The new Board of Directors of the Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA) for the 2019/2020 fiscal were elected at the 72 nd Annual General Meeting held on Thursday 25 th July at the AAA School of Advertising campus in Johannesburg – they are:

At the meeting, outgoing Chair of the ACA Board, James Barty reported on the ACA’s activities during the preceding fiscal.

Barty kicked off his Chairmans’s Report noting ‘that the winds of change in the industry continue to blow at gale force.’ Adding that the at both a global and South Africa specific level, the rate of change was ensuring that the industry has found itself in a constant level of flux.

Apart from industry specific reasons, Barty added that this has been exacerbated by a reduction in business confidence brought about by socio-political instability over the past year.

Before discussing key ACA activity over the year, Barty commended Mathe Okaba – appointed CEO during the period – for the manner in which she has settled into the role and for embracing the structures and practices of the association, thus ensuring a smooth and effective transition of this critical industry leading position.

During the period under review, the ACA initiated a new relationship with the AAA School of Advertising, and the MOU put in place following the sale of ACA’s previously prized asset. Barty reconfirmed the ACA’s commitment to assisting the AAA to deliver courses and content that meet the high professional quality standards expected by the industry. In terms of the relationship, Barty singled out Sarah Dexter and the Education Portfolio team which she leads for retaining a good working relationship with the school and for continuing to hold high one of the industry’s primary roles – that of driving education and skills development.

Barty then went on to review further changes that have and will impact the industry. He thanked Odette van der Haar and Gareth Leck for their commitment to building one of the jewels in the ACA’s crown – the APEX Awards - as the programme transitions to the Effie brand.

Change was also seen within the self-regulation framework, with the transition of the ASA into the new ARB. Here Mike Gendel was singled out for his enormous contribution in representing the best interests of the profession in the establishment of the new body, and for the commitment he continues to demonstrate in the pivotal area of industry self-regulation.

In terms of transformation, Barty noted that the topic remains a key area for the ACA, both within the organisation, and externally.

“Transformation remains at the forefront of the ACA’s activities, and it is pleasing that we are making continued headway in this area. I am very pleased that today the profession’s employee base stands at 60% female, and 54% ‘of colour’. There are challenges that we still need to overcome, however I encourage the next generation of industry leaders to become active within its structures and help drive not only transformation forward, but all the objectives of the association.”

Barty thanked the secretariat for their ongoing professionalism and dedication, Prof Piet Delport for his ongoing guidance and counsel throughout the year, and bid a sad farewell to ACA CFO Russell Cory, who after 27 years of dedicated and irreplaceable service to the industry would be retiring to enjoy a well-earned rest with his family.

In closing, Barty thanked the Exco and the Board at large and wished the new incoming Board well, noting that they would be inheriting an association that was robust, hard-working and held in high esteem within the communities it serves.