IAA felicitates Ranil de Silva

by Sapumali GALAGODA

Sri Lankan advertising icon Ranil de Silva was presented the Global Medal of Merit for his outstanding service by the International Advertising Association (IAA) at the World Congress in Moscow.

The IAA headquartered in New York with 56 chapters around the world, established the medal of merit in the 1960s.

It is granted to a few professionals every two years, making this honour noteworthy and a tribute to the contribution made by de Silva not only to the advertising industry but also to the IAA as well.

It is the first time a Sri Lankan was presented this medal.

De Silva has been in advertising since 1981. He started his career at JWT Colombo as its first Sri Lankan employee and rose to the position of International Vice-President. He also had the honour of being selected to serve in the JWT network outside Sri Lanka a first for the country.

Having started Leo Burnett 11 years ago he has taken the Colombo office to great heights achieving the number one position for the agency and winning the first ever medal for the country at an International Award Festival.

Cannes Lions appointed him as their representative in Sri Lanka and has given Sri Lanka’s advertising industry to be exposed to the best of the world in advertising through numerous exhibitions and forums of Cannes Lions winners.

He has also provided 20 Sri Lankan professionals the opportunity to participate in the programs conducted by the organisers of the Cannes Lions.