IAA hosts second Leadership Forum

THE INTERNATIONAL Advertising Association (IAA), Sri Lanka Chapter is hosting the second IAA Leadership Forum to be held in Sri Lanka. This will be held on Tuesday, August 21, at the Cinnamon Grand, and will include several insightful presentations focusing on the future of the industry.

The IAA Leadership Forum will have two speakers of international repute and will also reveal the findings of a pioneering research project commissioned exclusively by the IAA Sri Lanka Chapter.

This year’s forum promises to be the most significant event in the Sri Lankan marketing communications calendar of 2007.

Following upon the success of the inaugural IAA Leadership Forum last year, the format for this year’s sessions will remain vastly unchanged; however there will be a significant advancement in the content.

An exclusive study conducted by the Research Consultancy Bureau (RCB) on the youth of Sri Lanka titled “3rd Place - Sri Lankan Youth” will be in the spotlight as the first presentation of the day to be made by the RCB’s Ravi and Janaki Bamunusinghe. The study, commissioned by the IAA, is an invaluable exposition of youth in places other than home, school and office.

IAA Sri Lanka Chapter President Ranil de Silva said this forum aims to provide insights into the marketing communications industry to propel Sri Lanka’s industry to world class standards. He continued, “I am certain that this year’s sessions will be beneficial to the leaders in our industry as we have truly world class people lined up to make presentations.”

The second presentation of the day will be conducted by Richard Dale, the first of the acclaimed international speakers featured at the Forum this year. Dale, who holds the esteemed position of Engagement Planning Director of Leo Burnett Worldwide, received shining reviews for this presentation when he made it at Cannes 2007.

The Forum will also feature Michael Conrad, former Chief Creative Officer of Leo Burnett Worldwide, and current President of the Berlin School of Creative Leadership, as this year’s key note speaker. Conrad’s address will focus on the development of creative leadership, judgement, inspiration and collaboration to create quality ideas that inspire enduring belief.

The IAA Leadership Forum is aimed at developing the local marketing communications industry and is designed for the leaders of marketing companies, the media and the advertising industry. Attendance is only by invitation.