CAAAA elects Nagesh Alai as chairman

The Confederation of Asian Advertising Agency Associations (CAAAA) has elected Nagesh Alai of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) as its new chairman.

 

The announcement was made at its annual general meeting held on 21 April 2016 in Singapore.

 

Alai replaces Harris Thajeb of the Advertising Agencies Association of Indonesia, who has completed his two-year term. Alai is vice chairman, FCB Global.

 

He said, "The challenges faced by advertising businesses are similar across countries in Asia (and the world), only the degrees differ. Unbundling of services years ago lead to commoditisation of advertising services and now disintermediation is leading to disruptive changes. Remuneration and recruitment continue to be hurdles to the growth of the advertising industry. The industry's relevance is and never will be in doubt regardless of the rapid technological advances; but the business model is slowly and surely undergoing seismic changes. Those who recognise this will do well; it will be a survival of the fittest.”

 

He added, "CAAAA will continue to focus on these issues and help navigate these challenges by changing mindsets. A key focus for us will be to remain relevant at the macro level and render practical services at the micro level. For e.g., facilitate cross-border movement of talent across the region, this will help in splicing and grafting of new ways of thinking and working. The CAAAA team is all charged up."

 

Other elected committee members are:

 

Vice chairman - Tateo Mataki, Japan Advertising Agencies Association, Japan

Treasurer - Anthony Kang, Association of Accredited Advertising Agents, Singapore

Secretary - Romie Chen, The Association of Accredited Advertising Agents of Taipei, Taipei

Yang Hong Feng, China Advertising Association

Angela Ng, Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of Hong Kong, SAR China

Jay Paik, Korea Association of Advertising Agencies, Korea

Harris Thajeb (Immediate Past Chairman)