IAA UAE Chapter to stage progressive forum on the future of the marketing communications industry in the region

The inimitable gathering of the region's leading agency CEOS, is set to tackle head on the very issues - both perennial and those specific to the on-going economic downturn - that are fundamental to the future development of the industry.

According to Nassib Boueri, Vice President of the IAA UAE Chapter, it is appropriate that as the ultimate industry advocate, the IAA has succeeded in bringing together this calibre of industry leaders.

"To say that this meeting of minds will be pivotal is not an over exaggeration. The industry has experienced substantial change over the last 18 months and it is time to objectively assess the fall out and look for some insightful and constructive solutions that will help the industry to recover its footing and hopefully, to realign itself for future growth," said Boueri.

The IAA UAE Chapter considers an essential component of this growth to be the engagement and development of young talent within the industry, and according to Boueri, "This open forum will offer the opportunity to gauge opinions from a cross section of the industry and hear what our future young professionals have to say."

Commenting on the partnership, Ms. Maysoun Abu Lhoul Managing Director of MMS 2009, said:

"MMS has always been positioned as the industry's only specialized event. This year we partnered with the chief players in the advertising and media business as part of our commitment to always be at the forefront of the industry's growth and development. MMS is a key platform for communications professionals to meet, network, discuss and analyze the state of the industry and its advancements as well as its setbacks. The channels that run throughout the communications industry significantly impact other fields of business as the reliance on media and marketing continues to increase steadily."

Not since the beginning of the economic downturn have such influential, industry opinion leaders come together for a frank debate that is certain to offer an insightful evaluation of where the industry stands and to consider in some detail where it is headed; according to the minds of the very people that will take it there. Those individuals are: Raja Fares Trad, CEO Leo Burnett Group MENA, Joseph Ghossoub, Chairman & CEO MENACOM Group, Ramzi Raad, CEO TBWA RAAD, Alain Khouri, Chairman & CEO Impact/BBDO, Edmond Moutran, Chairman & CEO Memac Ogilvy and Roy Haddad, Chairman & CEO JWT.

The panel session, entitled 'Issues in a Recessionary Environment', is to be moderated by Dr. Lance de Masi, President of The American University in Dubai and IAA UAE Chapter President. And with Dr. de Masi posing the questions, the panellists and audience will be sure to enjoy some illuminating debate.

Board Executive of the IAA UAE Chapter Events Committee, Marwan Kai, explained that providing a platform for thought leadership engagement, as in this event, is one of the key pillars of the IAA's agenda of work for the next twelve months.

"The IAA UAE Chapter is seeking to engage with the industry and the broader business community in various forums: from talent development through our educational series; at our regular networking events; through high profile speaker luncheons; and in ongoing issue, specific discussions with key industry partners," said Kai.

The IAA UAE Chapter panel session 'Issues in a Recessionary Environment', takes pace from 11am-12.30pm Thursday, November 5 , 2009, at the MMS.

The IAA UAE Chapter is a strategic partner of MMS 2009, which will be held from November 3-5, in Zabeel Hall, Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.