Nepal Advertising Association concludes 25th AGM

KATHMANDU: Nepal Advertising Association (NAA), the first industrial organization in Nepal’s communication sector, successfully concluded its 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM) with two special programs, engaging advertisers, media, regulatory bodies, and advertising agencies.

The first session, held at Hotel Hyatt Place in Tahachal, Kathmandu, focused on institutional processes.

The association’s annual and financial reports, along with the proposed budget and programs for the upcoming fiscal year, were presented by the General Secretary and Treasurer.

These reports were approved by a majority, fulfilling regulatory requirements.

The second session featured an extensive interaction program titled “Staying Relevant: Reshaping Nepal’s Advertising Landscape.”

The program, coordinated by renowned media producer and presenter Bhushan Dahal, saw insights shared by several key figures, including:

• Laxman Humagai, Chairperson of the Advertising Board
• Anjan Shrestha, Senior Vice Chair of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI)
• Rohit Gupta, Vice Chair of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI)
• Kamlesh Agrawal, Nepal Chamber of Commerce
• Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar, Chairperson of Media Alliance Nepal
• Dharma Raj Bhushal, Chairperson of Himalaya Television
• Sudip Thapa, Chair  of NAA

Prominent advertising professional Ranjit Acharya highlighted the current state of the advertising and media industry within the national socio-economic context.

The program concluded with key recommendations, emphasizing the need for advertisers and media to modernize and adapt. Advertisers were urged to view advertisements as investments rather than expenses, while media outlets were encouraged to produce appealing content for both advertisers and target audiences.

Discussions also called for revisiting restrictive laws such as the Public Health Act and Clean Feed Policy to ensure balanced industry growth.

In the third session, veteran media personalities, including Yadav Kharel, Bharati Silwal Giri, R.K. Manandhar of Image Channel, the late Pushkar Lal Shrestha (founder of Kamana Publications), and Ghanashyam Rajarnikar of Krishna Pauroti, were honored for their contributions to the advertising industry’s evolution.

Additionally, Prashanna Shrestha and Saishma Ghimire were recognized with certificates of appreciation for their achievement in representing Nepal at the Young Lotus Workshop 2024 in Thailand.

Competing among representatives from 18 advertising markets across the Asia-Pacific region, they secured a position in the top five, further elevating Nepal’s presence on the global advertising map.

The event underscored the commitment of all stakeholders to fostering a progressive and sustainable advertising ecosystem in Nepal.