Sankarayya becomes D&AD president
Interactive designer Simon 'Sanky' Sankarayya has today become the new D&AD president while regional agency figures have been elected to its new executive committee.
Sankarayya will act as figurehead for the organisation, which promotes creative excellence in advertising and design.
He succeeds Paul Brazier, who steps down tonight having completed his three year term on the D&AD executive committee.
Sankarayya started out as a graffiti artist before going on to study information design at the University of Nottingham.
He joined Digit as an art director when it opened in 1995 and stayed there until he co-founded AllofUs in 2003.
Over the last year he has worked closely with D&AD on the development of its new website, which will launch at the end of this month.
"I want to act as a bridge between advertising and design, ensuring a ‘digital spine’ runs through all of D&AD’s activities," Sankarayya said.
"I want to support new talent and give graduates the leg up that they need and engage with smaller agencies and individuals that are shaping our industry through a variety of smaller events and taking a fresh look at what we have to offer online."
The new D&AD executive committee features some familiar faces from The Drum's patch outside the M25. The elected members are:
Rosie Arnold, BBH
Mark Bonner, GBH
Neville Brody, Research Studios
Andy Cheetham, CheethamBellJWT
Bryan Clark, University College Falmouth
Vince Frost, Frost*
Steven Johnson, The Hub
Ben Priest, adam&eve
Mike Stephenson, Moon
Alexandra Taylor, Mrs McGuinty
Seal Toal, The Creative Rebellion
The following D&AD Members have stepped down from the Executive Committee:
Paul Brazier, AMV.BBDO
Mark Denton, Coy! Communications
Bill Mawhinney, McCann Erickson Birmingham
Steve Mykolyn, Taxi
Greg Quinton, The Partners
Jane Scherbaum, V&A