Goafest 2016: The Ad Club and AAAI announce Awards Governing Council

Ramesh Narayan, advertising veteran and founder of Canco Advertising, has been appointed chairman of the Awards Governing Council for Goafest 2016.

The Advertising Club and Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) have announced the Awards Governing Council (AGC) for Goafest 2016. The AGC will be headed by Ramesh Narayan, ad veteran and founder of Canco Advertising, as chairman. The other members elected to the AGC are Nakul Chopra, chairman, Goafest Organising Committee and CEO and vice-president, Publicis South Asia, Ambi M G Parameshwaran, president, Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and advisor, FCB Ulka Advertising, Ashish Bhasin, chairman and CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network, Rohit Gupta, president, Sony Pictures Networks, CVL Srinivas, CEO, GroupM, South Asia, Shashi Sinha, CEO, Mediabrands, Ajay Chandwani, CEO, Percept H, Namrata Tata, national head, sales, English cluster, Viacom 18, Rana Barua, CEO, Contract Advertising, and Pratap Bose, founding partner and chairman, The Social Street.

Announcing the appointment, Raj Nayak, president, The Advertising Club, says, "We are pleased to announce that Ramesh Narayan will be the chairman of the Awards Governing Council of Goafest 2016. He brings with him his unique experience as one of the few people who have been president of the Advertising Club and the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI). He has also been chairman of the Abby Awards Committee twice, and was the first Indian to judge the Effie Awards finals in New York. Narayan is also the only person to have been conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award by the AAAI, as well as been inducted into the International Advertising Association's Hall of Fame."

Welcoming the announcement, Parameshwaran adds, "Ad Club is a wonderful institution. I am delighted to hear about Narayan's appointment. With his unparalleled understanding of India's advertising scenario, and years of valuable experience, Narayan is sure to bring in a whole new perspective which will drive the council to greater heights of success."

"I've known Narayan as a visionary leader who embraces change and is open to new ideas. I'm sure his appointment means an interesting phase for the Council," Chopra further adds.

Talking about his appointment, Narayan says, "I'm humbled by this appointment. It fills me with happiness to be part of such an esteemed panel. There's a lot to learn and grow, and I'm sure I'll be able to add value to the Council. I look forward to reach out to all stakeholders and get their suggestions on how to make this the gold standard for awards."

Founded in 1954, The Ad Club is an industry body that provides a dynamic platform for professionals from the advertising, marketing, media, research, and communication fraternity to interact with one another. The mission of the club is to create forums and events to help its members improve their professional competence, thereby raising the standards of Indian advertising.