Continuing our “The United Nations of IAA” campaign, we are thrilled to introduce Simon Whitehead, IAA President for South Africa and Senior Business Director at Teads. As a leader driving commercial growth for Teads in Sub-Saharan Africa, Simon is passionate about using innovation and responsible advertising to deliver impactful business outcomes while shaping a better future for the industry.
In his interview, Simon reflects on the IAA’s role as a global hub for innovation, learning, and collaboration, and how its values resonate deeply with his belief in marketing’s power to contribute to societal growth. He also shares fond memories of PAC at Oxford—a defining moment in his career that exemplified the creativity, competitiveness, and camaraderie of the IAA community.
IAA: What do you do?
Whitehead: I lead all the commercial growth for Teads Sub Saharan Africa markets. The foundation of everything I do is to deliver on pure business outcomes from brand safe trusted media partners all over the world and on every screen. I love how engagements are harnessed from beautiful creative fueled by powerful data built for the future and to lead advertising responsibly for all.
IAA: Why did you join the IAA?
Whitehead: At the time I joined the IAA, I did so mainly because; everyone of my peers joined. I very quickly realized the IAA was more than a network of “contacts”. IAA is the global organization and a gateway to sustaining innovation, an always evolving hub of business leadership to learn from, an organization relentlessly dedicated to being better, to train all levels of the marketing profession and my life partner for my career.
IAA: Which IAA value is closest to your heart and why?
Whitehead: I think the IAA values: “emphasize economic importance of marketing activities” speak closest to my heart. More so than ever before a brand now has to be a contributor to its environment and aid the societal fabric in which it operates. Consumers and audiences seek and advocate authenticity in marketing like never before and this in turn mandates that marketing is more than a tool to grow a business’s bottom line, but a means to build a tangible better future.
IAA: What is your favorite example of IAA serving the marketing communications community?
Whitehead: I think I speak on behalf of many IAA members from the UK, but for me, the favorite will always be PAC at Oxford. PAC was a defining summer. A moment when I belonged in an industry that exuded creativity, innovation, and healthy competitiveness. Lifetime friendships were forged and all under a beacon of the IAA that really wants you and your marketing sector to shine.