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Tag: AFAA

  • Srinivasan Swamy inducted into AFAA hall of fame at Adasia Beijing

    Srinivasan Swamy inducted into AFAA hall of fame at Adasia Beijing

    MUMBAI: In a moment of well-deserved recognition, R K Swamy Ltd chairman Srinivasan Swamy has been inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA) at Adasia Beijing. The honour ‘AFAA’s highest’ was presented by AFAA  immediate past president Raymond So, before delegates from 32 countries.

    The citation celebrating Swamy’s extraordinary career highlighted his “quarter century spent in leading and building the largest Indian-owned integrated marketing services group”: the R K Swamy Hansa Group. It also commended his visionary leadership that has guided the global marketing and communications industry for over four decades.

    Over the years, Swamy has held numerous prestigious leadership positions across the industry. He has served as chairman of the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA), chairman and world president of the International Advertising Association (IAA), and chairman of the Confederation of Asian Advertising Agency Associations (CAAAA). He was also president of the India chapter of the IAA for an unprecedented four years, president of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) for three consecutive terms and was re-elected once again in 2025 and chairman of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). In addition, he has served as chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC), president of the All India Management Association (AIMA), the Madras chamber of commerce and industry, the Madras management association, and the Advertising club Madras.

    The citation also lauded his role in creating and leading major industry milestones. Swamy played a key part in conceptualising Goafest, steering the IAA world congress 2019, and spearheading the IAA silver jubilee summit in Kochi. He has also been instrumental in driving several editions of the confederation of Indian industry’s international brand summit and the AIMA world marketing congress, among other notable initiatives.

    Beyond the realm of advertising, Swamy has made a significant impact through his work with social, educational, medical, and cultural institutions. His involvement in community and religious causes has further reinforced his reputation as both an industry stalwart and a socially conscious leader.

    His illustrious career has earned him numerous national and international accolades. He is the only Indian to have received the award of appreciation from the Japan Advertising Association, the IAA Global Compass Award for outstanding contribution to the industry, and the Adstar Korea Lifetime Honour Award. Among his many other honours are the AFAA special merit award, the IAA Inspire champion award, the IAA North Star medal, and the honorary life fellowship from the All India Management Association.

    Swamy has also been recognised closer to home with lifetime achievement awards from the advertising agencies association of India, Indira institutions, the Rotary Club of Guindy, and the Advertising Club Madras. He has been inducted into the IAA India chapter hall of fame and was honoured with the Distinguished alumni award by the Alagappa College of Technology during its platinum jubilee celebrations.

    Known for his friendly demeanour, generous spirit, and wise counsel, Srinivasan Swamy continues to inspire the advertising fraternity across the world. His induction into the AFAA hall of fame cements his position as one of India’s most respected global advertising leaders: a visionary who has built an enduring legacy of leadership, learning, and lasting impact.
     

  • AdAsia 2025 invites India to Macau for a marketing carnival with desi flavour

    AdAsia 2025 invites India to Macau for a marketing carnival with desi flavour

    MUMBAI: At Goafest 2025, Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA) chairman Srinivasan K Swamy took to the stage to give India’s adland a tempting invitation: Macau is calling. Promoting the upcoming 39 edition of AdAsia—Asia’s largest and oldest advertising congress—Swamy laid out a compelling case for Indian participation in this high-octane, cross-cultural marketing festival.

    Scheduled for 27 August 2025, the event will take place in the glitzy heart of Macau and marks the 13 time AdAsia is being hosted in Asia since its inception in 1958. “Macau offers a vibrant, unique experience”, Swamy said, as he pitched the city not just as a conference host but as a creative playground.

    Swamy noted that the lineup boasts over 30 global speakers, including several Indian industry stalwarts. “Known for top-tier content and speakers”, the event promises insight, inspiration, and a heavy dose of networking.

    The push this year? More Indian presence. Swamy shared that the organisers are targeting over 100 Indian delegates and reassured the crowd that home comforts wouldn’t be missing. “Indian food and hospitality will be arranged”, he promised, garnering a few knowing laughs from the audience.

