Communication Consultancies Association of Turkey (İDA), the only representative of the companies in communications consultancy sector in Turkey and gathering 27 leading companies of the sector together, held its Ordinary General Assembly Meeting.

Istanbul, January, 2015 – Işıl Arıdağ (Ünite İletişim) has been elected as the new Board President of the Communication Consultancies Association of Turkey, the Turkey branch of the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO).

Dr. Arın Saydam (Bersay Communications), Emine Çubukçu (Ogilvy Public Relations), Esra Şengülen Ünsür (Artı), and Özge Uzun (Lobby PR) have been elected as the full members to the new Board of Directors of İDA.

Melek Manisalı (M3 Public Relations), Ufuk Çarşıbaşı (Communication Partner), Serhat Özkütükçü (Denove PR), Seda Yalçın (Weber Shandwick), and Mustafa Kaya (Lorbi Advertising) are selected as the reserve members to the Board of Directors.

The Supervisory Board is elected as Nihal Aydoğan (Medyaevi), Ertuğrul Kale (Greenactive), and Necla Zarakol (Zarakol). Members of the Ethical Board are elected as Barika Göncü (BG Communications), Cengiz Turhan (Grup 7), and Meral Saçkan (MPR). Meral Saçkan (MPR), Necla Zarakol (Zarakol), Cengiz Turhan (Grup7), Figen İsbir (Excel Communications), and Cem İlhan (Tribeca), former chairpeople of İDA, are elected for the Advisory Board.

President Işıl Arıdağ: “We aim for a healthy and sound ground for sustainable and efficient growth”

Işıl Arıdağ, the new President of the Communication Consultancies Association of Turkey, made the following statement to the members at the General Assembly meeting: “Our priority will be building a healthy and sound ground for our sector to maintain its earned position. Sustainable and efficient growth is only possible in a strong sector. Financial reinforcement means investing in our human resource, education, training and technology, increasing the service quality, and creating value for the shareholders, human resources, clients, media, and society.

We can see how large our effect on the economical and social development of Turkey is by the sum of all communication partner companies and brands. We must focus on our stake in this business success. This is the real value we create in addition to our total economical value and employment.

It is our duty to manage this strong environment correctly with an ethical and responsible understanding. Our reputation lies in our power. We believe we can achieve our goal only working with common sense and consistent cooperation. Regardless of full or reserve member, we have agreed to work together as the entire Board of Directors. The Advisory Board which is established this year is also our chance. Existence of the Ethical Board is of great value to us.

Our sector is an indispensable one in the world; its definition and value is known clearly, and it earns respect. In order to transform the existing potential in Turkey to energy in the shortest time possible, we will determine and implement the methods for healthy, sustainable and efficient growth together with our valuable stakeholders, including our human resources, clients, media, public authorities, academic circles and opinion leaders with a common understanding.”

2 important breakthroughs by the Communication Consultancies Association of Turkey (İDA)

Advisory and Ethical Boards are established

Aiming to improve the Public Relations and Communications Consultancy sector, increasing its reputation and service standards, the Communication Consultancies Association of Turkey has made an important change this year and established the Advisory Board consisting of the former presidents of İDA. Advisory Board will add value to the Board of Directors and its members with their experience, and ensure the continuity of valuable information.

İDA has also established an Ethical Board in order to raise awareness against unfair competition, informal activities and unethical acts in the sector. Adopting the Professional Ethics Principles since it was founded, İDA expects from the companies, who want to become a member, to sign the Professional Ethics Principles as a membership pact. This document has been adapted from the professional ethics principles and declarations adopted by the IPR, IPRA, CERP and ICCO, and aims to protect the professional values and reputation of İDA members and communications consultancy profession.