AAAI honours Anil Kapoor with 'Lifetime Achievement Award'

Last week, at a full turnout, graced by advertising, marketing and media personalities, the Advertising Agencies Association of India bestowed on Anil Kapoor, Chairman Emeritus, Draftfcb+Ulka Group, the AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award 2013. The award was conferred on Anil Kapoor, an industry veteran for his contribution to the advertising industry.

Instituted way back in 1998, the AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honour bestowed to an individual in India for his outstanding contribution to the industry. Over the years the chosen winners have been leading industry lights who have built great institutions, pioneered new trends and contributed immensely to industry’s growth.

With over 25 years of advertising experience Anil Kapoor is a highly regarded and respected figure in advertising and marketing circles. As one who is known to make things happen, his role expanded naturally into industry bodies. He is a Past President of AAAI, Chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulation of 2007-08 and was also on the Management Board of the National Readership Survey and the Television Audience Measurement Research. Kapoor was also on the Editorial Advisory Board of the Economic Times. In May 2002, he was also inducted into the Foote, Cone & Belding’s Worldwide Board.

Kapoor’s love for challenges saw him taking charge of an ailing Ulka Advertising which he turned it into the fastest growing agency in India thereby claiming its rightful place as one of the ‘Big Five’. With the formation of Draftfcb in 2006, Kapoor was appointed as Draftfcb President with responsibility for Asia-Pacific region and Africa.

Prior to joining Draftfcb+Ulka, Kapoor was Marketing Director, Boots Company, for 14 years. He was instrumental in launching many brands, all of which went on to 

become No. 1 in their markets. Before that, he was with the legendary agency, MCM. Kapoor grew up in Delhi and graduated with a BA in English Literature from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi and then did his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

Speaking about Kapoor, K.V. Sridhar, Chief Creative Officer, India Sub-continent, Leo Burnett said, “Though I haven’t worked with him directly we have worked together in the same industry. Looking at his work what can I say about him, I mean after Bal he has lead the 

agency with full passion and his works are quite visible and honored by everyone in the marketing and advertising industry. He totally deserves the facilitation today.”

Says Sam Balsara, Chairman and Managing Director, Madison World, “I always think of Anil as a very strong personality, his strong views and his pushing for those views. Fighting against wrongs has led him to be one of the stalwarts in our industry. He clearly knows what is right and what is wrong and I think irrespective of the consequences he will always push for what is right and will patiently wait for the outcome.”

Recalling a personal anecdote and professional view, Arvind Sharma, Chairman & CEO India Subcontinent at Leo Burnett says, “Anil was my first client when I started this business and he had been demanding and amazing client. I am glad that have followed his progress for all these 30 years and standing with him making a strong agency. All the strengths visible then helped him to succeed forward. Strong leaders are always behind strong agencies and even he was one. He has been a source of start for many young industry leaders and we are very proud that today we are honoring him.”

Said Shashi Sinha, CEO, Lodestar Universal India, “He has been a very strong leader and he always builds the game. Though we are from separate companies, but  in a manner of speaking we all believe that he has build the team for separate empires. The strength has been that he has held people together and it's great feeling and honor to respecting him in this way.”

Ashish Bhasin, Chairman India& CEO South East Asia at Aegis Group, said, “He has been one of the stalwarts of the industry and he has been one of those forces who have clearly held 

ahead the ethics and principles of this industry and have made it reach the kind of position it is in today. We all honor and salute the work if this great man. Not going towards the kind of campaigns he did, which are obviously remarkable, but looking at the way he has made and led the organization, Ulka which is now Draftfcb+Ulka clearly indicate his great work in the industry.”

M G Parameswaran, Executive Director and CEO, DRAFTFCB-Ulka, said, “Well, though I have had the privilege of working with him for more than two decades now, he is truly a giant in 

our industry and it is very difficult to find anybody better than him in terms of having keen perception of creative. I do not think that one can find anyone who is more passionate about business than him. His commitments to his clients, business and to the entire advertising industry have been remarkable and will be.”

Says Punit Goenka, MD and CEO of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, “The reason that I am in the industry today is just because of him. He was the one who convinced my father that somebody who can take things ahead is your son. I owe all my success to him and am 

grateful to him. I wish him all the success and excited as he is getting affiliated.”

Ram Kapoor, a well-known actor and his son said, “It's a very proud moment, I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'll tell you that I was in London for my film; I have flown back to Mumbai because I didn't want to miss this moment. My father gave me the option of not attending but wherever I was I came back just because it's proud moment for him and for us as a family."