Meet The Board (23/24)

Meet the charismatic Alann Lopez, the President of the 4A's! With over 23 years of experience as a communication specialist, Alann started his career at TBWA (formerly known as TAL) and has had stints at Dentsu, Masters DDB, LoweLDB, and even started his own outfit (5th Elephant) before returning to Omnicom Media Group, Sri Lanka (formerly known as TAL).

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Alann specialises in client management and has had the privilege to work on many local and international brands, such as Singer Sri Lanka, Taj Samudra, HSBC, and Singapore Airlines, to name a few. His impressive list of clients shows his extensive experience and skills in the industry.

 

But there's more to Alann than just work! He follows a simple theory of "I work to live, I don't live to work." Alann is always seen as a happy-go-lucky guy who loves partying and hanging out with friends. A sports lover at heart, Alann is a football and tennis craze and a hardcore fan of Liverpool and Rafa Nadal. He played tennis, hockey, and basketball for St. Benedict's College and Old Bens. Alann's got a bit of acting skills too, and he has represented his college in Inter School Shakespeare Drama Competitions.

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With his unique character and the perfect balance of "50% METHOD: 50% MADNESS," Alann is the perfect leader for the 4A's. Get ready to be inspired by this incredible individual!

Introducing Alvin (not the chipmunk) Gomesz, one of the two Vice Presidents of the 4A's! With over 25 years of industry experience, Alvin has left an indelible mark on every corner of the media world. From humble beginnings at David Pieris Motor Company to stints at Harris Ceylon Ltd and Alpha Industries, he found his true calling in advertising at Thompson Associates in 1997.

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Alvin's media-planning prowess led him to J. Walter Thompson, where he ultimately served as Business Director at Mindshare before being handpicked to spearhead Maxus in 2009. Under his leadership, the agency secured prestigious accounts like John Keells Holdings and Dialog Axiata.

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With a storied 17-year tenure at JWT / Mindshare / Maxus / Mediacom, Alvin has been instrumental in winning multiple awards, including a "Grand Prix" for Reborn's "Get Stolen" campaign and several Effies for Denta Toothbrushes and PABC's "Ran Aththama" campaign.

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Now at the helm of Mideation Integrated (Pvt) Ltd since December 2018, Alvin continues to make waves as CEO and Director. In his downtime, he's a skilled proofreader and calligrapher, with a passion for travel and capturing the world's beauty through his camera lens.

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Join us in celebrating Alvin, whose extraordinary talent and dedication is bound to elevate the 4A's and the advertising industry as a whole.

Say hello to Selo, the CEO of SHIFT Integrated, a local independent advertising agency in Sri Lanka, and one of the two Vice Presidents of the 4A's. With over 19 years of experience in the advertising industry, Selonica has earned accolades from her team, clients, global award shows, trade publications, and industry colleagues for her commitment to impactful work.
 

She's celebrated as a brand builder, leveraging her marcoms experience to create and strengthen brands in industries such as retail, banking, aviation, and FMCG. Selonica's portfolio of key clients across the years includes Nestle Lanka Brands, Coca-Cola, SriLankan Airlines, and P&G, among others.
 

Selonica started her advertising career at Leo Burnett Sri Lanka in 2004, and from a Brand Executive, she climbed the ladder to lead Publicis Sri Lanka as its Executive Director, shepherding a portfolio of some of the world’s best-loved brands until 2020. Her journey to the C-Suite has given her valuable insight into what makes brands and people tick and how they can be empowered to perform at their best.

Her impressive achievements have led to several awards and recognitions, including being feted for "Leadership Excellence in the Field of Advertising" at the Top 50 Professional and Career Women Awards organised by Women in Management - Sri Lanka. She was also recognized with "The Ranil" award, awarded to the staff member who upholds the gold standard in advertising set by the founder of Leo Burnett Sri Lanka, and named one of Campaign Asia's "Top 40 Women to Watch" for spearheading bold, culturally-relevant advertising that overachieves.
 

In 2019/2020, Selonica led the Jat-Petal Paint Campaign, which swept the boards at the world’s biggest advertising and creativity festivals. She was also recognized as a Star Reacher by Leo Burnett Worldwide in 2014.
 

Selonica's expertise and experience have led her to serve on the jury at Dragons of Asia Awards 2022, recognizing the best marketing campaigns in the APAC region, and will continue to serve on the jury in 2023 as well. With her impressive track record, Selonica is undoubtedly an invaluable member of the 4A's team.

