The Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) and Astro today announced the 2011 recipient of its annual post-graduate scholarship award which is offered exclusively to 4As members.



The successful applicant, Mr. V. Nantha Kumar, Managing Director of Earth, Wind & Fire Advertising Sdn. Bhd., will pursue the Executive MBA in Creative Leadership with the Berlin School of Creative Leadership at Steinbeis University, Berlin, Germany.

The Executive MBA in Creative Leadership programme is founded on the primary premise of building a unique and global community of creative thought-leaders for every creative enterprise. It is based on five 2-week modules over a span of one year and is conducted in Berlin and other creative cities like New York, LA, Tokyo and Shanghai.

At the scholarship presentation ceremony, Encik Omar Shaari, Council Member of the 4As said, “This is Astro-4As second consecutive year of collaboration with the prestigious school.  We are extremely honoured to have the Berlin School of Creative Leadership to play host again to Mr. Nantha Kumar, our second recipient of this scholarship”.

“Our first recipient, Mr. Gavin Hoh of McCann Erickson, who is currently doing the US module in New York, is well on his way to completing the Executive MBA programme in November this year,” said En. Omar.

Upon receiving the scholarship for 2011, Mr. Nantha Kumar remarked, “This award is testimony to the commitment of 4A’s Council to facilitate knowledge management within the Malaysian advertising industry.”

“It is also proof that the 4A’s is not just a club for larger multinational agencies, since it also recognizes the role of small and medium-sized agencies”, he added.

President of the Berlin School of Creative Leadership, Mr. Michael Conrad, expresses his pleasure on the continuing collaboration and the participation of Mr. Nantha Kumar in the programme.

“It is an honour and a privilege to offer this scholarship again in conjunction with Astro and 4As Malaysia. Having had a very positive experience with Gavin Hoh, last year’s scholarship winner, we are excited to welcome Nantha to Berlin in March.”

Mr. Conrad then adds, “We strongly believe that the existence of this special scholarship offers distinct value for helping to raise industry standards in Malaysia and around the world.”

The scholarship package is valued at RM300,000 (EURO 60,000) and covers the full fees and a stipend for expenses. As part of the programme, Mr. Nantha Kumar is expected to submit a thesis and upon completion, he will be required to remain within the advertising industry for a period of 3 years.