In a significant decision during its Annual General Body Meeting held today in Mumbai, the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) announced that Prasanth Kumar, CEO of GroupM Media (India), has been re-elected as the president for the 2024-25 term. This marks yet another milestone for Kumar as he continues to lead the association and steer the Indian advertising industry through dynamic changes.
Meanwhile, Rana Barua, the Group CEO of Havas India for Southeast Asia, North Asia (Japan and South Korea), has been unanimously chosen to serve as the vice president of AAAI for the third consecutive term, reinforcing the industry’s trust in his leadership.
New AAAI Board Members Announced
The AAAI has inducted several notable names into its board for the upcoming term, bringing together industry stalwarts from various sectors of the advertising world. The newly elected board members include:
- Sam Balsara – Madison Communications
- Tanya Goyal – Everest Brand Solutions
- Tapas Gupta – BEI Confluence Communication
- Vishandas Hardasani – Matrix Publicities and Media India
- Mohit Joshi – Havas Media India
- Santosh Kumar – Innocean Worldwide Communications
- Kunal Lalani – Crayons Advertising
- Rohan Mehta – Kinnect
- Chandramouli Muthu – Maitri Advertising Works, Cochin
- Vikram Sakhuja – Platinum Advertising
- Kalyan Sarkar – Standard Publicity
- K Srinivas – Sloka Advertising, Hyderabad
Additionally, Anupriya Acharya, the immediate past president of AAAI, will continue her contribution as the ex-officio member of the board.
Leadership Perspectives: Forward-Thinking and Innovation
Upon his re-election, Prasanth Kumar expressed his gratitude for the support and confidence that AAAI members have placed in him. He highlighted the importance of innovation in the advertising world, stating, “I am deeply honoured by the trust AAAI members have placed in me for another term. Our goal is to champion innovation, uphold high standards of planning and creativity, and support the industry through challenges and opportunities.”
Rana Barua, re-appointed as vice president, emphasized his dedication to the industry and the role of advertising in fostering growth. He said, “This appointment is a testament to the trust the industry places in me. I look forward to driving innovation and supporting the dynamic growth of our industry.”
Industry Veterans at the Helm
With over two decades of experience, Prasanth Kumar’s tenure has included leadership roles at companies like Pepsi, The Hindu, The Media Edge, and McCann Erickson before joining GroupM, where he has been for more than 20 years. His focus has been on fostering creativity and innovation while navigating the advertising landscape’s evolving demands.
Rana Barua, another seasoned professional, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, not just within the Indian market but across Southeast Asia and North Asia. He has been pivotal in enhancing the global presence of Havas India and remains committed to advancing the industry’s excellence in his role as vice president of AAAI.
As the new term unfolds, both Kumar and Barua are poised to lead the Indian advertising industry into its next phase of growth, continuing to champion creativity, innovation, and resilience.
Key Highlights:
- Prasanth Kumar was re-elected as president of AAAI for the 2024-25 term.
- Rana Barua was unanimously chosen as vice president for the third time.
- The newly elected AAAI board includes prominent industry leaders.
- Both Kumar and Barua aim to foster innovation and industry growth through their leadership.