    He closed with a rallying call for professionals across agencies, brands, and media to join the India delegation. “All are invited to join the India delegation”, Swamy said, making it clear that AdAsia 2025 isn’t just about geography—it’s about bringing the continent’s finest together on one stage.

  • AdAsia 2021: Ramesh Narayan inducted into AFAA Hall of Fame

    AdAsia 2021: Ramesh Narayan inducted into AFAA Hall of Fame

    Mumbai: Canco Advertising founder and Indian advertising doyen Ramesh Narayan was inducted into the prestigious Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA) Hall of Fame at the inaugural session of the AdAsia conference being held at Macao between 3 and 4 December.

    Thanking AFAA for the honour, Narayan said, “I have had the amazing experience to be a part of an industry that keeps the wheels of our economies moving. That ensures more employment across the world. That gives individuals the right to choose. That educates, and entertains and spreads awareness.”

    The first day of the conference being held as a virtual event this year, was streamed into a hybrid event held at Mumbai to present the AFAA awards.

    The event also saw Pradeep Guha posthumously inducted into the AFAA Hall of Fame for 2019 and Srinivasan Swamy being presented with the AFAA Special Merit Award for 2019. Swamy was recently elected AFAA chairman for a term of four years. 

    “The AFAA Hall of Fame sets out to recognise the best of the very best. It’s for those who’ve defined a generation of advertising.  Those who we look up to, who inspire us. Who have done what few others have ever done or could ever do. For those who have pioneered. Those who have been on top, stayed there and will always be there. The very few we can call legends,” said outgoing AFAA chairman Raymond So.

    Narayan has earlier been honoured by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) with their Lifetime Achievement Award, the International Advertising Association (Global) with their Global Champion Award, the India Chapter of the IAA with an induction into their Hall of Fame, the Public Relations Society of India with their Special Award, and the Association of Business Communicators of India (ABCI) with their Lifetime Achievement Award.

  • AFAA elects Srinivasan Swamy as chairman

    AFAA elects Srinivasan Swamy as chairman

    Mumbai: The Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA) has elected Srinivasan Swamy as its chairman for a term of four years, at its general body meeting held on Tuesday.

    Swamy, a doyen of advertising and the chairman of R K Swamy Hansa Group, has held leadership positions in many industry bodies at a national and global level. He has been International Advertising Association (IAA) chairman and world president, Confederation of Asian Advertising Agency Associations (CAAAA) chairman, Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) president, IAA India Chapter, Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) chairman, All India Management  Association (AIMA) president, to name a few.

    “This is a privilege not just for me but for the Indian marcomm community at large. The AFAA not just hosts the prestigious AdAsia conference, but is also connected with AdStars, and runs the widely acclaimed FastTrack program where young professionals are trained and transformed in a three-day program,” said Swamy. “I look forward to making a meaningful contribution to the communications industry in Asia, as well as seeing how AFAA can work along with other global industry Associations and further the cause of professionalism.”

    India gave AFAA two distinguished Chairmen in the past – Gautam Rakshit and Pradeep Guha.

    AFAA is represented in India by the Advertising Council of India (ACI) whose members are The Advertising Club, Advertising Agencies Association of India, the India Chapter of International Advertising Association, Indian Broadcasting and Digital Association, and the Indian Society of Advertisers.

  • Ramesh Narayan to be inducted into AFAA Hall of Fame

    Ramesh Narayan to be inducted into AFAA Hall of Fame

    Mumbai: Canco Advertising founder and Indian advertising doyen Ramesh Narayan will be inducted into the prestigious Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA) Hall of Fame at the AdAsia 2021 slated to be held in Macau between 3 and 4 December.

    “The AFAA Hall of Fame sets out to recognise the best of the very best. It’s for those who’ve defined a generation of advertising.  Those who we look up to, who inspire us. Who have done what few others have ever done or could ever do. For those who have pioneered. Those who have been on top, stayed there and will always be there. The very few we can call legends,” said AFAA chairman, Raymond So.

