Advertising Agencies Association of India( AAAI) has unanimously elected Anupriya Acharya as its new President. She takes over the charge from Dentsu’s Ashish Bhasin. Acharya is currently the CEO of Publicis Groupe South Asia. On the other hand, Prasanth Kumar CEO, South Asia, GroupM was unanimously elected Vice-President of the Association.

Other elected members of the Executive Committee are Anand Bhadkamkar, Kunal Lalani
, Mohit Joshi
, Pranav Premnarayen, Rana Barua and Vivek Srivastava. Ashish Bhasin will be the ex-officio member of the AAAI Executive Committee for 2020-21 as its immediate past President.

On this occasion, Anupriya Acharya, President AAAI, said, “It’s a tremendous honour and also an enormous responsibility to be elected as the President of such a prestigious organisation. I am acutely aware that our industry, like the rest of the world, has just witnessed the most unprecedented times and it’s a difficult time for most. The pandemic has only underscored the relevance of collective thinking and the heightened role that AAAI can play. I will strive to do my best to further the interests of the advertising industry and take AAAI to greater heights as we emerge into the new normal. Many top advertising professionals have contributed very selflessly and relentlessly to the AAAI, both with and without executive positions. And that is what inspires me immensely as I take on this position. Many thanks to Ashish Bhasin for his leadership in the last two years as President – he has made great progress in making the association more inclusive, diverse and future-ready. Also thanks to all the Executive committee members and the secretariat for all the learning they have given me in the past many years”.

Ashish Bhasin

Outgoing President Ashish Bhasin stated, “I have had the privilege to lead AAAI for two years as its president, I wish to thank all my fellow executive committee members for their wholehearted cooperation and valuable support. I would also like to congratulate Anupriya Acharya on her election as President. Anupriya has been a key member of the Indian media and advertising industry for a long time. I’m sure she will play a stellar role in taking forward the Association and its work. I wish her the very best for this role.”

First Published:Sept 22, 2020 4:04 PM IST