IAA Kuwait Chapter elects new board members

The Kuwait chapter of the IAA announced its new Board members, after an election, which was held at the Banquet Hall of JW Marriott Kuwait on Wednesday, 31st October, 2018. Walid Kanafani, the President of IAA - Kuwait chapter welcomed the members who attended the election. Kanafani reviewed the works of the past two years, its various activities and important achievements. He emphasized that all work done, was the efforts of the entire team and he was very proud to say, that the Kuwait chapter has a very good position among the other chapters in the world.

During the past 2 years, Kuwait chapter managed to participate in many workshops, informative seminars on leadership and grooming professionals, and was actively involved in attending the International Congress meetings and promoted Kuwait by sending representative from Kuwait to be a part of the conference and share in its various activities. The names of the IAA Kuwait Chapter Board Members for the working tenure from 2018 to 2020 are as:

• Walid Kanafani - President

• Iqbal Al Haddad - Vice President

• Adnan Saad - Treasurer

• Bassam Ghorayeb - General Secretary

• Marwan Farah - Board Member

• Sami Hanna - Board Member

• Elie Farah - Board Member

Walid Kanafani has been appointed by the IAA Global as:

• IAA Vice President MEA for Education from 2018 to 2020

• Member of the Elections Committee Representative for MEA & Africa 2018

• IAA Inspire Awards Judging Council Representative for MEA & Africa 2018

In his address to the media, after the elections, the President Elect, Walid Kanafani, reiterated, that as President of the IAA Kuwait Chapter, he is aware that this is not just a title, but comes with a huge responsibility which in turn demands total dedication of his time to serve the association to the best of his ability for the next two years. He added that he was honored and elated to be entrusted with this responsibility.

He noted, that the results of the elections have shown that, there is a big irony among the membership, pointing out that the seven board members elected, are exactly the same as the previous term, ‘so with that equation, it is easy to interact and find solution, as there is good coordination and mutual understanding among the board and this assisted in smoothly completing the works undertaken in the previous years and also plan a lot of more interesting and fruitful assignment for the coming years, which will uplift the superiority and professionalism of this industry.’

Walid Kanafani the IAA President of Kuwait Chapter detailed in a full presentation the major IAA achievements and activities during last two years. Kanafani mentioned that 2018 is a very special year for the IAA, we are celebrating our 80th Anniversary worldwide and 20th Anniversary in Kuwait. On this occasion a new Logo, Identity and updated objectives and strategies have been released.

As a major achievement Kanafani highlighted the participation of IAA Kuwait Chapter in the IAA Global Marketing Summit in New York April 2018 as well as the participation in IAA Board meeting and IAA 80TH Anniversary Celebration in New York April 2018, Dubai Lynx held in March 18, Cannes Lions in June 2018 & The IAA Global Conference in Bucharest October 2018. He announced the future participation of the chapter in the World Congress in India February 2019.

2nd Apprentice conference

Kanafani discussed the success of the 2nd Apprentice conference that IAA Kuwait held in April 2018. The IAA Apprentice Conference was conceived to contribute to the much talked about challenges for the marketing and communications industry in attracting the best and brightest young men and women. The inaugural event brought together junior and senior undergraduate students as well as young industry professional delegates. The program includes presentations, discussions and workshops with regional and international industry professionals, recruiters and clients where students had the chance to listen, practice, network and impress! The central idea is to enhance and empower graduating students with first-hand knowledge of real world industry practice and opportunities in the new communications landscape and to help them get hired. The event witnessed 12 professional speakers with the participation of 120 Students from different local and private specialized universities.

Kanafani shared with the audience that the IAA created a campaign to promote advertising. The new IAA ‘Case for Advertising’ campaign focuses on many of the core benefits that are deeply rooted in marketing communications - that advertising promotes choice; educates; informs; encourages innovation; creates jobs; supports the arts, entertainment and sports; and contributes to the costs of providing news and information. The campaign focus is for consumers and governments to understand the value of advertising in its many forms, including sponsored content. Advertising - your right to choose this campaign released in March 2018.

Walid Kanafani, shared the success of the Arab Net Conference Kuwait 3rd Edition which was held in October 2018. The conference highlights the state of digital economy and business in Kuwait, as well as explore into the latest trend in digital media and marketing. The 2017 conference in Kuwait drew in 80+ speakers and over 800+ exclusive attendees, eager to network and discuss the latest trends on mobile and web. The IAA Kuwait Chapter was considered as a strategic partner for the conference. As known, that the role of the IAA is to monitor and assist the Advertising industry to ensure that there is harmony and coordination between the media and other economic sectors. We have a lot of new projects, which will be very soon activated on the appointment of the new team.

The President-elect, noted that IAA Kuwait Chapter is well representing some successful entities such as Dubai Lynx and Cannes Lions. Kuwait team will be working in close coordination with these entities for the benefit of the industry, adding that cooperation will enhance professionalism of practitioners through regular visits by speakers and orators with the industry. Besides, there are plans for many conferences and educational programs, to ensure that every single member of the IAA is benefitted.

He emphasized that, the main objective of the association is to increase the membership in the chapter, through visits to all agencies and clients, as well as media houses to inform them more about the association, its role in the industry and invite them to be a part of this association. Media practitioners will also be kept updated on all activities and future plans within the organization.

Stressing on the open-door policy of the new board, Kanafani disclosed, that the membership hopes to fully support every member, and at the same time, assure all members that they are always available, for any information or queries, needed from and about the association. Suggestions, are also welcomed. We are always ready to listen and work hard to make everything more professionally right within the advertising industry.

Referring to the priority projects on the agenda of the new board within the two-year period, Kanafani, stated, that on the top of the board list, is to get in touch with the most important sectors, writers, readers and others members of the media fraternity who have accomplished themselves in the media arena, to get them to visit Kuwait and share their experiences. This can only happen, with the support and coordination with the other Middle East and GCC chapters of the association, who will be more than cooperative to share their experiences for the benefit of the Kuwait chapter.

With regards, to the importance of the IAA, in the field of advertising and media relations, the Kuwait Chapter President-elect, stated, that though the association is worldwide, one available in every country, each one is unique and differs from the other, due to its socioeconomic and geo-political circumstances prevailing in every country. While, some chapters may have all the essential tools to function with the right parameters to achieve their objectives, others fall short of tools to function and meet their set objectives.