Tag: Goafest

GoaFest 2025: Amazing Indian Stories’ Vivek Anchalia unveils how AI is turning ‘what if’ into ‘what now.

MUMBAI: “AI isn’t coming for your job, it’s coming for your excuses,” quipped filmmaker and founder of Amazing Indian Stories, Vivek Anchalia, during his provocative keynote at Goa Fest 2025. Hosted at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon and moderated by Landor president APAC Lulu Raghavan, the session titled ‘How AI is Rewriting the Language of Visual Storytelling’ pulled no punches as it spotlighted how artificial intelligence is shaking up the storyboarding, scripting, and shooting process across the advertising and film industries.

Anchalia shared that AI has slashed production prep time from six hours to mere minutes, thanks to new tools like integrated production modules (IPM). Today, a single AI-generated slide can capture an actor’s look, lighting, costume, and setting—compressing what used to take a 100-slide deck into one.

One of the biggest breakthroughs? AI-generated spec ads that outshine traditional animatics in both narrative cohesion and visual clarity. It’s not about replacing the director—it’s about amplifying their vision. “AI lets you shoot in Paris without stepping out of Mumbai,” Anchalia joked, referring to the ability to simulate exotic drone shots for a fraction of the cost. His upcoming film, Naisha, is the ultimate proof-of-concept—everything from visuals to drone footage created with AI, with only the music left to human hands.

But even Anchalia isn’t all-in. He firmly stated that AI isn’t ready to replace human storytelling or emotional scoring, citing that while tools can handle generic effects like phone rings or car screeches, they falter in crafting soul-stirring background scores. For Naisha, human composers were non-negotiable. “AI can’t replicate a filmmaker’s rhythm Tarantino and Hirani don’t come out of code,” he said.

Cost savings may be dramatic (up to 90 per cent in some cases), but not absolute. Skilled AI artists now command premium rates, even if subscriptions to Midjourney, Runway, and Eleven Labs are dirt-cheap. Still, AI is making multi-campaign content creation viable for brands once boxed in by budget.

While creatives remain wary some even hostile business leaders are racing ahead. “James Cameron is already on the board of an AI company,” Anchalia pointed out, urging the industry to “stop being ostriches” and start exploring. His advice to learners? Ditch the fancy degrees. “YouTube is the new Harvard,” he declared. His own journey went from one successful AI image in 50 attempts to a solid 1 in 4 just through grit, Google, and global communities.

AI may reduce headcount, but agencies won’t be obsolete. Anchalia insists that strategic thinking, brand DNA, and cultural insight remain human territory. What AI does offer is better client persuasion data-backed visuals, real-time mock-ups, and faster pitch approval cycles.

As Lulu Raghavan aptly closed, “AI isn’t overhyped, it’s underhyped. Those who harness it now will define the future of storytelling.”

With the appetite for content exploding and the barriers to entry crumbling, the next blockbuster might just come from a bedroom laptop instead of a Bollywood backlot. The script is changing and AI is co-writing it.

May 23, 2025
Leo India and Mindshare tie for tech supremacy as Goafest gets techie

GOA: Day two of Goafest 2025 delivered a technological thriller as Leo India and Mindshare found themselves locked in a perfect 10-point tie for ‘technology specialist agency of the year’—proof that sometimes even the most sophisticated algorithms can’t pick a winner.

Leo India clinched its share of the crown with one silver and two merits, whilst Mindshare matched the tally with one silver and one bronze. It was the sort of neck-and-neck finish that would make a horse race look pedestrian.

The chasing pack managed eight points each. ^a t o m network secured third place with one bronze and two merits, whilst Cheil India, Enormous, Havas Life Mumbai, and Madison Media all bagged eight points courtesy of two bronzes each. Good Morning Films managed the same score with a single gold—which suggests that sometimes quality beats quantity, though not by much.

