Association of Advertising Producers suspends all shoots amid Coronavirus outbreak
A review meeting on 30th March will decide on whether to resume shoots or to continue quarantine measures
The Association of Advertising Producers (ASAP) and other industry bodies such as FWICE, IMPAA, WIPFA, IFTPC & IFTDA have unanimously decided to cancel all shoots from 19th to the 31st of March to curb the spread of coronavirus. ASAP representing 75 producer members responsible for 90 per cent of the advertising work in India held an emergency meeting on Sunday, 15th March. “This decision has been for the safety of all people working on sets,” Cyrus Pagdiwala, Executive Producer, Corcoise Films & Honorary General Secretary, ASAP confirmed with exchange4media.
A review meeting will be held by the bodies on 30th March and depending on the state of affairs, the body will plan whether to decide to resume shoots or continue the quarantine measures.
“We had requested the other industry associations on Sunday to not act immediately owing to the advertising ecosystem, which has more participants than just the production house. Hence, advertisers and agencies must be given a few days to wrap up their projects which may be in various stages of production and execution. Hence it was decided to shut down from Wednesday midnight. Having said this, the entire industry is now geared for a unilateral shut down from Wednesday midnight,” Pagdiwala revealed.
“The losses to our business will be gargantuan, but there is nothing more important than the lives of our colleagues,” he remarked. Pagdiwala also asserted that the losses to production companies and advertisers may be unprecedented depending on how long this shut down may last.
The ASAP is a body that engages with various stakeholders like advertisers, agencies, creative professionals, etc. to promote the interests of the Advertising Film Production industry in India.
The Coronavirus outbreak to date that has infected 157 countries.
