Prasoon Joshi to receive AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award 2025

The Advertising Agencies Association of India has announced that Prasoon Joshi will be conferred with the AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025. Established in 1988, the award recognises individuals who have contributed significantly to Indian advertising and inspired practitioners through sustained creative leadership.

Joshi, CEO and cco of McCann Worldgroup India and chairman Asia Pacific, has played a central role in shaping contemporary Indian advertising for nearly three decades. His work is grounded in ethos, emotional depth and cultural specificity, positioning Indian creativity effectively on the international stage. Alongside his advertising career, Joshi has written lyrics and screenplays for Indian cinema, achievements that have earned him national and international recognition. He is also among the youngest industry leaders to receive the Padmashri.

Srinivasan K Swamy, president of the AAAI, said: “Prasoon Joshi stands tall as one of the most inspiring creative minds of our times. His ability to blend insight, emotion, and cultural context into powerful storytelling has made a difference to Indian advertising at the global stage. The AAAI is happy to honour a professional whose work has not only elevated brands but also enriched society’s creative conscience.”

Jaydeep Gandhi, chairman of the AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award Committee, added: “Prasoon Joshi’s journey is a masterclass in the power of ideas and integrity in creativity. His work reflects a rare balance of commercial success and artistic sensitivity. The Committee members were unanimous in their choice to recognise Prasoon with this honour.”

The award will be presented at an upcoming ceremony hosted by the AAAI. It is conferred annually on an individual with at least twenty-five years of advertising experience in senior leadership, active involvement in industry bodies, a record of ethical practice and contributions to industry development, company growth and socially relevant initiatives.

Past awardees include Subhas Ghosal, Alyque Padamsee, Mike Khanna, R K Swamy, Piyush Pandey, Sam Balsara, Prem Mehta, Srinivasan Swamy, Ramesh Narayan, Roda Mehta, Ram Sehgal, Madhukar Kamath, Arvind Sharma, Colvyn Harris, Shashi Sinha and Vikram Sakhuja. Founded in 1945, the AAAI serves as the national organisation of advertising agencies in India, promoting professional standards and safeguarding member interests.