S.K.Swamy- Chip of the old block

The India chapter of the International Advertising Association recently inducted Srinivasan K.Swamy, the chairman of R.K.Swamy Hansa group of companies into its Hall of fame “ For building stable and meaningful companies in all areas  of the communication business in India and abroad.” A well deserved recognition for a man who is well known for his multi tasking abilities and  his total commitment to whatever cause he takes up.

Sunder, as he is known among friends is the son of the legendary adman R.K.Swamy. Not only he is a chip of the old block but has excelled his father in terms of his achievements in the area of his business, professional bodies and social service which can be only described as `awesome`!

Since his father`s death he has been successfully steering the group  Companies  with interests in a range of Advertising  and Marketing Services  like Events, Activation, Marketing & Media Consultancy, Global Language Services and Public Relations; Social and Rural Sector Communications; Human Resources Communications; Healthcare Communications; Market Research etc  besides  Real Estate Development. The group with a revenue of over Rs 600 Crores  employs in excess of 2000 people. 

He  is the Past President  of Advertising Agencies Association of India (2004-07), All India Management Association (2008-09), The Madras Chamber of Commerce & Industry (2008-10), Confederation of Asian Advertising Agency Associations (2010-12), India Chapter of International Advertising Association (2012-16) and Advertising Standards Council of India (2016-17). Currently he serves as Senior Vice President, a World President-Elect position, of International Advertising Association which will see him  as the President  between 2018 & 2020. He is also Vice Chairman of Asian Federation of Advertising Associations and a Governing Council member of Audit Bureau of Circulations. 

His contribution to the advertising & marketing industry is noteworthy. He strived for, and ensured equal bi-lateral relations between the broadcaster body, Indian Broadcasting Foundation, and advertising agencies body, Advertising Agencies Association of India, and was the Chairman of this joint industry body IBF-AAAI for 8 years. He was the brain  behind the starting of Goafest, India’s largest advertising festival.

His involvement in Social service is equally impressive.   As President,  he is actively involved in running the 220-bed, multi-discipline, tertiary care Hindu Mission Hospital at Chennai catering to the urban poor and the surrounding rural areas.  As Chairman of Valluvar Gurukulam School Society, he is providing leadership to run three schools for 2800 poor students, primarily girls, whose parents have not entered the portals of any school.  He is also the Vice President of National Boys & Girls Education Society  and Chairman of Vidyadhanam & Annadhanam Trust  involved in imparting Vedic education as a residential programme.  He is also a Trustee in the Consumers Association of India and CONCERT. As a philanthropist, he supports many religious, educational and healthcare causes that he is involved in.

It is not surprising that his work is being  recognized by both industry and social bodies.  Advertising Club Madras presented him with the Distinguished  Service Award in 2016 which was  closely  followed  by the Life Time Achievement  Award from  Advertising  Agencies association of India.  It is interesting to note that more than two decades ago his father was the recipient of both these awards. Recently  he received the  Lifetime Achievement Award  from Rotary Club of Guindy . 

 An  industry veteran described Sundar  as the President on steroids. Yes, his nervous energy is as infectious as his booming laughter that precedes him everywhere. He exudes positive energy and he has the capability of diffusing the most delicate situation with his explosive laughter. I have worked with Sundar closely during our Adclub days and later as a Trustee of Consumers Association of India. And I can tell you that it is always a pleasure dealing with him. Inspite of his hectic life style, he always finds time to keep his commitments and help friends in need.

I am sure that Sundar who is in his early sixties will continue to win more laurels in the years to come!