Advertising industry has key role

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state is witnessing resurgence in the industrial and commercial sectors and the advertising industry here has a great role to play in the development of the sectors, said Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty. Speaking after inaugurating the public meeting as part of the 21st anniversary celebrations of the Kerala Advertising Industries Association (KAIA) here on Wednesday, the  minister said that the government would offer all necessary help to the industry. He also promised to look into the demands in the memorandum submitted by the KAIA. Indian Outdoor Advertising Association chairman Noomi Mehta, who presided over the function, said that the outdoor advertising sector should be declared as an industry. He also exhorted the members in the state to join the national association.Shashi Tharoor MP, in his key-note address, called on the industry to wake up to the challenges posed by internet. “IT and internet will have a greater role in the days to come and the advertising agencies have to exploit the potential of the new medium for their survival,” he said.  Former Union Minister O Rajagopal offered felicitation and inaugurated the distribution of ID cards to members. KAIA state president C Chandramohanan welcomed the gathering. Transport and Devaswom Minister V S Sivakumar, District Panchayat member B Rajendran and Socialist Janata district president Charupara Ravi spoke at the function. KAIA state general secretary K Varghese Thomas paid a vote of thanks.Earlier, the KAIA delegates meet was inaugurated by Noomi Mehta. KSSIA state president V K C Mammad Koya inaugurated the meeting and KSSIA state secretary Damodar Avanoor delivered the key-note address.  KAIA state vice-president A Bhaskaran welcomed the gathering and state president C  Chandramohanan presided over the meeting.