IAA's One-on-One over Tea with Sam Balsara in Delhi, a huge success

Company Brief

New Delhi, March 02, 2010

On an afternoon when most youngsters would have been glued to their TV screens while India's favourite hero and ace batman, Sachin Tendulkar, created cricketing history -- breaking another world record -- there were over 45 Young Professionals of IAA's India Chapter and their guests -- all from the field of advertising, brand management, marketing, mass communication and media - gathered at the NDTV Media Training Centre in Gurgaon to keep their appointment with Sam Balsara. They also had an opportunity to meet and interact with Sam's young professional daughter Ms Lara Balsara, Business Development & Diversification Manager - Madison India.

Avinash Pandey, Vice President and Head of Revenue - STAR News & Convener of IAA Young Professionals Chapter, introduced Sam Balsara & Lara Balsara and thanked them for flying in from Bombay to spend time with the IAA YP members.

The audience listened with rapt attention while Sam Balsara and Lara Balsara addressed them in a freewheeling chat of over 90 minutes.

Sam shared anecdotes on his journey till date, right from his childhood days in Bangalore, to getting rejected by IIMs and how he survived the shock of losing 70% of his business overnight. Recalling his experiences with clients, models, actors, producers, he regaled the audience about a time and life that most of the audience found difficultly in believing that, it existed.

Lara, having studied Madison's actions over the years and having seen what has succeeded, and drawing inspiration from Al Ries, succinctly drew up the 10 Immutable Laws of Madison. The laws ranged from focus, to diversification to the power of PR, to disadvantages - all of which have played a role in the survival and growth of Madison.

The session ended with a Q&A round where the Young Professionals seized the opportunity to ask Sam lots of questions.

Speaking on the occasion Raj Nayak, President IAA India Chapter said that this was the first such interactive session organised for the Young Professionals. He promised to hold similar events at least once a month across the country to rope in more & more young professionals to the IAA YP Chapter and also to give them an opportunity to relate one to one with more such Industry Leaders.

For further information, please contact:

Dara Acidwalla

Secretary General, India Chapter of IAA.

Tel: +91 22 66665085.

Email: iaaindiachapter@gmail.com