The Advertising Agencies Association of India has announced Sam Balsara, Chairman & Managing Director, Madison World as its recipient for its Lifetime Achievement Award-2009.The award will be presented to him on November 13 in Mumbai. The award is presented annually and recognizes the individual’s contribution towards the advertising agency.

Madhukar Kamath, President, AAAI and MD & CEO, Mudra Group along with the announcement also added, “Sam Balsara is an extremely respected professional and an acknowledged leader in the Industry today. With over 35 years of experience in the industry, Sam is a powerhouse of energy, ideas, enthusiasm and more importantly, humility.”

He further said, “Apart from growing Madison into one of India’s most reputed home-grown, diversified communications group in a short span of two decades, Sam has made immense contribution to the Indian advertising industry with his enthusiastic and selfless participation in the agenda of the AAAI, ASCI, IAA, Advertising Club, etc. He has been in the forefront of championing industry issues, be it with the Government, or the media fraternity, apart from working spiritedly to get various bodies like IBF, INS, ISA, etc., on to a common platform. He is indeed an inspiration to us all and a most deserving recipient of this award. By bestowing this honour on Sam, we salute his contribution to the Indian advertising industry.”