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Tag: ABBY Awards 2025

  • Goafest day two blends bold ideas, brand battles and billboard truths under the Goan sun

    Goafest day two blends bold ideas, brand battles and billboard truths under the Goan sun

    MUMBAI: The second day at Goafest 2025 closed on a power-packed note, stitching together the evolving face of leadership, storytelling, advertising, and digital strategy with candid charm and calculated insight.

    The post-lunch energy got a creative jolt with the session ‘WTF is Creative Leadership Now?’, where industry veterans Bobby Pawar, Sonal Dabral, Senthil Kumar and Lulu Raghavan broke down the evolving role of the CCO. “If you’re not in an agency where the CCO is central, you’re in the wrong one”, Bobby declared, dubbing the creative head the “instigator-in-chief”. Lulu called for reinstating the CCO as the creative spine, not a spreadsheet slave. Sonal framed the role as a bridge between brand vision and talent culture. Rohit Ohri summed it up: “The CCO today isn’t the loudest in the room but the one who builds safe, collaborative spaces”.

    Next, Amazon MX Player’s Karan Bedi spotlighted the streaming surge. With over 1.4 billion downloads and 250 million active users, MX is doubling down on drama, romance, and reality content across Amazon platforms. “Streaming video ads are outperforming other formats in brand recall”, Bedi noted, predicting digital video advertising will eclipse TV within a year. He laid out a full-funnel strategy integrating shopping signals, micro-dramas and show-based storytelling to help brands find their tribe.

    The attention then shifted outdoors in the IOAA-backed panel ‘The Last Unskippable Medium’. Times OOH’s Shekhar Narayanaswami noted, “You can’t swipe past a billboard”. Ajay Kakar called for killing the ‘digital vs non-digital’ binary. Promita Saha urged brands to go beyond metros, tapping cultural hotspots like melas. Sandeep Bommireddi argued that digital is a horizontal layer across all media. Dipankar Sanyal closed with a reminder: “OOH isn’t guesswork anymore. It’s data-backed, measurable and fiercely effective”.

    In a lighter yet no-nonsense fireside chat titled ‘Why So Serious?’, Gautam Gambhir disarmed the crowd with brutal honesty. “10,000 runs don’t matter. Match-winning moments define you”, he said. Speaking on leadership and legacy, Gambhir urged youth to make peace with mistakes: “If you take a decision with the right intent, it’s okay to be wrong”. His message: play for the common man, not the broadcaster.

    The storytelling baton passed to ‘Rewriting the Rules of Storytelling’ featuring Suniel Shetty and Deepak Dhar. Shetty spoke of action, discipline and emotional arcs. “Fitness isn’t just muscles, it’s sustainable health”, he said, describing Hunter Season 2 as more heart than hammer. Dhar unpacked Rise and Fall as a metaphorical hustle between privilege and grit. “Great content is built on process and passion”, he said.

    The day wound down with Wine & Cheese hosted by Amazon MX Player, followed by a musical showdown at ‘Advertising Rocks’, giving agency folks their moment to rock the mic. Delegates gathered for a breezy sundowner powered by Truecaller & Big Live before the night turned up with Abby Awards 2025. Set India, Sony Sab and Sharechat handed out honours in digital, design, PR, mobile, and broadcaster categories.

    Masterclasses by Shahad Anand (MediaKart), Sana Shaikh (Flipkart), Nick Eagleton (D&AD), and Senthil Kumar (VML) provided hands-on insights into next-gen ads, innovation pipelines, storytelling craft, and split-second narratives.

    As Goa’s salty breeze cooled the creative heat, day two proved that in a world of scrolls and skips, stories, strategy and serendipity still rule the game.

