The 4As held its 2006 Annual General Meeting on April 30 where President Anthony Kang delivered his report for the past year and shared the Association's plans for the next 12 months.

Helping businesses, developing talents for our creative industry and staying relevant in this ever-changing environment are clearly important areas that the 4As will focus over the next 12 months.

In its efforts to help and protect members' businesses, the Ethics & Better Business Committee will launch the Advisory List in 2007. Whilst the 4As recognises that business development is an integral part of the advertising business, it has noticed that agencies doubtful and bad debts are on the rise. The 4As Advisory List will alert members of dishonourable and recalcitrant advertisers and allow them to share information with each other.

With its recent move into going regional, the 4As has joined forces with other 4As around the Asian region to form the Confederation of Asian Advertising Agency Associations (C4As). This new trade body is formed with the aim of pursuing shared objectives, which are necessary due to the fast changing business environment and today's evolving media trends, practices and technologies.

The C4As aims to foster greater cohesion among practitioners in the region to promote and maintain high and uniform professional standards, especially on common issues such as those impacting upon agency fees and commissions.

The 4As recognises the importance of developing young talents to keep Singapore 's creative industry fresh and vibrant and will continue to work with the Ad-Ucation Council in nurturing creative excellence amongst our student population through talent development initiatives such as the Crowbars.

“We will make the Crowbar Awards even more exciting and competitive this year by actively expanding our network to include more regional institutions from the creative sector,” said Kang

The Education Committee will also explore training opportunities for industry professionals, which they hope to launch in 2007.

The Executive Committee will retreat in the first half of 2007 to conduct a strategic review and to develop plans to ensure the continued relevance of the association and its vision, mission, and medium-term strategic direction.

In closing, Kang added, “We will continue to represent our members' interests in the wider community and within the industry, and will work to provide opportunities for growth and development.”