The Advertising Club Madras has ushered in a new leadership chapter with the election of Surej Salim, Co-Founder and COO of Digitally Inspired Media, as its 46th President for the year 2025–2026. The announcement was made at the Club’s Annual General Meeting held on Friday, 24th October 2025, marking a moment of both forward ambition and deep emotional reflection for the regional advertising fraternity
A respected strategist and creative catalyst with nearly two decades in the advertising and marketing ecosystem, Surej steps into the role after previously serving as the Club’s Secretary. Widely known for his vision-driven leadership and commitment to community building, he is expected to steer the Club through a year focused on innovation, inclusivity and industry elevation.
The evening began on a solemn note as members observed a minute of silence in memory of the late Piyush Pandey — the legendary adman whose voice and vision defined generations of Indian creativity. In a moving tribute, the Club honoured his unparalleled contribution to advertising, with members donning black ribbons as a symbolic gesture of respect and remembrance. The moment served as a powerful reminder of the legacy the Club continues to uphold while preparing for its future.
Speaking after his appointment, Surej Salim said, “It’s an honour to lead a legacy institution like the Advertising Club of Madras, which has been the heartbeat of the advertising and marketing community for nearly seven decades. My vision is to strengthen our community, celebrate creativity, and create more opportunities for learning and collaboration. With the collective energy of our members and the dynamic new committee, I’m confident we can make this a truly inspiring year for the Club.”
Joining him in the leadership team is newly elected Secretary Kavitha Srinivasan of Coeus Communications India LLP. Expressing her enthusiasm, she said, “I am delighted to be elected as Secretary of the Advertising Club of Madras. With a talented team and enthusiastic members, we are poised to make a significant impact in the industry. I look forward to working collaboratively to deliver engaging events, insightful discussions, and valuable networking opportunities.”
Leadership Team for 2025–2026
• President: Surej Salim – Digitally Inspired Media
• Vice President: Umanath V – MediaNews4U.com
• Secretary: Kavitha Srinivasan – Coeus Communications India LLP
• Joint Secretary: Stalin Periasamy – Presto Advertising
• Treasurer: Murugan K – Jaya TV
• Immediate Past President (Ex Officio): S Balasubramanian – Dinamalar
They will be supported by a strong executive committee featuring experienced leaders from The Hindu Group, Catalyst Public Relations, Ayatiworks Technologies, Deepsense Digital, Soloverse, Ontwikkel Advertising, and other key agencies across print, digital, and creative services — reflecting the Club’s expansive representation of the evolving media ecosystem.
Past presidents Karthic Moorthy, Anbuchezhian K, M.M. Charly, P. Shree Prakash, and Paul Anthony continue to serve as co-opted members, while Saravana of PSG Institutions joins the committee — further deepening the Club’s bridge with academia.
Carrying Forward a Legacy of Impactful Initiatives
The Advertising Club Madras continues to be the pulse of industry learning, celebration and collaboration in South India. Its flagship initiatives include:
• MADDYS Awards — one of South India’s most respected platforms honouring advertising excellence.
• Student Chapters — academic partnerships nurturing young creative and strategic talent.
• PG Diploma in Advertising (PGDA) — an industry-led program equipping future professionals with practical skills.
• InsightView Webinars & AdTalks Sessions — knowledge-sharing platforms that decode market trends and spotlight industry leaders.
• Events, Workshops & Sports — from innovative pub quizzes to friendly sports tournaments, fostering creativity, networking and camaraderie.
As Surej Salim takes over at a time when advertising is rapidly reshaped by AI, content convergence and the creator economy, his leadership is expected to reflect the Club’s renewed commitment to staying future-focused while staying rooted in its community-first legacy. Industry members now look forward to a year that promises to be both inspiring and impact-driven — a fitting tribute to the giants whose legacy the Club continues to carry forward, and a bold step toward the future it is ready to build.
