The UAE Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) held elections for a new Board of Directors in Dubai. 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 IAA for the 2016-18 term. The IAA UAE Chapter Board is made up of 15 members with four officer positions which includes President: Hani Ghorayeb, COO, AMS – Choueiri Group; Vice President and Treasurer: Douglas Palau, CEO, BKP Media Group; and General Secretary: Sasan Saeidi, Managing Director Group UAE, FP7/UAE.

The newly elected board has a well balanced mix of newly elected and returning board members. Asad ur Rehman, Director Media, North Africa & Middle East, Unilever; Chadi Farhat, Group Head of Investments, Omnicom Media Group 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 and Yousef Tuqan Tuqan, Vice President, Brand Marketing & Loyalty, Jumeirah Group.

“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,” said Mr Ghorayeb who has been re-elected as President.

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’.