The UAE Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) held elections for a new board of directors at their premises in Dubai Media City on 15th November 2016. The biennial elections saw members of the industry exercise their right to vote. The newly elected board of directors will steer the UAE chapter of the International Advertising Association for the 2016-18 term.

The IAA UAE Chapter Board is made up of 15 members with four officer positions:  president: Hani Ghorayeb, chief operating officer, AMS – Choueiri Group; vice president and treasurer: Douglas Palau, CEO, BKP Media Group; and general secretary: Sasan Saeidi, managing director group, FP7/UAE.

The new board is a well-balanced mix of newly elected and returning board members.  Asad ur Rehman, director media, MENA; Unilever, Chadi Farhat, group head of investments, OmnicomMediaGroup MENA; Dina Faour, program coordinator and associate professor of advertising, AUD (American University in Dubai); Elda Choucair, CEO, PHD MENA; Marwan Kai, CEO, Media International Services Gulf (MIS Gulf); Michel Malkoun, chief operating officer, DMS – Choueiri Group, Mohan Nambiar, CEO, MEC, Mounir Harfouche, chief executive officer, MullenLowe Mena, Nabil Moutran, regional director, OgilvyOne MENA, Rajeev Khanna, commercial director, Gulf News, Talal Sheikh Elard, managing director, Impact BBDO Dubai, Yousef Tuqan Tuqan, vice president, brand marketing and loyalty, Jumeirah Group.

Hani Ghorayeb, chief operating officer at AMS – Choueiri Group, and re-elected president of the IAA UAE Chapter says in a press statement, “I am very pleased with the outcome of the recent board elections and honored to be a part of this distinguished team. The 2016-2018 IAA UAE Board will continue to focus on inspiring and empowering the talented young professionals within our industry and building stronger collaboration between clients, media, MBUs and agencies, with the aim of advancing standards and growth prospects for the entire industry”.

The new board’s mission is to support the case for communication and advertising in the region, helping to expand best practice and in turn effect a positive impact on the UAE economy.