Brand building is vital for M’sia

It has been a roller coaster year for the Malaysian advertising industry. The year started optimistically; but soon sentiments were hit by the Iraq war and SARS outbreak. 

Thankfully, the SARS outbreak was brief, and the second half of the year witnessed a strong rebound in the economy, and with that confidence is returning to the advertising industry. 

So what are the prospects and challenges for the industry in the months and year ahead? 

StarBiz invited a panel of leading personalities in the industry for a roundtable discussion on the subject. 

Seated from left to right: Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) vice-president Juni Ewe, 4As president Khoo Boo Boon, Star Publications general manager (advertising & business development) Datin Linda Ngiam, Malaysian Advertisers Association (MAA) president Shahar Noor and Star Publications deputy group chief editor and business editor Datuk Wong Sulong. Standing (L-R): Star Publications deputy news editor (business) M. Hafidz Mahpar, International Advertising Association's Malaysian chapter president Rishya Joseph, MAA vice-president Bharat Avalani, StarBiz reporter Elaine Ang, and Star Publications advertising manager Richard Foo.

Taking part were : RISHYA JOSEPH, president of the Malaysian chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA), KHOO BOO BOON and JUNI EWE, president and vice-president of the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As), and SHAHAR NOOR and BHARAT AVALANI, president and vice-president of the Malaysian Advertisers Association (MAA). Representing The Star were DATIN LINDA NGIAM, general manager (advertising and business development), M. HAFIDZ MAHPAR, StarBiz deputy news editor and DATUK WONG SULONG, deputy group chief editor, who chaired the roundtable. 

Thankfully, the SARS outbreak was brief, and the second half of the year witnessed a strong rebound in the economy, and with that confidence is returning to the advertising industry.