AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award for Ranjan Kapur of WPP

Ranjan Kapur, country manager, India, WPP Group, is being given the AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award. He is the first winner of the award.

The award was instituted recently by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) to honour an Indian for his/ her outstanding contribution to the advertising industry. The individual’s contribution in areas such as leadership and contribution towards advancement and professionalism in the industry are criteria for the award.

Kapur started his career in 1965 when he joined SH Benson (now O&M) as an intern. The agency was headed by expats at the time, and when they left, the vacant positions were taken up by young talented professionals, among them Kapur. He was promoted to a senior position and even became a member of the board.

He says, “I am very proud that the advertising industry has grown up on its own. It is an industry ruled by Indians and made for Indians. I have resided in many countries and come to realise that Indians have the most creative minds.” He believes that the industry works on the principle of organised chaos.

AAAI president Madhukar Kamath says, “We wanted to award the leaders in the industry and Ranjan was the perfect person to be the first awardee. He has recognised, nurtured and empowered Piyush (Pandey) and he has pushed O&M towards Cannes.”

Kapur will be felicitated at a special ceremony held in his honour on August 14.