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Madison World chairman Sam Balsara has been named as the first keynote speaker for the World Out of Home Organization's first in-person APAC Forum to be held at the Intercontinental hotel, Kuala Lumpur from October 11-13.
Madison World is the largest Indian-owned communications company employing more than 1,000 communication experts serving around 500 advertisers. It is the largest independent media agency by share and 5th largest independent media agency by size globally according to RECMA.
Balsara, an industry veteran with nearly 50 years' experience, has served as President or Chairman of a number of industry bodies and been voted India's most influential media person 11 times by The Economic Times Brand Equity Ad Agency Reckoner. He is also the recipient of the Advertising Agencies Association of India's Lifetime Achievement Award.
WOO President Tom Goddard said: "We are immensely honoured to welcome Sam as a keynote speaker at our APAC Forum. He is a legend in advertising and media in India and the wider Asian market and will help to ensure that the APAC Forum shines the most revealing light on the status and prospects for Out of Home in this hugely important region."
One of Australia's leading media executives, Cathy O'Connor, is also scheduled to be a keynote speaker and will open the second day of the Forum, the focus of which will be the ‘Science of Out of Home’ covering key subjects of including audience measurement and the importance of data, and the increasing impact of the range of Adtech developments on the sector.
O'Connor succeeded company founder Brendon Cook as CEO and Managing Director of oOh!media in 2020. Before that she was head of Nova Entertainment for 12 years after beginning her career in radio sales.
Now O'Connor is leading the strategic evolution of oOh!’s business model at a time of rapid change, capitalising on the company’s significant investments in data, audience insights, content and creative to target sustained growth.
She is also a Governor of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation, Chair of the Sony Foundation, and previously served on the Commercial Radio Australia Board. Her many achievements include a Telstra NSW Business Women's Award for the Private Sector, a Centenary Medal for Service to Australian Society in Business Leadership, and induction into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame. O’Connor has also just taken the number one position in the B&T Women in Media Power List 2022.
A graduate of the Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), she also holds a BA in Communications from University of Technology Sydney.
Predecessor Brendon Cook was a long-time WOO board member and the recipient of WOO's Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Global Congress in Toronto.
Tom Goddard commented: "We're delighted to welcome Cathy to our APAC Forum in October. She is a key member of the generation of dynamic media executives who are transforming not just Out of Home but the wider media landscape.
"It's especially pleasing to welcome her as it builds on the long relationship WOO, and before that FEPE international, has had with oOh!media."
The World Out of Home Organization (WOO) is the only global Out of Home Association, working to promote and improve the OOH industry on behalf of its members.
