Singapore, June 1 2012 – At yesterday’s inaugural IAB Singapore Insights Session, the Interactive Advertising Bureau Southeast Asia, Singapore Chapter (IAB Singapore) announced the launch of three IAB Industry Committees to serve as pillars for the organization’s key initiatives and programs for 2012/2013. Focusing on the areas of Research & Insights, Education & Training, and Creative, these Committees turn the spotlight on three areas that are critical in understanding, appreciating, and advancing Digital Advertising within the marketplace.
“There was a common consensus across the industry that these three areas needed addressing,” says Ranji David, Executive Director, IAB Singapore. “First, there was a dearth of data or ‘proof-points’ required to support digital decision making. Secondly, the lack of qualified, skilled digital talent presented a challenge to digital business eager to expand their teams. Last but not least, the creative piece was very rarely talked about, let alone celebrated or curated.”
To tackle this, the IAB has developed a ‘4-Point Plan’ to Educate, Enable, Inspire and Elevate the industry. “There is a complimentary, synergetic relationship across the three Committees and the role each one plays in uplifting the industry and the talent within,” offers Loren Shuster, Country Director, Singapore & Emerging Markets, Google, and Chairman, IAB Singapore.
“The aim is to provide talent with a solid education that builds specialist skills atop a foundation of digital fundamentals, enable data-informed decisions based on solid interactive insights, and inspire through a showcase of great creative ideas. We believe this will not only elevate the quality of Digital Advertising in the market, but also see an increased confidence in interactive communication that will ultimately lead to an increase in Online Advertising Spend.”
Each Committee is expected to champion industry initiatives across specific areas of interest, develop subject matter expertise within a defined scope, and drive thought leadership, as defined by the Individual Committee Head. “Once that person is appointed to the role by the IAB Singapore Leadership Council, it’s up to him or her to develop a charter that the entire committee can stand behind and support. It’s all about initiatives developed by the industry, for the industry,” says Ranji.
Committee Heads announced yesterday are:
· Head of Research & Insights : David Jeffs, Head of Insights, Yahoo! Southeast Asia & India and a seasoned Market Research professional with over 20 years’ experience on both the Agency and Publisher-side of the business.
· Head of Education & Training : Jason Kuperman, Vice-President, Omnicom Digital (APIMA)-Omnicom Group. Jason brings with him a raft of experience across the digital landscape and capability development in particular.
· Head of Creative : David Brown, Regional Digital Director-APAC, Iris Worldwide. David is a digital heavyweight with strategic, creative and technical savvy, bringing prior judging experience at the CCAs, AWWWARD, EPICAs, DMAs and Cannes to this role.
Says Loren, “The caliber of our Committee Heads is exceptional. David Brown, David Jeffs and Jason Kuperman are well-respected leaders who are highly regarded by their peers and we are delighted to have them on board. We are confident that each of them will build a strong Committee galvanized by his vision for the year, and that there will be more things to look forward to in the months to come.”
For more information on the IAB Singapore, membership details or how to participate in the IAB Singapore Industry Committees, please contact Ranji David : ranji@iab.sg .
###
IAB Contact:
IAB SE Asia, Singapore Chapter
Ranji David, Executive Director
Email: ranji@iab.sg
Press Contact:
Rice Communications for IAB
Donna Garcia, Account Director
Email:donna.garcia@ricecomms.com
About the IAB
The Interactive Advertising Bureau Southeast Asia; Singapore Chapter is established and supported by leading digital advertising companies operating in Singapore and Southeast Asia and acts to educate marketers, agencies, media companies and the wider business community about the value of interactive advertising, evaluate and recommend standards and practices, and develop and distribute research on interactive advertising. Visit www.iab.sg