. Print and TV are still growing steadily in India. We also have to get out of the procurement and squeezing mindset so that enough resources are available with the agencies to invest in talent which they can use for their client. It is a period of change globally.  AAAI and the Indian industry should take this up as an opportunity and that’s where our focus will be. 

    What will the focus areas for AAAI this year?

    We want to be the apex body that best represents the advertising agencies along with other industry associations, the government or any other organisation. 

    AAAI is said to be the Big Boys Club. While we know there are fewer women in top leadership roles in the advertising industry, over the years we have never seen women as leaders or even participating much in AAAI. Why is that?

    It is a perception and we have to correct it. Some even call AAAI as “The Old Guy’s Club”. In an organisation, we need to have diversity and more women in the business as managers who take active roles. I am extremely pleased that after several years, we have  a female vice president and I hope and will work towards having many more women in the association. I hope our new EC will be a judicious mix of young and experienced because you need to have experienced people to have that continuity and wisdom which is gathered over the years. But we also need fresh and young blood in the organisation. We also want to include other agencies, be it big or small, so we are not labelled as a “Club”. 

  • AAAI honours senior media planner Roda Mehta

    MUMBAI: The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) has announced that the recipient of this year’s AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award is Roda Mehta. AAAI Award is the highest honour given to an individual in India for his/her outstanding contribution to the Advertising Industry. The AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Roda Mehta on 14 July 2017 in Mumbai.

    Mehta played a legendary and pioneering role in establishing scientific media planning and buying in India. While doing so, she built a whole generation of media professionals for the advertising industry.

    She joined Hindustan Thompson Associates in 1971 and became the first MBA and first woman in the Media function of an advertising agency in India. She moved to Ogilvy Benson & Mather in 1975, and rose from Media Group Head to Media Controller for Bombay Office in 1976 to representing Media for the first time on the Managing Committee of Bombay Office in 1978 to being sent to London for three months to introduce Account Planning and Research in the Indian operation in 1980 to the Board as Director – Media & Research in 1982. She transferred, as President – South in 1992, became Director -International Client Service in 1994, and Managing Consultant – the Media Network in 1996. Along the way, she pioneered Outdoor planning and buying and set up a Rural Media network to service client requirements.

    Invited on several committees and associations by the industry, including the Expert Committee on TV Marketing for Doordarshan & AIR, she was Founder Member of the Market Research Society of India (MRSI) and Founder Member and Chairperson – Technical Committee of the Media Research Users Council (MRUC). She chaired MRUC from 1994-96. Ms Mehta was also on the Board of several other committees including Advisory Board – Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (Govt of India), AAAI’s Media Disputes Committee, Economic Times Advisory Panel, etc. An avidly sought after speaker at industry conferences/seminars, she served as faculty on training programs run by Ogilvy & Mather India and Asia Pacific.

    Roda Mehta bagged several prestigious awards including the David Ogilvy Award for Asia Pacific & Agency of the Year Award (Public Service) 1992 for the National Literacy Mission campaign.

    Currently she is associated with several non-profit organisations as a Trustee of the Lila Poonawalla Foundation, which provides scholarships and mentoring to economically challenged girls from Maharashtra for post-graduate, graduate/diploma and secondary school education; Board Member & Treasurer of Nagrik Chetna Manch, a citizen’s watchdog organization on public expenditure. She administers a very active Citizens’ Whatsapp Group for civic affairs of PMC Ward 21 and is a practitioner of Kriya Yoga.

    Making the announcement, AAAI president Nakul Chopra stated, “Roda Mehta is a pioneer in more ways than one. This Award is well-deserved recognition for the stellar leadership she provided our industry and our eco-system for over two decades, during which time she also nurtured a whole generation of professional talent.”

    AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award Committee – Selection former chairman Ashish Bhasin said “Roda Mehta has single-handedly played a vital role in getting due respectability for the Media function in Advertising.” Members of the Selection Committee for this Award included Sam Balsara, Srinivasan K Swamy, Ambi Parameswaran and Nakul Chopra.

  • Anil Kapoor to be recognised with the AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award 2013

    Anil Kapoor to be recognised with the AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award 2013

    MUMBAI: The Advertising Agencies Association of India has announced that Draftfcb+Ulka chairman emeritus Anil Kapoor will be the recipient of AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award 2013. This Award is the highest honour given to an individual in India for his/her outstanding contribution to the Advertising industry.

    AAAI president Arvind Sharma said, “Anil is a highly respected professional and an acknowledged leader in the industry. With over 25 years of experience in the advertising industry, Anil has set the standard for strong business and managerial skills.”

    Anil has been one of the first Indian marketing and advertising professional to be given a leadership role beyond the borders of India and appointed to the global management council of a multinational agency

    Anil has been one of the first Indian marketing and advertising professional to be given a leadership role beyond the borders of India and appointed to the global management council of a multinational agency. His contribution to the Indian Advertising industry has been outstanding and his involvement in various industry bodies like AAAI, ABC, NRS, etc., has been admirable.

    Anil was responsible for establishing NRS, as an independent readership survey in India by actively counseling, driving and working with other industry bodies.

    More recently, Anil has been involved in the field of education and he was invited by the Stern School of Business, NY University, to be a Resident Professor.

    “Anil is known for his fair play and when it comes to competing he always upheld the highest standards of professional integrity. By selecting Anil for this honour, AAAI salutes his contribution to the Indian advertising industry”, added Arvind Sharma.

    AAAI salutes his contribution to the Indian advertising industry said Arvind Sharma

    The AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award recognises an individual’s achievement in the following areas: Leadership of the industry as an individual, contribution towards advancement and professionalism in the industry and exemplary personal integrity, values and ethics consistent with the standards expected.

    The AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Anil Kapoor at a glittering ceremony on 27 September at Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai, in the presence of the veterans of the advertising, marketing and the media world.