Media under the spotlight at convention

One of the country’s top creative advertising agencies, Young and Rubicam (Y&R) South Africa has joined forces with the Tomorrow’s Leaders Convention in a bid to put the spotlight firmly on the media and advertising industry’s current and emerging talent.

The world-renowned agency has announced that it will be hosting the Media and Advertising breakaway session at the 4th annual convention at the Sandton International Convention Centre on Thursday, 31 March 2011.

According to the Chairman of Y&R SA, Yossi Schwartz, “Y&R is one of the world's leading full-service advertising agencies, distinguished by its knowledge, analytic rigour and creative solutions. Guided by a left-brain-right-brain philosophy that promotes the combination of creative and business leadership available to any client partner, Y&R brings brand stories to life. Supporting the Tomorrow’s Leaders Convention underpins the agency’s strategy to be the preferred long-term, trusted communications partner who offers ideas before and beyond advertising.”

Said convention director Dylan James, “We are privileged to have the Minister of Public Enterprises, Malusi Gigaba and a number of other leaders addressing the plenary session at the 2011 convention. These include Jimmy Manyi who was recently appointed CEO of the Government Communications and Information Systems as well as spokesman for Cabinet, Saki Macozoma, President of Business Leadership South Africa and Chairman of Liberty, Vusi Pikoli former NPA Director and now Forensics Director of Gobodo, Dr Hansgeorg Niefer, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa, and Clem Sunter, world -renowned futurist and scenario planner.
“During the afternoon, breakaway sessions will cover issues such as tax morality, statistics, media and advertising, construction and engineering, banking and finance, retail, corporate services and the burgeoning hospitality and automotive sectors," said James.
"These sessions are a unique opportunity designed to enable tomorrow’s leaders to bond with their peer group, exchange ideas and develop life-time friendships. This is regarded as one of the most important features of the convention."

Yossi Schwartz adds, “Y&R is putting together a panel of world class experts on the subject of media and advertising and aims to offer delegates insights into the future of brands and communication that may not have even been considered before.”
Hosted by Leadership magazine the prestigious convention attracts dynamic leaders who have already achieved unusual success in their careers and who are earmarked to head their companies and organisation in the future. The convention is a unique opportunity to debate pressing leadership issues and provides a vital networking platform for the country’s emerging talent.
The nomination period is still open for the 2011 convention and organisations have been invited to nominate their future leaders to attend as guests of Leadership magazine at no cost. South Africa has an abundance of highly talented leaders and the best way to ensure their future role in the country can be summed up in one word: "recognition", says James.
"From the convention proceedings comes a Blueprint for Corporate South Africa, published in a coffee-table book which, we believe, will become the bible of business in this country for years to come," says James.
He added that the involvement of Y&R at this year's event would help to focus attention on the critical role of the media in a changing society.