PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA — The Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) recently held its 15th Biennial General Meeting, with an election to determine its Council office bearers who will serve the not-for-profit industry body for the next two years.
Mr. Andrew Lee, Group Managing Director of Havas Group Malaysia, was re-elected as the President for a third consecutive term, whilst Ms. Nizwani Shahar, Chief Executive of Ogilvy Malaysia was elected as the new Vice President.
“The work of the 4As continues to be essential, especially in the unprecedented environment brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Mr. Lee. “Whether it is through offering online courses to promote staff training, or engaging in advocacy work, the 4As is focused on assisting its Member Agencies with both day-to-day and big-picture issues.”
“Notwithstanding these extraordinary challenges, the 4As will continue to pursue its five primary goals which are providing industry guidance and leadership; raising industry standards and professionalism; fostering continuous professional development for the attraction and retention of agency talent; promoting commercial creativity and its effectiveness; and serving as the government’s principal information source and advisor on advertising,” added Mr. Lee.
Commenting on Ms. Nizwani’s appointment as the Association’s new Vice President, Mr. Lee said “I am delighted to have Nizwani, a talented advertising professional with the passion to grow the advertising and communication industry as our new Vice President. I hope to see more young talents like Niz joining the 4As council in the near future.”
Both Mr. Lee and Ms. Nizwani will work jointly with other Council members and Dato’ Johnny Mun, Managing Director of Oxygen Advertising and 4As Senior Advisor, as well as Mr. Khairudin Rahim, 4As Chief Executive Officer, to accomplish the Association’s objectives.
The election also saw the induction of Council members from the following companies:
- Crush Communications
- Ellipsis Asia
- Forefront Studio
- Grey Worldwide
- Hakuhodo Malaysia
- Monster Interactive
- NagaDDB
- Oxygen Advertising
- Shinajii
- TBWA Kuala Lumpur
Highlights of the 4As achievements in 2020 include the Association’s support of its members by offering waivers on the annual levy at the onset of the pandemic lockdown, as well as rapidly offering 8 free online courses with top-rated IPA trainers that benefitted 270 employees from member Agencies, and a networking lecture series conducted via video conferencing; continuing to leverage its long term relationship with the Chartered Institute for Practitioners of Advertising (IPA) UK to offer a range of professional qualifications, as well as the disbursement of scholarship funds to enable more Agencies to send their staff for training; the successful completion of the Putra Brand Awards, and the soon to be announced Effie Awards despite the challenging organizational obstacles.
Following the election, the 4As has pledged to continue its work in supporting member Agencies, whilst working closely with various government ministries, regulatory bodies, tertiary institutions, and the business press to nurture the advertising sector as a force for good and a driver of economic recovery and growth.
For more information on the 4As, please visit aaaa.org.my