    Stay tuned as Goafest 2025 enters its final day. For the day three agenda, visit: https://www.goafest.com/goafest2025/event-schedule.php

  • Goafest 2025 kicks off with AI, stardom and Gen Z in a high-octane creative melting pot

    Goafest 2025 kicks off with AI, stardom and Gen Z in a high-octane creative melting pot

    GOA: : Goafest 2025 opened its gates with more than just confetti. On 21 May, the industry’s most awaited gathering lit up the Taj Cidade de Goa with provocations, predictions, and panels that sparked sharp thinking and bolder storytelling. The event, themed ‘Ignite ___’, kicked off with performances, power panels, and provocative conversations that challenged status quos and invited fresh perspectives.

    Hosted by The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC), GoaFest 2025 began with a ceremonial champagne pop, a lamp lighting, and a high-voltage performance by Mika Singh. Amazon MX Player, Mediakart, and other partners set the tone with a theme of momentum, celebration, and transformation.

    Publicis Groupe senior advisor Rishad Tobaccowala opened with a riveting session presented by Set India and Sab TV, titled ‘Staying Relevant in an Age of Machines’. Moderated by Publicis south Asia Anupriya Acharya, the keynote decoded AI’s future impact on creativity. Tobaccowala called AI “underhyped” and said the true differentiator will be “HI” — human ingenuity, intuition, and inventiveness. “Agencies must embrace AI to rethink storytelling and business models”, he warned, adding, “It’s time to burn the old ways of thinking and upgrade your mental operating system”.

    The spotlight then shifted to Hindi cinema royalty. Kareena Kapoor Khan took the stage in a session presented by Amazon MX Player and powered by Times Network. In conversation with Atika Farooqi, she reframed her iconic line “Main Apni Favourite Hoon” as a life philosophy. “Self-love is not just a phrase—it’s the foundation of everything”, she said, while speaking about motherhood, reinvention, and resilience in cinema.

    The final session of the day, ‘Swipe Right for Relevance’, tackled gen z brand affinity. Powered by Whisper World and Eenadu, and moderated by journalist Anuradha Sen Gupta, it featured Amarjit Singh Batra (Spotify), Geetika Mehta (Nivea India), and Vikram Mehra (Saregama). All three echoed the same beat: Gen z wants authenticity, not advertisements. Batra said, “More than 50 per cent of our audience is under 25. Gen z values experiences, honesty, and wellness”. Mehta added, “They’re not distracted, they’re discerning. Sustainability, purpose, and credibility are expectations, not bonuses”. Mehra called it straight: “They see through gimmicks. Micro-influencers and social listening trump celebrities.”

    AAAI president and GroupM south Asia CEO Prasanth Kumar, anchored the day, saying, “Goafest 2025 is about igniting transformative ideas. With 60+ speakers, 35+ sessions, and 20+ masterclasses, we’re not just discussing the future — we’re creating it”.

    The Abby Awards 2025 Powered by One Show saw 4,076 entries from 233 companies, marking its fourth year in collaboration with The One Show. The day wrapped with a sunset Sundowner powered by Truecaller & Big Live, followed by the Publisher & Media Abby awards, co-powered by Amazon MX Player, Mediakart, and Zee. DJ SLG and JioStar lit up the After Hours Party.

    Day one ended on a high, as Goafest reaffirmed its reputation as the pulse of India’s creative economy.

  • Abby Awards 2025: Round 1 shortlist unveiled, Leo Burnett and Enormous Brands lead the creative charge

    Abby Awards 2025: Round 1 shortlist unveiled, Leo Burnett and Enormous Brands lead the creative charge

    MUMBAI: The AdClub has revealed the Round 1 shortlist for the Abby Awards 2025, powered by One Show, with industry heavyweights Leo Burnett, Enormous Brands, FCB, VML, McCann, Famous Innovations, and Havas leading the charge in the creative categories.

    A star-studded lineup of creative powerhouses and brands has made the cut, including Good Morning Films, Tribes Communications, Atom Network, Cheil, Schbang, Mudra Max, Y&H, Grey Group, Hogarth Studios, Vanilla Films, Mindshare, BBH, and Tilt Brand Solutions.

     The client roster shines just as bright, with AIS, Jaguar, P&G Whisper, Manifest, The Times of India, Axis Bank, Coca-Cola, Finolex, Reliance General Insurance, Durex, Flipkart, Lays, and Dream11 all vying for glory.

