TAMSIN SMITH, PRESIDENT, PRODUCT (RED)
Tamsin Smith became president of (RED) in March 2006, to help form a team and
organization to support the initiative launched by Bono and Bobby Shriver earlier that
year at the World Economic Forum in Davos. (RED) was created to raise awareness
and money for the Global Fund by teaming up with iconic global brands – including
Apple, Emporio Armani, Converse, Gap, Motorola, and American Express – to produce
specially branded products. A portion of profits from each (RED) item sold goes directly
to the Global Fund to invest in African AIDS programs, with a focus on women and
children -- $45 million has been generated thus far.
She brings to this role over fifteen years of work on economic development, political
engagement, and corporate social responsibility, with a deep focus on sub-Saharan
Africa. She is broadly recognized as a driving force behind the creation of trade ties with
the continent and a champion of building sustainable business opportunities for African
entrepreneurs and workers.
Prior to joining (RED), she shepherded Gap Inc.'s public policy strategy and engagement.
She joined Gap Inc. in 1997 to create and lead the company's government affairs
department. Before moving to California to represent the San Francisco-based
international specialty apparel retailer, she spent six years on Capitol Hill. During that
time, she served as senior legislative assistant to two members of the U.S. House of
Representatives and associate staff to the House Appropriations Committee. Ms. Smith
holds an M.A. in International Law and Diplomacy from Tufts University and a B.A. from
Kenyon College, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with highest honors in
English Literature. She is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society.
Ms. Smith lives in San Francisco with her son and daughter.
SAI PARANJPYE, INDIAN FILMMAKER
Sai Paranjpye is a well known writer-director, known for her contribution to Theater, T.V
and Cinema.
Sai comes from an illustrious family. Her Russian Father Youra Sleptzoff was a painter.
Her Maternal Grandfather Sir R.P. Paranjpye who brought her up, was a renowned
mathematician, India's first Sr. Wrangler ( Cambridge ) and India's first High
Commissioner to Australia. Shakuntala Paranjpye her Mother, was a writer and social
worker. She was India's first woman to propagate Family Planning when the very word
was taboo in polite society. She was awarded the Padmabhushan for her work in this
field.
Sai showed a remarkable imaginative streak from her early childhood. Her first book of
stories was published when she was eight years old. After graduation, she joined All
India Radio Pune as an announcer and was the popular compere of the Children's
Programme. She started the Children's Theatre movement in Pune. There was no
looking back after that. She subsequently joined Delhi Doordarshan as a Producer, and
was especially deputed from Delhi to produce the Inaugural Programme of Bombay
Doordarshan. She also did Theatre in a major way, writing and directing plays for both
adults and children in Marathi, Hindi and English.
Six of her books have won National / State Awards. Her latest children's play
'Rigmarole' is being published by Penguin Books shortly.
Sai has written and directed numerous films and documentaries, noted for their humour
and social content. Her film 'Chashme Badoor' was a trendsetting milestone in comedy.
Her other films include Saaz, Papeeha, Angootha Chhap, Katha and Disha. Her
Children's films are Jadooka Shankh, Sikandar, Bhago Bhoot, and Chakachak. Her
documentaries include the Helping Hand ( London ), Talking Books, Capt. Laxmi, Warna
Orchestra, Pankaj Mullick etc. 'Sparsh' won the National Award for the Best Hindi
Feature Film, Best Screenplay and Best Actor. 'Katha' won the National Award for the
Best Hindi Feature Film. 'Choodiyan' received the National Award as the Best
Documentary, with a social purpose.
Sai was a Producer with Delhi T.V, for a long time. She wrote and directed numerous
teleplays and teleserials which have been telecast over the National Network. She later
turned to making telefilms. 'The Little Tea Shop' won the Asian Broadcasting Union
Award at Teheran.
Sai is currently working on two Film Projects. 'Qisse' a feature film on HIV / AIDS ; and
'Khoon To Hona Hi Tha' a murder mystery which she has signed to make for the
Nadiadwala Production House.
MICHAEL COVER, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, OGILVY PUBLIC RELATIONS
WORLDWIDE
Michael brings twenty years of professional public affairs and health communications
experience to the Ogilvy team. Michael has led several large federal accounts, serving
as the Project Director for the National HIV Vaccine Awareness Campaign, a project of
the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and various projects for the
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, including the
communications efforts about the National Children’s Study. Michael brings his
knowledge of public health programs, his experience working with the media, and his
skill in building coalitions among diverse community-based organizations to provide
management support and creative solutions to the team and the clients.
Prior to joining Ogilvy, Michael served for five years as Associate Executive Director for
Public Affairs at Whitman-Walker Clinic, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected
HIV/AIDS healthcare institutions. As a part of the senior leadership team, Michael
managed the agency’s public affairs staff and strategy, positioning the Clinic with the
media and the public as a leader on health and social issues facing its constituencies.
Michael served on the National AIDS Communications Roundtable, and was a founding
member of the Federal AIDS Policy Partnership Convening Group.
Formerly a Vice President at Widmeyer Communications, Michael provided strategic
counsel and media relations services to the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S.
Department of Education, The National Institute for Literacy and the Education First
Alliance.
At the Peace Corps, Michael served as Associate Director for the Associate Volunteer
Program. Michael helped to develop the program in response to country requests for
more experienced volunteers to train medical professionals, teachers, veterinarians and
others for whom the two-an-a-half year commitment was too burdensome. Michael
traveled extensively in Africa and South America, meeting with ministry officials and
Peace Corps personnel to introduce the program and develop memoranda of
understanding.
Michael also served as the first Director of State Government Relations for the
Recording Industry Association of America during a time when the First Amendment
rights of the creative community were under assault by state legislators in 23 states.
Michael led a coalition of advocacy groups in defeating lyric labeling legislation,
compiling an impressive 100%-win record.
Michael’s public affairs background includes work as a legislative assistant to U.S.
Representative Dennis E. Eckart.