The middle order was positively stuffed with contenders. BBH Communications India private limited, Hyphen Brands, and Tagglabs Experiential each grabbed six points, with BBH and Tagglabs managing a silver apiece whilst Hyphen Brands settled for one bronze and one merit. Tribes Communication also hit six points, though it did it the hard way with three merits—the participation trophy approach to excellence.

The tail-enders weren’t entirely forgotten. FCB India and Interactive Avenues each scraped together four points with two merits apiece, whilst Hogarth Studios managed the same score with a single bronze. Grey Group and VML India brought up the rear with two points each, courtesy of one merit—hardly the stuff of technological revolution, but at least they showed up.

The Abby Creative Awards 2025, powered by The One Show, continued their relentless categorisation of excellence, with broadcaster, PR, digital specialist, design specialist, mobile specialist, and direct specialist awards ensuring that every conceivable advertising niche gets its moment in the sun.

(Pictures: Top: The Mindshare team, below: The Leo India team)

May 23, 2025
Gautam Gambhir bares it all at Goafest 2025: “Cricket is a part of my life, not my life”

MUMBAI: If there were any doubts about Gautam Gambhir being a straight shooter, they were obliterated in the opening minutes of his fireside chat at Goafest 2025. Titled “Why So Serious? The Making of Gautam Gambhir”, the session was anything but sombre. Moderated by CNN News18’s Anand Narasimhan, the hour-long conversation unpacked the mind of one of Indian cricket’s most intense figures—and revealed the grit behind the game face.

“10,000 runs are not important”, Gambhir asserted early on, dismissing the fetish for stats in favour of match-defining moments. “You don’t play for broadcasters or the media; you play for the common man”. That common man, he noted, has always been his ultimate judge, not press headlines or highlight reels.

Gambhir emphasised that public memory may be short, but for players, the work behind the scenes is lifelong. His mantra to aspiring cricketers and leaders: “It’s okay to make mistakes. Take decisions with conviction”.

The conversation took a personal turn as Gambhir spoke of his singular regret—not serving in the army. “If given a choice today, I would give up everything to join”, he said. That spirit, he added, defines both his approach to cricket and life. “I’m not into Bollywood, I’m not into corporates. I’m just here to win”.

Touching on his coaching stint, Gambhir credited India’s Champions Trophy win to the entire dressing room. “It wasn’t about me or the captain. Everyone contributed”.

When asked about his notorious intensity, he responded, “There is nothing wrong with having a game face. Cricket is a profession where only one side wins”.

On heated dressing room exchanges and media narratives, Gambhir remained stoic. “If it’s not personal, it ends on the field. Once the match is done, it’s dinner and back to normal”.

He admitted that India’s transition phase in red-ball cricket demands patience. “You can’t compare formats. Australia was tough, but so will England be. The key is to stay the course”.

On retirement, he recalled waking up one morning in 2018 and realising the fire was gone. “If you can’t be the best, it’s time to go. And once you go, don’t look back”.

Politics, he claimed, “just happened”. He entered with a desire to change things, but eventually returned to cricket. “Five years in politics taught me my peace lies on the pitch”.

His closing advice was aimed at India’s next generation of leaders: “If your intent is right, don’t fear failure. Lead from the front, be vulnerable, and never stop being honest”.

May 22, 2025
GoaFest 2025: Future Tense Rishad Tobaccowla urges leaders to rewrite the rules before AI does

GOA: Change sucks, but irrelevance sucks harder. With that disarming one-liner, author and Publicis Groupe senior advisor Rishad Tobaccowala had the GoaFest 2025 crowd hooked. In a sharp and soul-searching fireside chat with Publicis Groupe CEO of South Asia Anupriya Acharya Tobaccowala offered a crash course in survival and soul in an era increasingly dominated by algorithms, automation and AI anxieties.