    Digital dynamos like Schbang, BC Web Wise, Digitas, and Interactive Avenues have carved out their space, while design virtuosos Open Design, Hyphen Brands, and Tree Design have made their mark. 

    Video craft maestros—Good Morning Films, Vanilla Films, Bang Bang, Kitchen Video, and Superfly Films—add a cinematic edge to the shortlist.

    The broadcast and publishing giants aren’t left behind, with Bennett Coleman, ABP, Jagran Prakashan, Viacom, Star India, The Hindu Group, and Zee Entertainment staking their claim for the trophy. 

    Start-up agencies like Y&H, tgthr, Brave, and Believe Trinity have also entered the spotlight, proving that fresh talent can compete with the best.

    Awards governing council chairman Ajay Kakar expressed his delight: “The shortlist for the Abby Awards 2025—across both creative and media categories—is now out. It’s heartening to see the breadth and diversity of agencies, clients, brands, publishers, and broadcasters who have made it through the first round of rigorous jury evaluation. This wide representation is a reflection of the vibrancy and depth of talent in our industry. With the second and third rounds of judging ahead, we now look forward to seeing the best rise to the top. All roads lead to the awards nights between 21 and 23 May.”

    The round 2 and round 3 judging are already underway, with the final winners set to be crowned at the much-anticipated Goafest 2025.

  • Abby Awards ropes in Francesco Poletti to judge young creative mavericks

    Abby Awards ropes in Francesco Poletti to judge young creative mavericks

    MUMBAI: The Ad Club has brought Italian flair to Goafest 2025, appointing Le Pub Publicis Italy CCO Francesco Poletti as international jury chair for the Abby Awards powered by One Show. Poletti will oversee judging in the Young Maverick Abby category, promising an exciting touch of creativity seasoned with his signature boldness.

    Currently Le Pub Publicis Italy’s CCO, Poletti previously showcased his creative prowess at VMLY&R and Jung von Matt. His quick rise at VMLY&R to the CCO role within two years marked him as a standout creative force.

    Known for notable campaigns for global brands like Barilla, Heineken, and Netflix, Poletti’s award cabinet boasts multiple Cannes Lions, including Grand Prix wins, along with several coveted Pencils from D&AD and One Show. His iconic ‘Rocking Mamas’ campaign for Rolling Stone continues to resonate globally.

    The Abby Awards, a cornerstone of Goafest, India’s premier advertising festival, will run from 21-23 May 2025, at the plush Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon. This annual event is a joint effort by the Advertising Agencies Association of India and The Advertising Club.

    With Poletti leading the creative charge, Abby Awards 2025 promises to spotlight groundbreaking ideas from India’s freshest advertising talents.

  • Ad Club names Deshpande, Chakravarty, Kamble and Khazanchi as jury chairs for Abby Awards 2025

    Ad Club names Deshpande, Chakravarty, Kamble and Khazanchi as jury chairs for Abby Awards 2025

    MUMBAI: The adland gods are assembling—and they’ve got a brief to judge. The Advertising Club has unveiled a glittering lineup of jury chairs for the Abby Awards 2025 powered by One Show, naming four creative titans to lead key categories ahead of India’s most anticipated industry celebration at Goafest this May.

    The new jury cohort includes Ashwini Deshpande, Ashish Chakravarty, Raj Kamble, and Ashish Khazanchi—each a bonafide heavyweight with enough trophies to sink a conference table.

    Elephant co-founder & director Deshpande takes charge of the design category. A pioneering force in India’s design scene, Deshpande has spent 35 years building one of the country’s most respected independent design consultancies. With a résumé thicker than a Pantone swatch book, she’s judged Cannes Lions, The One Show, Spikes Asia, and LIA, among others. She currently serves on the jury for Singapore Good Design Awards 2025 and mentors start-ups via TiE.