    “Ramesh Narayan is a legend who has the ability to look past what’s ‘good enough’ and focus on making everything ‘better than it has to be’,” he further said.

    He added, “Ramesh is known for his integrity and truthfulness. He is a true leader who generously gave his time to build a better future for the advertising industry and social causes. Ramesh is a gentleman and role model.”

    “I am really happy that AFAA has chosen Ramesh for their highest award. A well-earned recognition for all his self-effacing hard work, real commitment, continuous guidance and voluntary support that he has provided AFAA for over two decades,” said  IAA Global immediate past chairman & world president, and AFAA vice-chairman, Srinivasan Swamy. “It is not wrong to say that he was one of the builders of AFAA, to what it is today. I do hope he will continue to guide the Asian industry, the way he only can!”

    Narayan has earlier been honoured by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) with their Lifetime Achievement Award, the International Advertising Association (Global) with their Global Champion Award, the India Chapter of the IAA with an induction into their Hall of Fame, the Public Relations Society of India with their Special Award, and the Association of Business Communicators of India (ABCI) with their Lifetime Achievement Award.

    He has also been president of the Rotary Club of India and the recipient of many Club and District awards. 

  • Ad Asia: India team leader Kataria has in-depth understanding of market dynamics, says Nayak

    Ad Asia: India team leader Kataria has in-depth understanding of market dynamics, says Nayak

    MUMBAI: The Advertising Council of India (ACI) & The Advertising Club have announced the appointment of Sunil Kataria, Business head, Godrej Consumer Products as leader of the Indian delegation for the AdAsia Congress to be held in Bali. The 30th edition of the esteemed media and advertising awards organized bi-annually by the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA) will see global marketing and creative industry practitioners be a part of the ideas exchange platform.

    Asian Federation of Advertising Associations vice chairman and Advertising Council of India representative K Srinivasan said “Ad Asia is a great forum for the Indian creative and media maestros to interact with other global practitioners on evolving industry trends. Having someone which such rich and versatile multi-functional and sectoral experience as Sunil Kataria lead the Indian delegation is sure to ensure that the India delegation plays an inspiring and impactful role at the congress.”

    The Advertising Club president Raj Nayak said: “India has been at the forefront of some ground-breaking and high impact media campaigns. A coveted knowledge platform like Ad Asia 2017 is a great place to showcase the immersive and transformational work being done by the India media and advertising diaspora. With Sunil helming the Indian delegation, we are sure to receive the best representation at the form. Sunil with his in-depth understanding of the Indian market dynamics and global trends in sure to add significant value to the Indian delegation.”

    Kataria said “I am honored to be nominated to lead the Indian contingent to the prestigious congress. The forum is a great platform for the fraternity to network with global creative leads and jam on media and marketing trends in the new social paradigm that we are currently in. We hope to have significant Indian representation at the event and would hence urge maximum participation by corporates at the event.”

  • Srinivasan K Swamy is new ASCI chairman

    Srinivasan K Swamy is new ASCI chairman

    MUMBAI: Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has appointed the industry stalwart Srinivasan K Swamy as the chairman, as the incumbent head Benoy Roychowdhury’s term comes to a close. R K Swamy Hansa BBDO chairman Sundar Swamy, as he is popularly addressed, was serving as the vice-chairman of the board of ASCI during the HT Media executive director Roychowdhury’s term.

    About his primary focus as the chairman, Swamy said, “My focus will be to inform the world about ASCI’s Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) and its members, who preview every objectionable advertisement independent of the ASCI board of governors. These members hail from the civil society consisting of consumer activists, educationists and lawyers, etc. Basically, the decision taken by them reflects a consumer’s decision.”

    His appointment as the chairman doesn’t come as a surprise given his contribution to the advertising community in India as the head of R K Swamy Hansa BBDO.