Tobaccowala’s core thesis was clear: AI won’t replace you, someone using AI better will. But the real danger isn’t the technology, it’s complacency. “Too many companies are trying to use AI to make their broken models slightly more efficient,” he warned. “You don’t just want faster printing presses you want a new way to communicate entirely.”

To prove the point, he spotlighted the New York Times, a legacy media brand that reinvented itself from a print-first paper to a digital-first platform with 12 online subscribers for every print one. Today, 35 per cent of its revenue comes not from news, but from games, recipes, and other lifestyle content. “They don’t call themselves a newspaper anymore, they’re an entertainment brand with a news vertical,” he quipped.

Referencing Andy Grove’s classic Only the Paranoid Survive, Tobaccowala argued that the age of paranoia has passed. In its place? Dual thinking. “Successful companies must run two business models at once, one for today, and one for tomorrow,” he said.

His advice: Spend five to 10 per cent of your money and 20–25 per cent of your best talent building the future. “Don’t assign tomorrow’s strategy to the person you don’t know what to do with,” he warned. “That’s like watering your grandfather’s grave instead of feeding your kids.”

“I worked 37 years in one company, lived 45 years in the same city, and met my wife 53 years ago,” he said. “So when I say I hate change, I mean it. But irrelevance? That’s worse.”

He dismantled the sugar-coated corporate approach to transformation. “Telling people change is good is a lie. It’s painful. It makes you look stupid. It scrapes your knees like learning to ride a bike.” What works instead? A three-part formula: incentives, training, and personal relevance. “Tell employees what’s in it for them, not just what’s in it for the company,” he urged.

Tobaccowala didn’t mince words about leadership either. “We’ve entered the age of de-bossi-fication. Nobody wants a boss. They want a leader.”

Monitoring, allocating, and measuring won’t cut it anymore. Today’s leaders must inspire, create, and mentor. If you’re not spending at least 50 per cent of your time leading instead of managing, he warned, “you’ll be retired by machines or Gen Z sooner than you think.”

Tobaccowala also had sharp advice for younger professionals: “You’re in a 50-year career. Stop thinking in 6-month cycles.” He urged them to chase growth over glam, pick the right boss, and resist jumping ship just because the grass looks greener. “The grass is greener because it’s fertilised with… well, you know what,” he joked.

Despite all the AI hype, Tobaccowala believes the machines may help us rediscover what makes us human. In 2023, the most popular AI tools weren’t just about productivity, they were about relationships, purpose, and self-growth.

“AI will amplify your creativity, but it can’t replace your conviction,” he said. “It’s not about resisting AI. It’s about partnering with it without outsourcing your soul.”

As he signed off, Tobaccowala reminded the audience of something many forget. “India is not the future. It is the present. Publicis gets 65 per cent of its workforce and a growing chunk of its global revenue from India, China, and the US,” he noted. “You’re not a footnote. You’re a headline.”

He ended with a final, cheeky mic-drop about his book’s global release: “My publisher didn’t want to launch in India first. Said it wouldn’t sell. Now India is the only place it’s sold out twice.”

May 21, 2025
Wavemaker India & ABP ride crest of Creative & Publisher Abbys by One Show

GOA: One Show’s Abby Creative Awards 2025 has crowned its champions, and Wavemaker India has surfed to victory with a staggering haul. The media powerhouse dominated the agency battlefield, amassing an eye-watering 124 points through a medal collection that would make an Olympian blush—six golds, eight silvers and four bronzes.

In a ceremony held in Goa during Day one of the annual industry confab GoaFest 2025, the finest in advertising and marketing gathered to discover who had clinched advertising glory.

Mindshare India made a respectable splash, securing second position with 76 points through a balanced medal cabinet of four golds, four silvers and five bronzes. EssenceMediacom rounded out the podium with a modest 36 points.

The competition saw ABP Pvt Ltd emerge victorious in the publisher category, netting 30 points through a crafty combination of one gold, three silvers, one bronze and—perhaps most impressively—no requirements for a calculator to tally their score.