Nathasha Martyn is a dynamic and accomplished professional who currently holds the position of General Secretary at the 4A's. With a wealth of experience in the advertising industry spanning over 12 years, 

 

Nathasha's journey in advertising began with a pivotal decision that showcased her determination and passion for the industry. Despite initially pursuing a degree in Biology, she made the courageous choice to switch gears and enter the world of advertising, a decision that would shape her successful career. Armed with her MBA from a prestigious European institution, Nathasha brings a unique blend of business acumen and creative thinking to her role as the Director of Brand Communications at Words Advertising.

 

Throughout her professional journey, Nathasha has been instrumental in managing key accounts for renowned brands, demonstrating her expertise in brand communications, client servicing, brand strategy, media strategy, and media analysis. Notable brands such as Nawaloka Hospitals, Unilever Sri Lanka, Godrej Household Products Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Sampath Bank PLC, Gamma Pizzakraft Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, People's Leasing & Finance PLC, and Nolimit have entrusted their advertising campaigns to Nathasha.

 

Beyond her professional achievements, Nathasha possesses a vibrant personality and diverse range of hobbies. When she's not immersed in the world of advertising, Nathasha finds solace in the virtual realm, indulging in her passion for playing Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB). Additionally, she has a penchant for captivating TV series and enjoys exploring the realms of comics and fantasy fiction.

 

Nathasha's outlook on life is encapsulated by her motto, "If there is a problem, there is a solution. Nothing is impossible; life is simple!" 

Her innovative thinking, extensive experience, and unwavering dedication make her an invaluable asset to the 4A's. 

Subodha is the founder chairman of Seven Media Group, A strategic Creative digital agency.  He plays the role of the strategic lead for key accounts at Seven. Prior to embarking on an entrepreneurial journey subodha was proudly working on the client side for American Express, And Unilever (UK). He is a fellow member of the Chartered institute of marketing, Fellow member of the chartered management institute and holds a Masters in Business Administration (UK). 

 

He is also a serial entrepreneur in various sectors including Financial Services, Tech and Trading. Subodha is co-founder of  of Remotico Australia, Intelica UAE, Interseed Switzerland. 

 

On the personal side he is an expressive christian who is known for his daily 5KM Run’s and always seen with his Dog “Deezel the Husky

Say hello to Chrishantha Jayasinghe, a Board Director and affectionately known as CJ, the "Growth Whisperer" of the 4As! CJ's passion for growth is contagious, whether he's helping brands gain market share, organisations inspire support, or people level up their knowledge and careers.

 

With three decades of Marcom experience, CJ leads the charge as Managing Director of Sarva Colombo, a strategic communications consultancy that delivers real results. But that's not all – he's also a Director of Mideation, Manthram, and PerPURSE Global, and a founding director of Enfection. Talk about a powerhouse!

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On the personal side, CJ is a doting dad to two lovely adult daughters, who (probably) adore his endless supply of dad jokes. When he's not inspiring growth, CJ seeks bliss by reading books beside rivers in Sri Lanka's lush jungles, where he recharges his batteries. A voracious reader and film buff, he's drawn to self-improvement, spirituality, mysticism, and fiction.

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And, of course, CJ's a foodie extraordinaire! If you're ever in Sri Lanka and craving culinary delights, he's your go-to guy. Join us in celebrating the multifaceted and ever-inspiring CJ, whose dedication to growth continues to propel the 4As to new heights.

Meet Wasaam Ismail, the ever-so-enthusiastic Board Director of the 4A's and CEO of Loops Integrated. He has been instrumental in steering the creative-led integrated marketing communications agency toward recognition for creative and digital excellence through numerous awards.

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With over 17 years of experience in marketing, business strategy, and management, Wasaam has honed his skills working with clients across various industries such as finance, FMCG, manufacturing, retail, telecom, and hospitality. He's also a corporate trainer and a Senior Lecturer at the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing, where he imparts his knowledge to students pursuing the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK) qualifications.

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Throughout his journey in marketing, he has worn several hats in the past, from being a designer and creative writer to working in client management and brand management on the client side.

Wasaam's academic achievements include a Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK), where he received a Sri Lanka Prize for Marketing Planning, and a Masters in Business Administration (AUS). But that's not all - Wasaam has also dabbled in the media industry as a freelance TV presenter for MTV Sports, a voicing artist, and a featured writer for Newswire.

