MindShare Singapore’s new Managing Director, Leela Nair is named the new Chairperson for the Singapore Media Awards (SMA) 2011, replacing Peter Diermayr, who has since stepped down as he moves into a new role within MindShare.

Having led teams who have won a multitude of awards including the Cannes Grand Prix Lion and NY Effectiveness award, Nair has a wealth of experience in local, regional and global account management having worked for over 20 years in media planning and negotiation.

Nair is also a strong advocate for the development of new talent and recently initiated the launch of Media Masters, a unique bootcamp style training program for entry level recruits with GroupM Singapore.

“I feel honoured to receive the role of SMA 2011 Chairperson from Peter,” says Nair, “SMA has a long standing reputation as the most prominent awards for Singapore’s media professionals, and it is a great privilege to be given an opportunity to be part of it.”

Organised by the 4As and in its 7th year, SMA celebrates exceptional media strategies used in successful advertising campaigns, as well as recognises outstanding contributions made by the media industry’s brightest minds.