Mumbai, October 29, 2005:

The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI), an industry body comprising all the major advertising agencies -- which account for about 80 per cent of the advertising revenues emanating in India -- has completed 60 years of professional involvement in the country. To celebrate its diamond jubilee year, AAAI has planned a number of events throughout the year with a view to enrich the advertising community and the marketing and business community as a whole.

As a part of the celebrations, AAAI will present a star-studded symposium in Mumbai from November 9 to 11, (Wednesday to Friday) where a host of eminent speakers will deliberate on The Future of Advertising. The symposium will focus on how advertising was traditionally known and the way it has changed dramatically within a very short period of time. It will look at how consumers have changed and the way audiences are reacting to advertising messages; and, above all, on how impressions and opinions about a brand are not influenced by advertising alone.

Luminaries from all over the globe will present their vision of the future of advertising, the outlook in this field and in the global economy, and the changing face of the media. This symposium shall examine the future consumers, future communication challenges, convergence and new media,
and newer research to read trends. It is expected to attract participation from about 800 delegates.

Colvyn Harris, CEO, JWT India, and Chairman of the Steering Committee for the symposium, said, AAAI has served well the cause of advertising and its development in the last 60 years, and it is time to strengthen the role played by the association, given the current market dynamics. With an impressive line-up of eminent speakers and thought provoking subjects, this symposium will shed light on the challenges and opportunities that face the advertising industry. I am positive this will go a long way in consolidating the industry and paving the way for its growth going forward. We intend to deliberate the macro economic aspect of the potential of India, and the changed role advertising will play in the future. For a business and a brand with ambition, it is this critical area which makes a business successful in the long run.

Some of the eminent speakers who will speak at the symposium include Shashi Tharoor, Under Secretary-General, United Nations; the celebrated Stefan Engeseth, author of ONE and Detective Marketing; Michael Birkin, Vice-Chairman, Omnicom; Arun Adhikari, Managing Director, Hindustan Lever; Tony Wright, CEO, Lowe Worldwide; David Guerrero, Creative Head Asia, BBDO; Irwin Gottleib, CEO, Group M Worldwide.

According to Sundar Swamy, President of the AAAI," the diamond jubilee is an important milestone for the association and various events have been planned across the year to commemorate this 60 this year milestone.

Ramesh Narayan, Chairman Diamond Jubilee Celebrations said, "Its been a busy year. AAAI has planned seminars, conventions, publications and events to commemorate and celebrate this year. In fact, AAAIs diamond jubilee year commenced with a change in the associations identity, which was redesigned to be relevant to the changing times. AAAI now sports a simple yet modern logo and a logotype that reflects the abbreviation of its name. This change of identity and design is evocative of AAAIs role in modulating the industrys cadence and resonating the positions and principles of its membership."

Attractively priced with the intention to give back to the profession, the symposium is expected to attract delegates from across India.

About AAAI

The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) is the official, national organisation of advertising agencies, formed to promote their industry interests so that they continue to make an essential and ever-increasing contribution to the nation. The AAAI today is truly representative, with a very large number of small, medium and large-sized agencies as its members, who together account for almost 80% of the advertising business placed in the country. It is thus recognised at all forums -- advertisers, media owners and associations, and even Government -- as the spokesperson for the advertising industry.