Singapore , 30 August 2006 - The Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Singapore (4As) has taken a big step to further champion the standard and interests of the advertising and marketing communications industry and the creative professionals by appointing its first Creative Advisory Panel (CAP) .

The Creative Advisory Panel will serve as an expert resource for the 4As to identify, develop and maintain the highest level of creative standards for the industry as well as advise the 4As' Executive Committee on issues and matters relating to the creative sector, such as establishing rules and regulations for creative events and awards organised by the 4As. The Panel is also tasked with assisting the Executive Committee to evaluate suggestions, proposals and feedback.

Appointed as the Panel's first Chairman is industry veteran Linda Locke, Leo Burnett Asia Pacific's Regional Executive Creative Director. Locke was one of the five individual recipients honoured with a “Champion of the Creative Circle Award” at the 25 th Anniversary Creative Circle Awards (CCA) in 2005 for her years of contribution to the industry.

“I believe the Creative Advisory Panel can contribute by harnessing the expertise of ex-CCA chairmen to keep the CCA up-to-date, consistent and focused,” Locke commented on one of the panel's roles.

 “I believe that the Creative Advisory Panel can do more to raise the education and exposure level of the industry and clients by working with the 4As to bring in external shows or experts,” Locke added, citing: “For example, we are currently working with D&AD to host a showcase of the best D&AD works and the 4As has worked with Leo Burnett to execute Engage – a conference that was regarded as ‘the edge of the cutting edge.'”

Serving alongside Locke on the Creative Advisory Panel are four respected figures in the industry.  They are Robert Gaxiola, Executive Creative Director of Bates and Chairman of the 2006 CCA and past CCA chairmen: Ng Tian It, Executive Creative Director of McCann-Erickson, Tay Guan Hin, Regional Executive Creative Director of J Walter Thompson and another industry veteran, Patrick Low, Executive Creative Director of Y&R and a fellow recipient of the “Champion of the Creative Circle Award” in 2005.

Announcing the appointment of the Creative Advisory Panel was Eric Teng, First Vice President of the 4As Executive Committee and Chairman of the Creative Standards Committee who will serve as Ex-Officio member on the Panel: “We have a lot of very talented, experienced and savvy members on the Panel” elaborating “It's great that we now have a forum to harness their expertise for the common good of our industry”.

Teng stated that one of the main reasons for appointing the Creative Advisory Panel is to engage and involve more creative professionals in the work of the association and so that the 4As Executive Committee did not just consist of media and marketing professionals.

“We wanted to send out a clear message that the 4As places high priority on the development of creative standards in our local industry,” Teng explained. “The direct involvement of creative folks would provide a relevant perspective to the work of the 4As and the industry as a whole would benefit from their contribution”

Members of the Creative Advisory Panel are selected on an individual basis and will not participate in discussions on issues related to an organisation of which she or he is a member or is otherwise closed linked. The inaugural Creative Advisory Panel will service for a period of two years.

For more information please call Chua Bee Hong, Executive Director of 4As at 6836 0600 or email: beehong@4as.org.sg

About 4As (Association of Accredited Advertising Agents, Singapore)
The Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Singapore was founded in 1948. Better known as the 4As, this non-profit trade association represents advertising and marketing communications practitioners, agencies and related businesses in Singapore. The 4As works in close co-operation with other related trade associations, schools and government bodies to nurture talent and to improve the stature and prominence of the advertising and marketing communications industry. Among the key events organised and promoted by the 4As are the Singapore Creative Circle Awards or the Gong Show; the Students Creative Awards, commonly known as The Crowbars; and the Singapore Media Awards.