The 2015/16 Board of Directors are:

  • Adeshia Singh, managing director of Singh & Sons;
  • Alistair Mokoena, managing director of Ogilvy Johannesburg;
  • Ayanda Mbanga, Deputy Group CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi; 
  • Boniswa Pezisa, managing director of Net#work BBDO; 
  • Carolyn White, managing director of Labstore SA and Africa (Y&R);  
  • Chris Primos, Business Director at Blast Brand Catalysts; 
  • Dale Tomlinson,  CEO The Hardy Boys (Regional Nominee Durban); 
  • Danielle Sneiders Managing Partner The Jupiter Drawing Room, Johannesburg;
  • Danni Dixon Managing Director Hunt Lascaris Johannesburg (TBWA); 
  • Emmet O’Hanlon, managing director of DDB South Africa; 
  • Gareth Leck,  CEO of Joe Public; 
  • James Barty,  Group managing director of King James (Regional Nominee Cape Town); 
  • Jerry Mpufane,  Group managing director of M&C Saatchi Abel; 
  • Jim Faulds, chief operating officer of J Walter Thompson; 
  • Karabo Denalane, managing director of McCann Worldgroup; 
  • Karabo Songo, founder/Group CEO of Olive Communications; 
  • Kershnee Pillay, managing partner of J Walter Thompson; 
  • Kevan Aspoas,  CEO of The Jupiter Drawing Room, Cape Town; 
  • Michael Gendel, managing director of Gendel Strategic Marketing Group (chairperson); 
  • Nicole Wills, managing director of Stick Communications; 
  • Odette van der Haar, CEO of ACA;
  • Paul Middleton, managing director of Ebony & Ivory; 
  • Sarah Dexter, managing director at OIL @ Lowe + Partners SA; 
  • Susan Napier, managing director of Ireland Davenport; 
  • Thabang Skwambane, managing director of FCB Johannesburg; and 
  • Wimpie le Roux, managing director of Publicis Machine. 

At the meeting, chair of the ACA, Mike Gendel reported on the ACA’s activities during the past fiscal and stated that he was encouraged by significant progress made by the ACA in a number of areas. In contrast to this, he noted that the profession continued to face significant challenges in important areas however despite the challenges, the ACA remained committed to supporting its members and tackling the numerous issues in a positive and meaningful way.

He further reported that in terms of transformation, the MAC Charter had reached the Minister of Trade and Industry and the ACA now awaits sectoral implementation. He noted that the reputation and stature of the ACA had been enhanced across various stakeholders, including government, allied associations, marketers, procurement managers, the media and the ACA membership base. He went on to say that the Secretariat had implemented prudent financial management in the period under review.

Gendel added that the ACA and the profession face significant challenges, particularly with regards to agency viability. This is evidenced by continued downward pressure on income margins coupled to extended credit terms imposed by multinational advertisers. This was complicated by clients up-skilling their own personnel in certain creative and digital services. He implored members to invest in skills development and to use the official trade school of the profession – the AAA School of Advertising when investing in training and development.

Looking ahead, he stated the following matters will be included in the strategic objectives for the 2015/2016 fiscal:

  • Sustainability and operational stability of the Advertising Standards Authority;
  • Retention of entrepreneurial agencies in the sector;
  • Skills development through the AAA School of Advertising;
  • Maintaining agency leadership;
  • Reputational management;
  • Government relations;
  • Inter-industry interaction;
  • Future proofing the ACA and the profession;
  • Addressing unreasonable payment terms; and
  • Implementation of the MAC Charter and the Charter Council.

The Independent Advertising Agency Special Interest Group (IAA SIG) set up earlier during 2015 that represents the economic interests of the ACA members that are 100% South African owned and who do not benefit from global structures. The group will provide non-competitive interaction and sharing of experience and advice.

In his report, Gendel thanked the outgoing Board of Directors and other agency personnel who served on the various operations committees of the ACA and noted that the ACA CEO, Odette van der Haar continues to set the benchmark for passion and commitment to the Association.

For more information on the Association of Communication and Advertising, visit www.acasa.co.za.