'Unethical practices' in the Arab advertising industry are the target of a new campaign by the International Advertising Association (IAA). The association hopes to address malpractice in the industry by issuing a series of guidelines. According to Lance de Masi, the president of the UAE chapter of the IAA, there are problems with both agencies and their clients. "When clients call pitches, and invite 24 agencies to participate, and then no one gets the business, that's an example of something that is wrong.

Business 24|7 reports that following this year’s Dubai Lynx event, which saw a 35% drop in participation yet still attracted over 1300 entries, it has been noticed that there is somewhat of a gap between advertising work presented at festivals and that seen on TV or in magazines, and that some of the work viewed was not familiar to the audience. Speaking to Emirates Business, Lance De Masi, President of the International Advertising Association (IAA), UAE Chapter, expected creativity in the region to achieve international standards in three to five years.

The UAE Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) is set to launch the professional development series in marketing communications, designed to help develop wider skills for mid-level communications executives. Running from March to September 2010, the educational series will aim at developing knowledge and building experience among media planners, buyers, account handlers and creatives.

The release of the new corporate identity coincided with the IAA's Executive Committee and Board of Directors meeting in Cannes at the end of June. The IAA re-branding project includes all communications platforms including the re-launch of its website.