MUMBAI: The International Advertising Association (IAA) India Chapter has announced its next important initiative – IAA Young Turks Forum – which is focused on young executives who are keen to interact and learn from industry leaders.

This will be a bi-monthly series and for the inaugural one, Akzo Nobel India’s chairman Nihal Kaviratne, has kindly agreed to meet the young professionals to address as well as mentor them. Kaviratne will initially present an analysis of consumption trends in Asia and then interact with the audience on leadership in turbulent times. HBO south Asia is the presenting partner for IAA Young Turks Forum.

Kaviratne was cited in the Queen’s 2004 New Year Honours list in the UK and was awarded as the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to UK business interests and for sustainable development in Indonesia. In January 2004, he moved from being Chairman of Unilever Indonesia to a regional role in the Unilever Asia Business Group based in Singapore as Senior Vice President - Development & Environmental Affairs. In January 2005, he assumed additional responsibility as Chairman of Unilever’s US$2.5 billion Home & Oral Care business in Asia.

Currently, Kaviratne is director of DBS Group & Bank, StarHub, Singapore Airport Terminal Services Limited (SATS), Wildlife Reserves Singapore, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited. He is a member of the Governing Board of Bombay Mothers & Children Welfare Society.

IAA India Chapter president & IAA VP development Asia/Pacific region Srinivasan K Swamy said, "IAA has been thinking of doing something for young executives who are the backbone of industry tomorrow. With the launch of IAA Young Turks Forum, we hope to fill this gap. We are delighted to have someone like Nihal Kaviratne who has rich global experience to be our guest at the inaugural IAA Young Turks Forum series. We are sure young professionals will take full opportunity to learn from his insights on whatever he expounds.”

“HBO has always had a strong connect with youth audiences and we are delighted to be associated with this thought exchange platform for young leaders,” said HBO south Asia’s managing director Monica Tata, presenting partner of the IAA Young Turks Forum.

Mahindra’s special services group’s head marketing and public relations Manish Advani who is also chair of the IAA Young Turks Forum series added, “The IAA Young Turks Forum is a unique effort to bring together international gurus and young professionals face-to-face. We are confident in presenting top notch leaders every two months to this young audience”.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to generate interest in the topic, the IAA (India Chapter) has invited Young Turks to send their thoughts on “Asia, Who’s Consuming” or “Leadership in Turbulent Times” in about 500 words to IAA. The chosen best article will win a Nokia cellphone along with a Certificate from the International Advertising Association.