Nargis Wadia
India India
About
Education : SSC, Diploma from Sir J.J. School of Applied Art , Mumbai , Central School of Arts & Crafts, London (UK); specialization in : Communication and Designing. Career: 1954 in advertising as visaliser/ designer/ illustrator.1955-57, Designer/ Visualiser / illustrator in Air India’s in-house Studio; Won the prestigious CAG Award in 1958 for Air- India Poster on Paris.
1957-60: Worked in London in Advertising Agencies, 1960 : Returned to India. Worked at Lintas India for 3 yrs, 1963 :Started own Studio which expanded in 1964 to a full service agency. Inter Publicity Pvt. Ltd. In 1964, Nargis Wadia was the first woman to launch a full – service Advertising Agency in India.
During its 3 decades under her ownership, ‘Interpub’ was known for providing a fertile environment for young talent, who became top Advertising professionals! Interpub had many national brands as clients, on its roster and opened branches in Bangalore, Madras and Delhi to service them. During the 3 decades, ‘Interpub’ won over 70 AWARDS, in every category –press, film, radio, TV, pop, ‘Innovation in Media’, etc.
1976: Mrs. Wadia was unanimously elected as the President of AAA of I (Association of Advertising Agencies of India) – the first woman professional to be honoured by the premier Advertising body, During her tenure which coincided with the Emergency years, there was a considerable amount of grave issues being faced by the Advertising Industry which required skillful handling by the AAAI. In 1970, Mrs. Wadia toured South-East Asia and Australia to promote the 7th. Asian Advertising Conference –Ad Asia 1970 with spectacular results. Again in 1980, when India hosted 13th. AdAsia’80, Mrs. Wadia was again in charge of its highly successful International promotion. Over 300 delegates from ten countries attended.Mrs. Wadia was also a Founder Member & Chairperson of Media Monitoring Services which preceded the establishment of Media Research Users Council. Mrs. Wadia served for over a decade on ASCI – Advertising Standards Council of India. In 1991, Mrs. Wadia became President of The Press Guild of India.
After a successful run of 3 decades Mrs. Wadia sold her interest in Inter Publicity. 1994. However still wanting to play a meaningful role to bring up Indian Advertising Mrs. Wadia launched New World Strategies Pvt. Ltd. Under its banner, she launched training courses called ‘ADVENT-New World Course in Advertising, thus sharing her vast experience of motivating and training young persons to become top professionals. 1996, Mrs. Wadia was appointed as the first Secretary General of MRUC- Media Research Users Council.
Mrs. Wadia has been very active in several fields:-As Guest Lecturer, Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies; the Sir J.J. School of Arts. Director: Bombay Management Association; Chairperson of Women-in- Management Committee of BMA; Member : Awards Committee of BMA; Member: Exec Com, The Advertising Club and several Professional Committees ; Director Council of Fair Business Practice ( CFBP);Alumni of Leslie Sawhney Program; attended several national /international conferences ; Member / Director: Rotary Club of Bombay Mid- Town;
