The ASAI has appointed Ann Marie Lenihan, CEO of NewsBrands Ireland, to its board while Clare Mulcahy, Senior Consumer Protection Manager at the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has been appointed to the Independent Complaints Committee.
The ASAI is the independent self-regulatory body for the advertising and marketing communications industry in Ireland. Lenihan joins the board with immediate effect. She has extensive experience in the Irish media sector through her current role as CEO of NewsBrands Ireland while her international experience includes senior public relations and marketing roles in the UK and South Africa. She is a member of the board of News Media Europe and holds a degree in psychology from UCD.
Clare Mulcahy, Senior Consumer Protection Manager at Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), meanwhile, has over 20 years’ experience on consumer protection regulation issues and is currently responsible for the team that deals with escalated consumer queries both in Ireland and in the EU, working alongside her European counterparts to ensure effective application of consumer protection legislation. She holds a degree in Law from Trinity College, a Masters in International Business from UCD and an MBA from Trinity College.
The Complaints Committee is a completely independent arm of the ASAI and is responsible for considering and dealing with complaints submitted by the public, by a member of the ASAI, by a Government department or any other person or body of persons. The Committee is made up of a range of experts from the advertising, media, education, consumer and marketing sectors.
Five members were also re-elected to the board of the ASAI which include Colin Leahy, Exterion Media (Media Member), Johnny O’Hanlon, Local Ireland (Media Member), Kate O’Leary, Mindshare, (Agency Member) and Ken Kerr, BBDO Ireland, (Agency Member).
Charley Stoney, CEO of IAPI, who according to Orla Twomey, Chief Executive of the ASAI: “The ASAI benefits greatly from the combined knowledge and experience of all Board members across a number of key areas relevant to the work we do. The ASAI Board plays a crucial role in steering the direction of the organisation as well as drafting and implementing Code updates and amendments.”
“Ann-Marie’s proven experience across the Irish media landscape alongside Clare’s consumer expertise and insights will greatly enhance our mission in promoting the highest standards of marketing communications. Both appointments also demonstrate the high calibre of individual talent contributing to the ASAI’s Board and Independent Complaints Committee. On behalf of myself, our Chairman Sean O’Meara and the ASAI Board, we’d like to welcome Ann-Marie and Clare to the organisation and we very much look forward to working with them.”
