Johanna McDowell, Founder and MD of Independent Agency Search and Selection Company, is South Africa's only representative to attend the London event. It is her seventh year of attendance.
"It would be impossible to do my job effectively without attending these international summits as the content is indicative of trends for agencies and clients as well as a unique opportunity to network with like-minded consultant colleagues from all over the world," says McDowell. "An international perspective on agencies and clients is vital."
A highlight on the agenda is Martin Sorrell's dinner. Sir Martin, a British businessman and the chief executive officer of WPP plc, is arguably the most influential man in the global ad industry. His multinational advertising and public relations company is the world's largest advertising company by revenues, and employs around 162,000 people in 3,000 offices across 110 countries.
With nearly half a million members, AdForum.com is a leading information provider focused on the global advertising industry. Partnered with the leading trade press worldwide, but also with the industry's top award shows, AdForum gathers information on 24,000 agencies and 150,000 campaigns (TV, print, interactive, etc.).
The information gleaned in these sessions remains confidential but it informs and supports attendees' analyses of influences that drive the local marketing and communication industry and enhances their ability to be an impartial, progressive and up-to-date source of information for the industry.
