Two Australian advertising executives are among the winners of the inaugural International Advertising Association (IAA) Inspire Awards, announced this week in London.
The IAA Inspire Awards have been created to celebrate IAA members who have achieved leadership excellence and contributed their vision, ideas, efforts and services to the advancement of the International Advertising Association; and who have contributed their professional expertise and inspired the marketing communications industry locally, regionally and globally.
The Australian winners are Sheba Nandkeolyar, the CEO of MultiConnexions, who won a Champion Award and Dan Richardson, the head of data and trading at Yahoo7, who won a Young Leader Award. Nandkeolyar is on the Board of IAA Australia, while Richardson is president of the IAA Young Professionals Australia Chapter.
The Champion Award pays tribute to the lifetime achievements and services of leaders in the IAA and their contributions to the global marketing communications industry. The awards recognise those individuals who are significantly contributing leadership in the IAA Young Professionals arena and creating dynamics in the marketing communications industry despite their relatively recent entry into it.
IAA Inspire AwardsChairman and IAA Australia President Heather Leembruggen said: “This year the IAA is proud to initiate the IAA Inspire Awards to salute the leadership and vision of our members and their achievements on the world stage. Our global footprint in over 40 countries worldwide gives IAA members the scope and scale to make a significant contribution towards stimulating, enhancing and building the marketing communications industry worldwide.
“As Chairman of the IAA Inspire Awards Judging Councils I am happy to pay tribute to the inaugural group of 20 honourees, at senior executive and young professional levels who have been selected to receive the ‘Champion’ and ‘Young Leaders’ awards.”
IAA Chairman and World President Faris Abouhamad said: “Our IAA Champion Inspire Awards recognise those with longer, distinguished service to the association and the industry as demonstrated by those receiving the awards. We are also delighted to honour Young Leaders – these young stars have demonstrated leadership and commitment – not just in their day jobs but in their capacity to volunteer to grow and develop the IAA around the world. The IAA has a very clear focus on talent – whether inside the classroom or in the office! So we look forward to the continued growth of our IAA Young Professional community.”
The awards were announced at a gala dinner in London this week, at the conclusion of the IAA Leadership Forum.
