Chennai: The Advertising Club Madras has announced the election of Surej Salim, Co-Founder & COO of Digitally Inspired Media, as its 46th President for the year 2025–2026 at the Club’s Annual General Meeting held on Friday, 24th October 2025.
Surej, who previously served as the Secretary of the Club, brings nearly two decades of experience in advertising and marketing, along with a strong passion for creativity, collaboration, and community-building.
As a mark of respect, the Club observed a minute of silence in memory of Piyush Pandey, one of India’s most iconic and inspirational advertising leaders. This was followed by a heartfelt tribute speech celebrating his immense contribution to the creative industry. Members also wore black ribbons as a symbolic gesture of remembrance and respect.
Speaking on 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.”
Newly elected Secretary Kavitha Srinivasan added, “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.”
Office Bearers and Executive Committee (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
Executive Committee Members:
Chockalingam S (OPN Advertising Pvt. Ltd.), L.V. Navaneeth (The Hindu Group), John Justin (The Hindu Group), Ramkumar Singaram (Catalyst Public Relations Pvt. Ltd.), M. Ramalingam (Ontwikkel Advertising Pvt. Ltd.), Siluvai Amalan (Mr. A Brand Works), N. Upendran (Ayatiworks Technologies LLP), Rakesh (Deepsense Digital Solutions Pvt. Ltd.), Ravindran Solomon (Soloverse), and Baatul Turab (The Raven Claw).
Co-opted Members:
Past Presidents Karthic Moorthy (Elegant Publicities), Anbuchezhian K, M.M. Charly, P. Shree Prakash (Feswa), and Paul Anthony (Luminas India Associates) continue as co-opted members, with Saravana (PSG Institutions) newly appointed to the committee.
Key Initiatives of The Advertising Club Madras
MADDYS: The Club’s flagship awards celebrating excellence in advertising and communication.
Student Chapters: Partnerships with leading educational institutions to mentor and inspire emerging talent.
PG Diploma in Advertising (PGDA): A professional program offering practical, industry-led learning.
InsightView Series: Webinars decoding trends and opportunities in advertising and marketing.
AdTalks: In-person sessions featuring top professionals sharing insights and experiences.
Events, Workshops & Sports: From Pub Quizzes to tournaments, the Club fosters learning, networking, and camaraderie among members.
