AFAA

A Message from Chairman

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As we embark on this new chapter together, I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust you have placed in me. Being re-elected as the Chairman of the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA) for the term of January 2026 to December 2029 is a privilege I do not take lightly.

Our journey over the past few years has been one of resilience and transformation. As we look toward the next four years, our focus remains steadfast: to champion the Asian marcom industry, foster regional collaboration, and ensure our profession continues to be a force for good.

Reflecting on Our Milestones (2024–2025) The last two years have been a testament to the vibrancy of our community:

AdAsia is the continent's largest advertising congress, held biennially in a major Asian city. It features world-class speakvers, thought leadership sessions, and offers unporalleled networking opportunities.

AFAA Brilliance Awards 2025: We celebrated "Real Advertising for Real Brands. " This second edition recognized campaigns that delivered tangible market results, proving that creative excellence and business effectiveness go hand-in-hand.

New Age Leadership Programme (NALP) 2025: In June 2025, we successfully concluded the 3rd edition of this immersive program. By nurturing 24 young leaders under the age of 35, we are actively investing in a future-ready, socially responsible leadership pipeline for Asia.

AdAsia 2025 (Beijing): Our flagship congress in Beijing was a spectacular success. With the theme "AI²: Advertising Innovation and Artificial Intelligence," we brought together over 1,200 delegates to chart the course for a new era of communication.

Celebrating the "Changemakers for Good" 25 A highlight of the Beijing congress was the presentation of the Changemakers for Good Awards, which honor those who use communication as a powerful force for societal change. I am proud to share the Pan-Asian winners who stood out for their exceptional contributions:

Industry Leader: Mr. Ramesh Narayan (India) – Recognized for his lifelong commitment to social causes, from sustainability through the Olive Crown Awards to student enrichment and elder care.

Advertising: dentsu Taiwan – For their moving and impactful campaign, "Unfreeze My Rights."

Government: Leo Taiwan – For the insightful and creative "Paper Organs Case Film."

Innovation: Rhinoshield Taiwan – For their pioneering work on "Rhinoshield Circular Blue."

The Road Ahead: 2026 and Beyond As we move into 2026, the pace of change in our industry shows no signs of slowing. Our agenda for the coming term is ambitious:

DigiAsia 2026: We return to Taipei this year for another edition of Asia’s premier digital congress. Expect a deep dive into the evolving humanizing intelligence and the ethical integration of AI in our daily workflows.

AdAsia 2027: Your Executive Committee has authorized Advertising Council of India (ACI) to host the next AdAsia in India. This will be the fifth time that India will be hosting this prestigious Congress. Many members fondly recollect their wonderful experience in 2003 in Jaipur and 2011 in New Delhi and the expectation is high for the 2027 edition.

Industry Advocacy: AFAA will continue to lead the conversation on Gender Sensitization and Sustainability. Our partnership in the Olive Crown Awards remains a cornerstone of our commitment to "Brand Earth."

Expanding the Footprint: We have expanded the AFAA constitution to allow for broader participation, ensuring that more associations and corporate members can take on leadership roles and contribute to our collective growth.

Our industry is no longer just about selling products; it is about building trust, shaping culture, and solving societal challenges. From the Changemakers for Good awards to our regional educational initiatives, AFAA is dedicated to highlighting the positive impact of communication

I look forward to working with all our member nations and corporate members to make the next few years a goldetn era for Asian advertising.

Srinivasan K Swamy

Chairman

January 2026