Bennett & Coleman, the venerable media house, strutted away with 28 points, while Jagran Prakashnan Ltd secured a neat 22 points with two golds but a notably barren bronze cabinet.

FCB India, despite having a worldwide reputation that could intimidate the competition, managed a humble 10 points, tying with TheHindu Group. Both proved that legacy doesn’t always translate to hardware.

The ceremony, powered by One Show, continues to be the advertising industry’s moment to preen, posture and occasionally be pleased that competitors are winning, delighted at the excellent work being rewarded.

May 21, 2025
“Goafest 2025 is our canvas; we want brands to be comfortable forging content partnerships on MX Player” – Amogh Dusad

MUMBAI: On the sun-kissed shores of Goafest 2025, amidst the creative chaos and infectious enthusiasm of India’s advertising aristocracy, Amazon MX Player made a splash—not merely as a passive sponsor but as an ingenious storyteller poised to rewrite the rulebook on how brands engage their audience. Content maestro Amogh Dusad, appearing as though he thrives solely on a potent cocktail of wit, charm, and industry savvy, laid bare exactly how Amazon MX Player plans to dazzle and delight the notoriously unpredictable advertising elite.
In this buzzing carnival of ideas and innovation, Indian Television Dot Com’s Sreeyom Sil gladly swapped leisurely sun-loungers for spirited verbal fencing, exchanging lively repartee with Amazon MX Player’s charismatic content wizard Dusad to unravel the secrets behind his devilishly clever content crusade. Below is a distillation of Dusad’s interview, served fresh in a brisk question-and-answer dossier. Excerpts:

How is Amazon MX Player positioning itself to impress India’s top advertising minds at Goafest?
We want to use this opportunity to talk about some of our upcoming tentpole shows. Also give them full comfort and trust on the kind of content that is on the service so that brands feel comfortable in deeper content partnerships.These forums build awareness around our upcoming slate. Our masterclass here offers brands a journey into our ecosystem—demonstrating seamless brand integrations in our narratives, ensuring advertisers feel confident forging deeper content partnerships.

Can you give a specific example of brand integration in Amazon MX Player’s content?
There’s a lot of brand integrations in LinkedIn in Jamnapaar, or Realme sponsored Hip Hop India. We’ve successfully embedded brands directly into storytelling. Unlike traditional TV, where ads often become ambient noise, OTT’s intimate viewing ensures audiences engage fully. Shows like Lock Upp and Campus Diaries seamlessly weave brand messages into compelling stories, amplified further through our social media.

Are there any new storytelling trends from Goafest influencing Amazon MX Player’s content?
The festival’s just begun, but we constantly reassess our content. The rapid popularity of hip-hop among India’s youth, for instance, inspired our show Hip Hop India, integrating subculture and music in an energetic format, demonstrating our commitment to riding cultural waves swiftly.

Has involvement in Goafest planning influenced your decision to double down on dubbed international content?
No videsi as a category. We’ve been programming for almost two to three years now. We’ve curated international hits, notably from East Asia, for a few years now. Our recent anime venture dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, a free-to-view innovation, was an independent, successful experiment reinforcing our strategic direction.

Any exclusive content reveals at Goafest 2025 from Amazon MX Player?
We will be screening the first episodes of popular returning franchise Half CA season 2 and new series Mitti: Ek Nayi Pehchaan, featuring Ishwak Singh. We will also be having a fireside chat featuring actor Sunil Shetty on the returning season of Hunter and insights from our upcoming unscripted show featuring Ashneer Grover will give attendees an exclusive taste.

How is Amazon MX Player leveraging Goafest as a testing ground for new ad formats?
Being the presenting sponsor gives us significant engagement opportunities. Through masterclasses and interactive sessions, we’re challenging the industry’s brightest to rethink brand storytelling beyond traditional paradigms. Our aim is bold yet simple: innovate or perish.