    McCann Worldgroup executive director & India head of creative Chakravarty will lead the Audio jury. The man’s got over 500 awards under his belt—One Show, Cannes, Clio, D&AD, you name it—and has chaired or served on nearly every awards jury worth attending. Known for blending big ideas with brand precision, Chakravarty brings sonic sensibilities and sharp storytelling instincts to the panel.

    Out of home and ambient? That’s Kamble’s turf. Famous Innovations founder & CCO has made a career out of smashing boundaries—from Lowe London to BBDO New York to founding one of India’s most disruptive independent agencies. His awards shelf holds over 150 trophies including Cannes and One Show golds, and his agency has bagged South Asia Independent Agency of the Year nine times in a row. Now that’s a media buy with ROI.

    Enormous Brands managing partner & CCO Khazanchi takes charge of the Direct category. He’s the brain behind iconic brand launches like Tata Sky’s Jingalala and Lenskart’s first major campaigns, with over 300 national and 50 international awards to his name. Known for his sharp eye on consumer insight and startup flair, Khazanchi is no stranger to turning simple ideas into scaleable results.

    The Abby Awards 2025 powered by One Show will take place on 21–23 May at the Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon, as part of Goafest 2025—jointly hosted by the Advertising Agencies Association of India and The Advertising Club.

  • Abby Awards 2025 names Björn Ståhl and Youri Guerassimov as global jury chairs for creative clash

    Abby Awards 2025 names Björn Ståhl and Youri Guerassimov as global jury chairs for creative clash

    MUMBAI: Some festivals bring sun and sand. Goafest brings Grand Prix-winning creatives with awards baggage heavier than beach coolers.

    This year’s Abby Awards 2025 powered by One Show just pulled off a creative coup—roping in two of the ad world’s finest to chair its international jury.

    Grab your pens (or Apple Pencils): Björn Ståhl and Youri Guerassimov are headed to Goa, and the briefs better be brilliant.

    Announced on 15 April 2025, the 56 edition of the Abby Awards will see Uncommon Creative Studio, Stockholm CCO Ståhl chairing the Still Print category, while Marcel Paris CCO & CEO Guerassimov will preside over the Integrated category. With a combined award count that would make Don Draper blush, these two titans bring enough creative firepower to light up an entire awards season.

    Ståhl has racked up over 250 awards, including a Titanium and Grand Prix at Cannes and not one but two Black Pencils. Having spent 31 years in the business—19 of them at INGO where he turned the agency into one of Fast Company’s most innovative companies—Ståhl is now leading the creative charge at Uncommon Stockholm since January 2024. And yes, he’s judged Cannes and D&AD thrice each, because once clearly wasn’t enough.

    On the other side of Europe’s brilliance map sits Guerassimov—arguably one of France’s most decorated creatives of this generation. With 2 Cannes Lions Grand Prix, 3 D&AD Black Pencils, a One Show Green Pencil, and over 40 Cannes Lions under his belt, Youri’s trophy shelf is basically a hazard zone. His career began at CLM/BBDO in 2004, and alongside his long-time partner Gaetan du Peloux, he has created campaign gold for local and global brands alike.

    Entries for the Abbys are now open, featuring 24 Media categories and 23 Creative ones. Among the new additions this year are ‘Small Budget Big Impact’, ‘Sports Marketing’, and ‘Micro Marketing’ under the media section. It’s the kind of lineup that gives underdogs, outliers and niche geniuses a shot at gold—and maybe a selfie with the jury chairs.

    For details on how to submit, obsessively check www.Abbyawards.com.

    The awards will take place on 21–23 May 2025, at the plush Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon during Goafest—South Asia’s largest celebration of advertising, creativity, and beachside bragging rights. The festival is jointly hosted by The Advertising Club and the Advertising Agencies Association of India. If you haven’t booked your flight yet, now’s your cue.

    With this level of global creative clout on board, Abby Awards 2025 isn’t just levelling up—it’s playing in the big leagues with Cannes-calibre judges and south Asian swagger.

    Let the best ideas win (and the weak ones sweat).