The Hindu Business Line : IAA in the USA

Looks like the India Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) of which he is president really struck it rich in the US. Industry leaders who returned to India after being a part of the IAA Indian delegation that toured the Silicon Valley for an overview of developments in new age media were nothing short of ecstatic about the success of their tour.

It seems they spent a day each at Microsoft, Yahoo, Google and Disney and seem to have received a very warm welcome wherever they went. Evidently, Jerry Yang (CEO) and Sue Decker (President) of Yahoo themselves were present at a party hosted for the visitors from India. Similarly, senior executives at the other companies gave the delegates insights into the fascinating world of digital media. The 23 delegates from India who included top honchos from media, advertising and marketing were apparently unanimous that Pradeep Guha had done a marvellous job in conceiving and implementing this unique study tour. They are already talking about wanting another tour. Well, join the IAA and see the world! We are told Guha’s term as president is coming to an end later this month, but after such a successful year, there would surely be an encore. We’ll keep you posted.

AdAsia 2007

Madhukar Kamath

As we go to print the delegate-mobilisation drive for the AdAsia 2007 at the picturesque Jeju Islands in Korea does not seem to have gone into overdrive yet.

The count seems to be hovering around the forties. Some distance before the 100-plus figure that was mustered for the last AdAsia at Singapore is covered. Why? Observers had many reasons to offer. Firstly, the Singapore Congress was far from inspiring and that could affect this year’s efforts. Secondly, Korea is not such an exciting destination. Thirdly, and this is in the realm of gossip, the change in the Leader of the Delegation (yes, we were right in speculating earlier that Sundar Swamy has been replaced by Madhukar Kamath) has resulted in some confusion. Finally, and we subscribe to this theory, Indians are last-minute wonders. They wait and watch and finally decide at the eleventh hour.

Well, I guess if that is right, Kamath has nothing to worry about. He will still get to lead a handsome delegation to Korea.

Honour for Goutam

Goutam Rakshit

This time at the AdAsia October 2007 in Korea, some industry veterans from all over Asia who have significantly contributed to the advertising industry and to the fraternity in general will be honoured.

The only Indian in that prestigious ‘A’ list is Goutam Rakshit of Advertising Avenues. Rakshit was the Chairman of the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA) in 2003 and presided over the AdAsia 2003 in Jaipur. Industry sources say he has done a lot to make India a force to reckon within the AFAA community. Incidentally, we are informed that Rakshit, who has headed the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) and the Advertising Standards Council of India ( ASCI) was also President of the AAAI thrice. Congratulations, Mr Rakshit! As some would say to the person whose agency created the Onida devil, Rakshit is now “neighbour’s envy, country’s pride”.

AdAsia 2011

Yes, it is confirmed that India is bidding to host the 2011 AdAsia. Obviously, you read about it first, right here.

A high-powered team with Madhukar Kamath, the President of the AAAI, his Vice-President Colvyn Harris of JWT and Bhaskar Das, President, AdClub Bombay, will be leading the charge. As one industry veteran quipped, the way things are going in Pakistan (where AdAsia 2009 is scheduled to be held), India might end up having to host the AdAsia in 2009 itself.

BARC formed

Sometimes it is better to report news rather than break it. We read that the JIB (Joint Industry Body) consisting of representatives of ISA (Indian Society of Advertisers), IBF (Indian Broadcasters Foundation) and AAAI (Advertising Agencies Association of India) has been disbanded. A new association called BARC has been formed consisting of members of ISA, IBF and AAAI. If you have understood something that we haven’t, please write in. We will just say if the wine gets any older, and the bottle any newer, we will choke.

Defining image

This week’s defining image has to be the news about the launch of a series of comics featuring Baba Ramdev, Move over Archie, Phantom and Superman. Welcome Baba Ramdev! Why say three cheers to that? How about three deep breaths to that?

Victoria

Victoria invites comments at brandline@thehindu.co.in