Reflecting on your role, how have your leadership decisions shaped Amazon MX Player?
My journey here has been immensely rewarding, producing over 20 returning franchises within just three years. Our next frontier? MX Fatafat, an innovative vertical short-form drama series with two minute episodes tailored to a thumb-scrolling audience, expected later this yea

May 21, 2025
GoaFest 2025: “I am my own favourite” – Kareena Kapoor Khan rewrites stardom with self love

MUMBAI: If loving yourself was an art form, Kareena Kapoor Khan could well hold the copyright. In a sparkling fireside session titled “Main Apni Favourite Hoon: Not Just a Line. A Mindset” at GoaFest 2025, Kareena proved that her iconic dialogue from Jab We Met wasn’t just script gold, it was a life mantra with staying power.

Interviewed by celebrity host Atika Farooqi at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon, the actress peeled back the layers on fame, family, and the fine print of self-worth.

“The line changed not just my career, but my life,” Kareena declared. Delivered 15 years ago, when ‘self-love’ wasn’t yet trending, it has since become a cultural rallying cry. “It’s a mindset, not a moment,” she said, explaining how the phrase empowered not just her but an entire generation of women to embrace their truth even if it meant standing alone.

Celebrating over 25 years in cinema, Kareena described her personal brand in two words: “Unapologetically herself.”

From iconic commercial blockbusters to gritty roles like Chameli, Dev, Omkara and more recently Jaane Jaan and The Buckingham Murders, she’s deliberately straddled both glamour and grit.

“If I can’t transform, I shouldn’t be doing this,” she said simply.

On longevity in showbiz, she boiled it down to a cocktail of talent, brave choices, and refusing to ride trends. “Success is not just about staying visible. It’s about staying true,” she mused.

Family life wasn’t left out either. Reflecting on her marriage with Saif Ali Khan and motherhood, she spoke candidly about the importance of mutual respect over sacrifice, calling Saif “a strong support structure.”

For Kareena, balance isn’t about keeping score; it’s about knowing when to step up and when to pause. “Work will come and go but the love you build at home is irreplaceable,” she said.

Asked whether she’d ever remake a Raj Kapoor classic, the answer was an emphatic no. “Some things are timeless. You don’t touch them, you preserve them,” she said, referring to her grandfather’s legendary legacy.
She also gave props to the changing cinema landscape. From OTT to regional crossover, Kareena’s game to learn new languages and new rules.

“Authenticity is the new glamour,” she said, crediting the likes of Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma for setting new performance benchmarks in today’s hyper-observant viewing culture.

What keeps her going? “Staying childlike. Staying curious. And yes being my own favourite,” she grinned.

From box office queen to boundary-pushing actor, Kareena’s session wasn’t just a rewind of her past, but a guidebook to staying relevant, radiant and real in a business that rarely forgives age, honesty or independence.

May 21, 2025
Goafest 2025 unveils power-packed speaker line-up

MUMBAI: Get ready to be dazzled – Goafest 2025 is back, and it’s pulling out all the stops. The 18th edition of South Asia’s largest creative festival has unveiled a star-studded line-up of speakers, featuring the sharpest creative and marketing minds from India and beyond. With the theme ‘Ignite ____’, this year’s festival is set to spark change, fuel collaborations, and unlock new growth avenues.

