R K Swamy 1922 - 2003 R K Swamy was one of the early icons of Indian Advertising. He was that unusual advertising professional coming from a very humble background. His break into the world of advertising happened when he was given a temporary posting at JWT Eastern Limited as a translator from English to Gujarati in 1940 and from then on, there was no looking back for this man of principles and unquestionable integrity. He set up the Chennai branch of JWT in 1955 and then built the Southern operations as the most vibrant and profitable one. His visionary approach and his ability to convince Public Sector Organisations to embrace advertising in a big way grew the industry manifold. In 1973 he set up R K Swamy Advertising which has today grown into an Indian majority owned largest integrated marketing services group. MMA is privileged to bring this Annual Memorial Lecture in his name to remind ourselves of his pioneering spirit.