Tania Banotti has been appointed chief executive officer of the Institute of Advertising Practitioners of Ireland (IAPI) in place of Sean McCrave who retired last October. Banotti was chief executive of Theatre Forum Ireland since 2003 where she helped grow the organisation as the voice for the country’s performing arts.
Experienced as a lobbyist and media commentator, she will report to Aegis boss Liam McDonnell, the current president of IAPI. She will be tasked to increase IAPI’s profile within government, members, media and industry partners. Her background also includes the founding of Screen Producers Ireland (SPI), where she was chief executive, and the National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA), where she is still secretary.
Commenting on Banotti’s appointment, Liam McDonnell said the advertising and communications sector in Ireland is experiencing one of the most challenging periods ever. The appointment marks a change for IAPI members and the industry. “The IAPI board looked for someone with outstanding leadership credentials and who can credibly represent us,” McDonnell said. “We believe we have found this in Tania Banotti.”
McDonnell added that Banotti’s ability to create a common sense of purpose and shared goals among diverse stakeholders was key to her appointment. She studied politics and economics in TCD and undertook a masters in film and television in DCU. She is a daughter of former Fine Gael MEP, Mary Banotti and a niece of former FG government minister and TV3 presenter, Nora Owen. She takes up her new post in May.
