MERVYN KING RETIRES AS PRESIDENT OF THE ASA

13 SEPTEMBER 2012 – The Board of Directors of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) today announced, after its Annual General Meeting (AGM) that Prof Mervyn King SC will be retiring from the ASA, after 15 years of service as President, Chairperson for the Final Appeal Committee and Sponsorship Final Appeal Committee at the ASA. Like his predecessor, Judge Galgut, who also served for 15 years, Prof King’s involvement in the ASA will forever remain invaluable.

The Board also announced that Kate O’ Regan has been elected to succeed Prof King as President of the ASA. O’ Regan was one of the first judges of the South African Constitutional Court and has a strong background and profile within the South African law community. O’ Regan also served as the inaugural chairperson of the United Nations Internal Justice Council is a member of the World Bank’s Sanction Board.

Mr. Nkwenkwe Nkomo, Chairman of the ASA says, "Prof Mervyn King played a vital role in establishing the ASA into the internationally recognised and respected body it is today, and has served this institution, its constituency and stakeholders since 1997.  We have been honoured by his gracious and exceptionally professional involvement, serving as a beacon of integrity and knowledge in often very unpleasant circumstances. We are saddened by his departure as he dedicated many years to this cause, and our sincere and resounding thanks and appreciation for his diligent services can never truly be expressed in words, so for now, gratias multas will have to suffice.”

In his service to the ASA Judge King has written rulings which have resulted in the compilation of a body of jurisprudence for the advertising and marketing industries. The worth of his rulings has been evidenced by competitors seeking his rulings and those rulings being used in other jurisdictions as persuasive authority.
Nkomo added that “We are equally excited to have Judge Kate O’ Regan join the organisation. She brings with her expertise that will no doubt take the ASA to new heights.”
ENDS

About ASA
The Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (also known as the ASA) is an independent body set up and paid for by the marketing communication industry to ensure that its system of self-regulation works in the public interest. The ASA has a president independent from the industry.
For more information please contact:
Thembi Msibi
Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA)
Chief Executive Officer
011 781 2006
thembi@asasa.org.za

OR
Dudu Ramela
Account Manager
Ogilvy Public Relations
011 709 9616
duduzile.ramela@ogilvypr.co.za