New York: New York Festivals® AME Awards®, celebrating its 31st year of recognizing global excellence in advertising and marketing effectiveness, has announced the appointment of Rana Barua, Group CEO of Havas India, SE Asia, and North Asia (Japan & South Korea), to its esteemed 2025 AME Awards Advisory Board.
With nearly three decades of industry experience, Barua has been a transformative force in global advertising, spearheading growth and innovation. Since joining Havas India in 2018, he has led the company into a thriving ecosystem, earning an expanded leadership role in 2024 overseeing nine additional markets across Asia. His dynamic leadership and strategic insights make him a valuable addition to the AME Advisory Board.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Barua stated, “I am thrilled to be joining the coveted New York Festivals’ AME Advisory Board. Advertising is ever-evolving and rapidly changing, driven by tech and digital transformation. I look forward to leveraging my experience as an advisor while witnessing groundbreaking work, emerging trends, and innovative storytelling that shape the future of our business.”
Beyond his corporate role, Barua plays a pivotal part in India’s advertising industry as President of The Advertising Club (TAC) and Vice President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI). As Chairman of The ABBYs Award Governing Council, he has been instrumental in revitalizing the iconic awards in collaboration with The One Show. His commitment to progressive industry initiatives is also evident through Havas India’s role as a founding member of the UN Women Unstereotype Alliance India Chapter, working to combat harmful stereotypes in advertising.
Welcoming Barua to the Advisory Board, Gayle Seminara Mandel, VP, Executive Director of New York Festivals AME Awards, remarked, “We are beyond grateful that Rana Barua is joining the Advisory Board to provide ongoing support and insight. As a global advocate for creativity that delivers measurable results, his regional expertise and industry perspective are invaluable. His contributions will help ensure that AME continues to honor the most effective, culturally resonant, and results-driven work from around the world.”
The AME Advisory Board comprises influential global leaders who offer strategic guidance, regional perspectives, and expert insights into emerging trends and industry evolution. Their role strengthens AME’s position as a benchmark for creative and effective advertising campaigns worldwide.
The deadline for entering the 2025 AME Awards competition is June 15, 2025. For more details, visit www.newyorkfestivals.com/ame.
