What does it take to be a leader?

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International Advertising Association (IAA) Leadership Awards recognize best in the domain

At the first edition of the International Advertising Association (IAA) Leadership Awards held recently in Mumbai, media, marketing and advertising professionals came together under one roof to felicitate the best of the best in the domain. The awards highlighted how the three disciplines work together to contribute to the success of a brand and awarded leaders who showed exceptional leadership skills and qualities in the domain across 19 categories. Commenting on the awards, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Manish Tiwari said, “These unique awards recognize the efficiency, creativity, talent and hard work from the media and entertainment industry. I hope it inspires others to create more such platforms.”

What is it that makes great leaders? IMPACT posed this question to industry leaders and this is what they had to say:

Sam Balsara, Chairman and Managing Director, Madison World who won the award for Media Agency Head of the Year said, “You don’t consciously become a leader. There are certain actions of yours which makes others recognize you as a leader. Leadership cannot be given out like a title; it can only be earned. That’s how I would define leadership.” He also advised the younger generation to earn the mantle rather than hanker after a leadership role.

Pradeep Guha, Managing Director of 9XMedia, who was inducted into the IAA Hall of Fame, said, “Anybody who can inspire others to do his job is a leader. There is a huge surfeit of great leaders in our industry today.”

Gayatri Yadav, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Communications at Star India who bagged the award for the Marketer of the Year, Media & Entertainment said, “From a marketing viewpoint, a leader should stay focused, follow the fundamentals and find a job that becomes a passion because excellence follows passion.”

Chandramouli Venkatesan, Cadbury India, who won the Marketer of the Year: FMCG – Food & Beverages said, “The leadership mantra I would give is that there is no mantra. It is really work hard, enjoy life and you have to have a great team. It’s a combination of many things.”

Marketer of the Year: Auto Passenger Vehicles, Mayank Pareek, Chief Operating Officer (M&S) Maruti Suzuki, observed, “Marketing is a tough job but if you dig deep, you will always find a way. My mantra is, keep focus on customers, know your customer.”

Marketer of the Year: Auto Two- Wheeler was bagged by Anil Dua, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Hero Motocorp. He said, “Everyone is in a unique situation and you should stay true to your situation and stay focused on what is relevant for your category and brand and that will always work.”

Tarun Katial, Chief Executive Officer, RBNL summed it up by saying, “Everyone is a leader in their own right, it’s just how well you exercise it on a daily basis and how well you feel about it. We have a good young crop of leaders and they are in the cusp of taking this industry into the next leap.”

‘A TRUE LEADER HAS THE CONFIDENCE TO STAND ALONE’

Speaking at the IAA Leadership awards, Raj Nayak, CEO, Colors, stated, “A wise man once said, ‘A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.’ That really sums up what this evening is all about.” He said leadership is an attribute everyone at Colors resonates with, and that is why the theme of the awards appealed to Colors. “I have had the privilege to lead the IAA in India, and felt that this partnership between the IAA and Colors would have rich synergy. We are committed to being a responsible and pro-active member of this fraternity,” he added. “Each leader is unique, like a distinctive colour. Together, they form something as rich, diverse and beautiful as a rainbow. Tonight, let us revel in the colours of leadership,” he affirmed.

Winners of IAA Leadership Awards

Media Agency Head of the Year: Sam Balsara, Madison World

Creative Agency Head of the Year: Piyush Pandey for Ogilvy & Mather India

Marketer of the Year: M&E: Gayatri Yadav, Star India

Marketer of the Year: Banking: Sujit Ganguli, ICICI Bank

Marketer of the Year: Insurance: Rita Bhattacharya, LIC

Marketer of the Year:Auto Passenger Vehicles: Mayank Pareek, Maruti Suzuki

Marketer of the Year: Auto Commercial vehicles: UT Ramprasad , Tata Motors

Marketer of the Year : Auto Two Wheeler: Anil Dua, Hero Motocorp

Marketer of the Year: Household Products: Amit Syngle, Asian Paints

Marketer of the Year: FMCG – Food & Beverages: Chandramouli Venkatesan,

Cadbury Kraft India Marketer of the Year: FMCG - Personal Care: Arun Srinivas, HUL