    Apart from this, Swamy has played important roles in several industry bodies : International Advertising Association (IAA), Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA), Confederation of Asian Advertising Agency Associations, ll India Management Association (AIMA), The Madras Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and the list goes on.

    Recently, Swamy was conferred with this year’s AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI).

  • Srinivasan K Swamy is new ASCI chairman

    Srinivasan K Swamy is new ASCI chairman

    MUMBAI: Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has appointed the industry stalwart Srinivasan K Swamy as the chairman, as the incumbent head Benoy Roychowdhury’s term comes to a close. R K Swamy Hansa BBDO chairman Sundar Swamy, as he is popularly addressed, was serving as the vice-chairman of the board of ASCI during the HT Media executive director Roychowdhury’s term.

    About his primary focus as the chairman, Swamy said, “My focus will be to inform the world about ASCI’s Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) and its members, who preview every objectionable advertisement independent of the ASCI board of governors. These members hail from the civil society consisting of consumer activists, educationists and lawyers, etc. Basically, the decision taken by them reflects a consumer’s decision.”

    His appointment as the chairman doesn’t come as a surprise given his contribution to the advertising community in India as the head of R K Swamy Hansa BBDO.

    Apart from this, Swamy has played important roles in several industry bodies : International Advertising Association (IAA), Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA), Confederation of Asian Advertising Agency Associations, ll India Management Association (AIMA), The Madras Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and the list goes on.

    Recently, Swamy was conferred with this year’s AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI).

  • ACI to Fast Track six professionals to Kuala Lumpur

    ACI to Fast Track six professionals to Kuala Lumpur

    MUMBAI: The Advertising Council of India (ACI) which includes The Indian Society of Advertisers, The Advertising Agencies Association of India, The Indian Broadcasters Foundation, The International Advertising Association and The Advertising Club, will be sponsoring six professionals for a special Fast Track program curated by the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA). The program called “Fast Track” will be run in Kuala Lumpur between 20th and 22ndSeptember 2016.

    This opportunity is available to young (below 35 years of age) professionals with at least five years work experience in marketing, advertising and media.

    Candidates desirous of taking advantage of this industry-oriented initiative need send in their applications with a brief profile of themselves, their valid passport number and a 100 words piece on “How I would improve certain aspects of our industry that I believe need improving” to acifasttrack@gmail.com by 16 August 2016.

    Six of them would fly to Malaysia for an all-expenses trip that would otherwise cost around USD 2500.

    Speaking on behalf of the ACI AFAA vice chairman Srinivasan K. Swamy said “We see this effort as our way of helping develop talent and ultimately enriching our industry.” He further added, “This is the fourth time the ACI would be undertaking this initiative. The response from the first three initiatives was overwhelming, so we are investing in the future of our industry once again.”

  • ACI to Fast Track six professionals to Kuala Lumpur

    ACI to Fast Track six professionals to Kuala Lumpur

    MUMBAI: The Advertising Council of India (ACI) which includes The Indian Society of Advertisers, The Advertising Agencies Association of India, The Indian Broadcasters Foundation, The International Advertising Association and The Advertising Club, will be sponsoring six professionals for a special Fast Track program curated by the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA). The program called “Fast Track” will be run in Kuala Lumpur between 20th and 22ndSeptember 2016.

    This opportunity is available to young (below 35 years of age) professionals with at least five years work experience in marketing, advertising and media.

    Candidates desirous of taking advantage of this industry-oriented initiative need send in their applications with a brief profile of themselves, their valid passport number and a 100 words piece on “How I would improve certain aspects of our industry that I believe need improving” to acifasttrack@gmail.com by 16 August 2016.

    Six of them would fly to Malaysia for an all-expenses trip that would otherwise cost around USD 2500.

    Speaking on behalf of the ACI AFAA vice chairman Srinivasan K. Swamy said “We see this effort as our way of helping develop talent and ultimately enriching our industry.” He further added, “This is the fourth time the ACI would be undertaking this initiative. The response from the first three initiatives was overwhelming, so we are investing in the future of our industry once again.”