The International Advertising Association’s (IAA) India Chapter felicitated winners of the eighth edition of its coveted Leadership Awards at the Taj Land’s End Hotel, Mumbai on September 24.
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari was the Chief Guest at the event. Among the big winners were RS Sodhi, Managing Director, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (Amul) (IAA Business Leader of the Year), Bobby Pawar, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, Havas Group (IAA Creative Agency Leader of the Year); Nandini Dias, CEO, Lodestar UM (IAA Media Agency Leader of the Year) and NP Singh, MD and CEO, Sony Pictures Networks India (IAA Media Person of the Year). Veteran actor and film producer Anil Kapoor was named IAA Brand Endorser of the Year.
RS Sodhi, Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari and Megha Tata |
Receiving the award, Sodhi said, “I feel very privileged and honoured. There is a lot of pressure on the marketing and advertising industry today, and creativity in the local language could bring you closer to Earth and make you more relevant.”
NP Singh and Governor BS Koshyari |
Nandini Dias and Governor BS Koshyari |
MEGHA TATA TO LEAD IAA AGAIN
Meanwhile, the IAA India Chapter has re-elected Megha Tata, MD, South Asia, Discovery Communications India as its president for the second term. Other office-bearers for the year 2021-22 include Pradeep Dwivedi, Group CEO and Executive Director, Eros International Media as vice president; Nandini Dias, CEO, Lodestar UM as secretary and Abhishek Karnani, Director, The Free Press Journal as treasurer.
Raj Nayak, Bhaskar Das and Megha Tata |
RAJ NAYAK INDUCTED INTO IAA HALL OF FAME
Raj Nayak, Founder and MD, House of Cheer, was inducted into IAA's 'Hall of Fame' for a lifetime dedicated to the marcom industry and for his sterling role in directing the India Chapter of IAA towards being the voice of sustainability. An emotional Nayak referred to himself as destiny's child. “Everything that has happened to me in my career has happened by default and not by design. I got into the advertising media and entertainment business by default too,” he recalled. He then shared a few learnings from his illustrious career. “One, be consistent; don't get carried away by titles and designations. People will forget all that, they will only remember you for who you are and how you made them feel. Two, stay grounded, stay humble. As Golda Meir said: ‘Humility is the only asset that grows with time’. Three, since we are all in advertising and marketing, think of yourself as a brand and attribute values to it and be very mindful to live up to those values. Remember, it takes years to build your brand equity and just a few seconds to let it erode. Learn to have gratitude, acknowledge your privileges and practise to be happy,” Nayak said.
