Olav takes over from John Bowles, who served as acting president and president of the ABF for over nine years. The fund aims to offer short-term assistance to members of the advertising and media industry who have fallen on hard times.
While the fund is based in Johannesburg, regional branches administer local aspects of the ABF’s work in Durban. The organisation is in the process of re-establishing a presence in Cape Town.
"We are currently recruiting fresh talent onto the exco and are reviving several fundraising and networking opportunities that will take place throughout the year," says Westphal.
"The first event, a lawn bowls based fundraiser, has already taken place, and we’re looking forward to hosting media agencies, creative agencies and marketers at future events," adds Westphal.
Westphal concludes, "We encourage media and creative agencies to get involved and support an organisation that looks after our own community. It could be any one of us in need one day."
For more information, visit www.abfsa.org.za. You can also follow the ABF on Facebook or on Twitter.