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Wasaam was invited as a jury member for SLIM DIGIS and EFFIE Awards. He has also acted as an adjudicator for the Young Spikes Asia Competition, which is part of the prestigious Spikes Asia Festival of Creativity.

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But Wasaam's passion doesn't just end at marketing and academia. He has taken on several leading acting roles in stage theatre, directed and produced public performances, stage-managed, and handled various technical aspects such as lights, sounds, and front of house for stage shows. He has even directed for inter school competitions and judged drama competitions.

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But that's not all - Wasaam also likes to strum away at his guitar in his free time. He loves to travel, especially if it includes adventurous activities, and likes his weekly dose of badminton.

With his diverse talents and impressive achievements, Wasaam is undoubtedly an invaluable asset to the 4A's team.

Meet Dilshara Jayamanna, a dynamic force at the heart of the 4A's as a Board Director. Fondly known as "Dilly," he's been a fixture in the advertising world since 2003 and is currently the Chief Creative Officer of The MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka. With a keen eye for design, Dilly honed his skills at West Thames College London, studying Advertising & Graphic Design, and has just added an MBA to his impressive resume.​

 

A true renaissance man, Dilly spun funky house and RnB tunes as a DJ in England, gracing the decks at hotspots like Freedom, O Bar, and Atlantic. He's even brought his beats to NYE gigs in Maldives and Dubai! Before making his mark in advertising, Dilly made documentary TV at YATV and had a stint at Triad.​

 

In March 2023, made his debut in the movie industry, writing and directing his first feature film, "Yaaluwoda Yaaluida." And if you think that's all, think again! Dilly is also a sneaker aficionado, spending a little too much on his kicks, and a talented songwriter. Just Don’t let him sing. Anything.

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Join us in celebrating the multifaceted, ever-inspiring Dilshara "Dilly" Jayamanna, whose passion and creativity is sure to drive the 4A's forward.

Meet Varuni Jayasekera, the Client Service Director at Holmes Pollard and Stott, and a 4A's Board Director! Varuni stumbled upon her passion for advertising by pure accident and never looked back, switching from lawyer to ad(Wo)man in a snap.

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With over 20 years of experience in the advertising industry, Varuni has nailed the art of managing end-to-end requirements for big businesses. Her love for creativity and ability to delve deep into a brief has led to many successful campaigns for local and multinational brands like GlaxoSmithKline, Samsung, and Nestle.

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She's worked with some of the top advertising agencies like Holms Pollard & Stott, FCBKL.LK, Leo Burnett Sri Lanka, BBDO Lanka, Grant McCann Erickson, and Phoenix Ogilvy. Varuni's unique approach to problem-solving and in-depth understanding of the industry makes her the perfect asset to any organisation.

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When she's not creating brand campaigns, Varuni can be found exploring the natural beauty of Yala or Wilpattu with her trusty camera. With her love for photography and eye for detail, Varuni captures the essence of Sri Lanka's natural beauty in her spare time.

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As a 4A's Board Director, Varuni's expertise and experience will undoubtedly lead to a brighter, more exciting future for the advertising industry.

Say hello to Ahmed T. Hassan, the Chief Operating Officer at TBWA\SRI LANKA and a Board Director of the 4A's. With a wealth of experience, a friendly nature, and a 'never say die' attitude, Ahmed is undoubtedly a valuable member of the team.

Ahmed's impressive portfolio includes previous employment at Mullenlowe Sri Lanka, Mcube Dubai, Think Associates - Maldives, Lowe LDB, Triad, and Grant Mccann Erickson (Now Dentsu). His knowledge on building brands has stemmed from his experience throughout his career. Ahmed has led brand teams to create positive impacts on the local market with a multitude of Sri Lanka's best-loved brands.

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Ahmed holds a Master of Business Administration degree (Marketing) from the University of Bedfordshire (UK), a diploma in IT, and an 'A-Z in Client Servicing' from the Sri Lanka Professional Advertising and Creativity School, along with a Preliminary Certificate in Marketing from Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing.

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When he's not busy building brands, Ahmed enjoys a variety of hobbies, including cricket, rugby, cycling, travelling, music, and gaming. With his diverse interests and impressive career achievements, Ahmed is undoubtedly a valuable asset to the 4A's team.