At the AGM, the 2013 Board of Directors was elected, they are:

Mike Abel - M&C Saatchi Abel;
James Barty - King James Cape Town;
Gail Curtis - Saatchi & Saatchi (vice chairperson);
Alison Deeb - MetropolitanRepublic;
Karabo Denelane - McCann Worldgroup;
Sarah Dexter - Lowe & Partners South Africa;
John Dixon - Draftfcb;
Mike Gendel - Gendel Advertising & Marketing (vice chairperson);
Gareth Leck - Joe Public;
Modise Makhene - JWT;
Ayanda Mbanga - Saatchi & Saatchi;
Paul Middleton - Ebony & Ivory;
Ivan Moroke - TBWA;
Nina Morris - morrisjones&co (chairperson);
Kagiso Musi - The Jupiter Drawing Room;
Sue Napier - Ireland-Davenport;
Nkwenkwe Nkomo - Draftfcb;
Emmet O'Hanlon - DDB;
Boniswa Pezisa - Net#work BBDO (vice chairperson);
Chris Primos - Blast Brand Catalysts;
Julian Ribeiro - Ogilvy Johannesburg;
Khotso Tilo - The Agency;
Dale Tomlinson - The Hardy Boys; and
Nicole Wills - Stick Communications.

In her report detailing the ACA’s activities during 2012, interim chairperson, Nina Morris noted that she was elected as chairperson of the Board of Directors during August this year following the resignation of Wayne Naidoo.

She adds that 2012 was undoubtedly a year of challenges and that 2013 is poised to be as tough for the advertising sector. However, she assured the audience that the ACA is confident that it will continue to aid agencies in these challenges, with the support and dedication of its team at the Secretariat, and under the leadership of the new Board.

In terms of transformation, Morris reported that the ACA is pleased with progress on the MAC Charter which is firmly on track to be written into law. According to Morris, the targets stipulated in the Charter are more stringent than Government’s generic scorecard leaving no surprise that the sector reports on transformation presented to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications during 2012 were well-received.

Morris further reported that 2012 saw new members M&C Saatchi Abel, Mohlaleng Media, Flash Marketing, Nyalu Communications, 8 Brand, Trinergy Brand Connectors, The Launch Factory and O’mage Ltd, 360 Degrees Production House joined the ACA in 2012. Of particular importance was the move by experiential agencies, under the banner of EXASA – Experiential Agencies Association of South Africa, to merge with the ACA. The inclusion of experiential agencies as fully fledged members of the Association strengthens self-regulation of the advertising and communications sector of South Africa.

All ACA member agencies were presented with membership packs containing their membership certificates, policies, codes of conduct and guidelines, etc. – all in line with the corporate identity of the Association.

Morris thanked the 2012 Board of Directors and all the members of the various Operations Committees of the ACA for generously giving of their time, resource and intellect to assist the ACA in meeting its mandate. She ended her report saying “Whilst many milestones were achieved in 2012, the year ahead will bring with it a new set of challenges from a business perspective, given the economic climate, coupled with probable changes in legislation to govern advertising of alcohol products, fast foods and carbonated soft drinks. Before the end of year break, the weeks ahead will remain demanding with entry into 2013 APEX Awards officially open, the imminent judge’s selection and invitation as well as arranging workshops to assist entrants with their submissions.”

In closing, Morris adds, “The success of the ACA would not be possible without the continued support of the members, the broader industry and most importantly, the employees of the Secretariat.”

About the ACA

The ACA is the official, representative body for the Communications and Advertising profession in South Africa. Communications has evolved into an exciting hybrid of interactive, brand activation, new content and more, and the ACA represents companies in this profession to government, media and the public. It is a voluntary body formed both by, and for the industry, focused on and committed to self-regulation, and to defend the highest standards of ethical practice.