Seven local advertising mavericks were recognised yesterday for their contributions which helped put Malaysia on the world map of the advertising industry.

The Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) named seven deserving players in the advertising world who received the Malaysian Advertising Hall of Fame awards.

The awards were conceptualised to recognise outstanding people whose commitment to excellence through their influence, ideas, creativity and innovation has changed the course of the industry in the country.

The seven who were inducted into the Hall of Fame were Yasmin Ahmad, Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing, the late Peter Beaumont, the late Datuk Jaffar Ali, Janet Yeo, the late John Machado and Kenneth Smith.

“The recognition is long overdue. The seven inductees, distinguished leaders and luminaries of the industry over the past 30 years, have sharpened the advertising industry’s landscape through their leadership qualities,” said 4As president Datuk Vincent Lee.

“We wish to pay tribute to these leaders who best embody the qualities of insight, ethics and courage which are the key attributes of visionary leadership. Their Midas Touch and the collective creativity of these individuals are what we will be celebrating,” added Lee, who is also Naga DDB Sdn Bhd executive chairman.

“We set the bar high with the first class of legends because we want to recognise and honour those in our advertising community who have made an immeasurable contribution to our profession,” he added.

Lee said the recipients were nominated by the 4As Council and selected for their achievements to the advertising industry based on three criteria:

  * the power and value of brands they have built;
  * their contribution to human capital development;
  * their contribution to Malaysian society.

“In conjunction with the Kancil Awards’ 30th anniversary, it is a good time to establish the inaugural 4As Hall of Fame awards,” 4As vice-president Tony Savarimuthu who is McCann Worldgroup CEO told reporters at the induction ceremony.

The 4As will look into publishing a book to document the great brands and the achievements of great leaders which will serve like an achieve.

The awards were presented with a plaque during the induction ceremony and will receive their trophy on the Kancil Awards night on Friday.

Simon Beaumont, who received the award on behalf of his father, the late Beaumont said; “My dad would be amused to receive the Hall of Fame Award but he would be secretly pleased.”

He said Malaysian advertising has changed tremendously since 40 years ago and his father would have been proud to have been part of it.

The late Machado played the maverick and trumps the local ad industry. His wife Teo Ee Sim who was touched and slightly teary said Machado proudest achievement is to have worked with wonderful people, who have gone on to be luminaries in their own right.