Simon Sankarayya appointed D&AD President

Simon ‘Sanky’ Sankarayya, co-founder of interactive agency AllofUs, has been appointed as the president of D&AD by the executive committee. 

Prior to Sankarayya's appointment, Paul Brazier held the post. Brazier stepped down after he completed his three-year term on the executive committee. 

Sankarayya started his career as a graffiti artist, after which he joined Digit as an art director when it was founded in 1995.  He left Digit nine years later to join AllofUs.

He has been associated with D&AD over the last year for the development of its new website, which will launch at the end of this month.

Commenting on his new role at D&AD, Sankarayya said, "I want to act as a bridge between advertising and design, ensuring a ‘digital spine’ runs through all of D&AD’s activities. I want to support new talent and give graduates the leg up that they need and engage with smaller agencies and individuals that are shaping our industry through a variety of smaller events and taking a fresh look at what we have to offer online."

The following D&AD members have been elected to the executive committee following elections in August: Rosie Arnold (BBH), Mark Bonner (GBH), Neville Brody (Research Studios), Andy Cheetham (JWT), Bryan Clark (University College Falmouth), Vince Frost (Frost), Steven Johnson (The Hub), Ben Priest (adam&eve), Mike Stephenson (Moon), Alexandra Taylor (Mrs McGuinty), Seal Toal (The Creative Rebellion).

The following D&AD Members have stepped down from the Executive Committee: Paul Brazier (AMV.BBDO), Mark Denton (Coy! Communications), Bill Mawhinney (BJL), Steve Mykolyn (Taxi), Greg Quinton (The PartnersJane Scherbaum, V&A).