IAA Malaysia announces leadership team for new term

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The International Advertising Association Malaysia (IAAM) has ushered in a new era of leadership with the appointment of its 2025/26 executive committee (exco), officially announced during its 32nd annual general meeting (AGM) held on 25 June 2025.

The AGM marks a significant moment for the association, following the global success of the 45th IAA World Congress 2024 hosted in Malaysia, a milestone that elevated IAAM’s international standing and influence in the marketing and advertising landscape. Riding on that momentum, the newly elected EXCO comprises a diverse mix of seasoned industry leaders, educators, and innovators, each bringing fresh energy and strategic direction to the organisation.

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The executive committee comprises John D. Chacko as president, Milan Agnihotri as vice president (head of strategy and growth, Dentsu Malaysia), Amy Chia as honorary secretary, Hamimda Agil as honorary treasurer (senior lecturer, UiTM), Timothy Chan as the exco of education (CEO, IACT College), Sailendra Kanagasundram as exco of events (founder, Visual Retale), Gary Tay exco of digital (director, YM Global Technologies), Yee Hui Tsin as exco of corporate relations and branding (CEO, TBWA\KL), and also Sandeep Joseph as the exco of awards (CEO, co-founder, Ampersand Advisory).

“To strengthen the association further, we’ve realigned our executive committee portfolios — introducing education, awards, and corporate relations & branding, alongside our existing focus on events and digital," Chacko told A+M. "We remain grounded in our core pillars: Internationality, collaboration, creativity, innovation, and inclusivity, all in service of people and business," he added.

He also said that looking ahead, IAA Malaysia will reignite its purpose with timely workshops and events that address a fast-changing landscape shaped by consolidation, rapid technological progress, especially AI, and a growing demand for personalised, data-driven, and immersive experiences. Chacko is also the global vice president for the IAA.

The committee also welcomed Omar Shaari, immediate past vice president, into his new advisory role as senior advisor, in recognition of his ongoing contributions and leadership. The AGM was also a moment of appreciation, with members, partners, and corporate guests gathering to reflect on a year of achievements. Dentsu Malaysia hosted the event, reinforcing the collaborative spirit between IAAM and the industry it represents.

With the new committee already rolling up its sleeves, IAAM is set to deepen engagement with members and roll out meaningful initiatives focused on innovation, talent development, and global competitiveness. The association remains aligned with IAA’s global mission, to be the "Global compass for marketing communications", while tailoring its local mission to help Malaysian professionals access international expertise and grow their creative and business capabilities.

One of the first initiatives under the new leadership is the upcoming workshop “Creative intelligence – learning from Cannes Lions 2025,” scheduled for Tuesday, 5 August. The session will bring exclusive insights from speakers and jury members, designed to inspire and educate local marketers and creatives through a global lens.

IAAM’s newly minted leadership marks not just a change in guard, but a bold step forward in nurturing Malaysia’s marketing communications industry with renewed energy, sharper focus, and a strong international outlook.

The International Advertising Association (IAA) is a global network representing professionals across marketing, advertising, media, and communications in over 56 countries. Since 1938, it has championed industry standards, responsible advertising, and professional development across all sectors of marketing communications.

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