'I have not stepped down," Colvyn Harris, AAAI president

Wanting to devote more time to JWT India, Harris has chosen to not remain the president of the AAAI after completing a year; the new president will be chosen on July 30

Colvyn Harris, chief executive officer, JWT India and president, Advertising Agencies Association of India has chosen not to continue in the latter capacity after completing a year.

Harris took over from Madhukar Kamath, managing director and chief executive officer, Mudra Group. He was the vice-president of the AAAI for two years before that.

Explaining the reason behind his decision, Harris says that he wants to give more time to JWT.

"I have not stepped down. I have done one term. I could have done one more, which I chose not to as I need to devote more time to JWT. JWT is a big ship and needs more of my time," he says. However, he adds that he will continue to remain associated with the AAAI, being on the executive committee.

The vice-president is usually elected as the successive president. However, the nominations for the next president will be opened today and the prospective candidates will be chosen by the evening.

Nagesh Alai, executive director, Interface Communications is the current vice-president. The eventual candidate to succeed Harris will be chosen on July 30 at AAAI's annual general meeting.

Neville Gomes, managing director, Multimedia Aquarius is the honorary secretary and Ashish Bhasin, chairperson, Carat Media Services India the honorary treasurer.

The executive committee also includes MG Parameswaran, executive director, Draft FCB Ulka; Nakul Chopra, chief executive officer, Publicis Communications, South Asia; Prasoon Joshi, regional executive creative director, Asia Pacific, McCann Erickson; Sam Balsara, chairperson and managing director, Madison Communications; Srinivasan K Swamy, MD and CEO, RK Swamy/BBDO; Surajit Nag of Advertising & Sales Promotion Company; Tapas Gupta of BEI Confluence Communication; Umesh Shrikhande, CEO, Contract Advertising; Vikram Sakhuja of GroupM; and Vinod Nair of Network Advertising.

The AAAI is the official national organisation of advertising agencies, consisting of about 100 members, which together account for almost 80 per cent of the advertising business in the country. It is recognised as the spokesperson for the advertising industry at all forums.