The speaker roster reads like a who’s who of the industry – Rishad Tobaccowala, Youri Guerassimov (Marcel), Prasoon Joshi, Amarjit Singh Batra (Spotify), Geetika Mehta (Nivea), Vikram Mehra (Saregama), Karan Bedi (Amazon MX Player), P.G. Aditiya (Talented), Tejas Apte (HUL), Ankit Desai (Marico), Shubhranshu Singh (Tata Motors), Rajeev Jain (DS Group), Ajay Kakar (Adani Group), Arjun Choudhary (Swiggy), Sanket Prakash Tulangekar (MMT), Pragya Bijalwan (Voltas), Kanika Anand (Airtel), Aruna Daryanani (Amazon MX Player), Darshana Shah (Aditya Birla Capital), Satya Raghavan (Google), Ajit Verghese (JioStar), Bobby Pawar, Sonal Dabral, Rathi Gangappa (Starcom), Rashmi Sehgal (Zenith), Lulu Raghwan (Landor), Rajdeepak Das (Publicis), Deepak Dhar (Banijay), Yash Chopra (Amazon MX Player), Biprorshee Das (WARC), Sujeet Kulkarni (Andersen), Karthi Marshan, Nisha Singhania (Infectious), Rubeena Singh, Shekhar Narayanaswami (Times Innovative), Sandeep Bommireddy (Adonmo) and Promita Saha (Karukrit).

Masterclass sessions at Goafest 2025 will feature a diverse set of industry leaders, including Nick Eagleton (D&AD), Senthil Kumar (VML), Vara Prasad (ITC), Krishnendu Dutta (Ipsos), Jayesh Moorjani (Google), Jayant Rajan (Meta), Gowthaman Ragothaman, Shahad Anand (Media Kart), Amogh Dusad, Anoop Menon (Meta), Debapriya Dutt (Earthday.org) and Karuna Singh (Earthday.org)

But that’s just the start. Bollywood bigwigs Kareena Kapoor Khan, Suniel Shetty, Jaideep Ahlawat, Vijay Varma, and cricket legend Gautam Gambhir will bring star power to the festival. And for those looking to party, Mika Singh’s live performance is set to bring the house down.

This year’s Goafest introduces the Goafest Village, a multi-stage experience featuring Advertising Plays, Advertising Rocks, and GoaFresh. The event will run from May 21 to 23 at Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon, Goa, co-hosted by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and the Advertising Club (TAC).

Publicis grouple south Asia CEO and immediate past president of AAAI Anupriya Acharya said, “This year, we’ve designed the festival in a manner that delivers conversations that matter. Every session has been thoughtfully curated to offer value, be it through fresh perspectives, actionable insights, or future-facing ideas. In an industry that is adapting to the fast-evolving pace, we are excited to present yet another power-packed edition of Goafest, further strengthening the platform’s position as one that encourages learning, meaningful exchange, and forward-thinking dialogue.”

Rohit Ohri, creative mentor for Goafest 2025, added, “Goafest has always stood for creativity that breaks boundaries. We’re spotlighting voices that inspire change. This year’s line-up is designed to ignite new possibilities. It’s about creativity that breaks boundaries.”

The festival promises to be a whirlwind of insights, entertainment, and networking – a must-attend for anyone in the world of creativity and marketing.

May 19, 2025
Abby Awards 2025 unveils power-packed jury chairs across key categories

MUMBAI: The Ad Club has revealed the first set of jury chairs for The Abby Awards 2025 powered by One Show, ahead of the grand showcase at Goafest 2025, taking place on 21–23 May at Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon.

Stepping into key jury roles this year are four of the most dynamic minds in Indian advertising: Rajdeepak Das, Senthil Kumar, Chandni Shah, and Anupama Ramaswamy.

Das to chair video film (under one minute) category

Publicis Groupe south Asia and Leo Burnett south Asia chief creative officer & chairman, Das is known for redefining creativity with a human-first lens. His award-winning campaigns from Whisper’s ‘The Missing Chapter’ (Grand Prix, SDG – Cannes Lions 2022) to Pepsico Lays Smart Farms (Grand Prix, Spikes Asia 2024) underline his commitment to impactful innovation. At Leo Burnett, he launched Apollo 11, a futuristic division powered by mutant creatives including aerospace engineers and data scientists.

Kumar to chair video film (over one minute) category

VML India chief creative officer, dubbed a ‘Lion Hunter’ by The Economic Times, Kumar is one of the most decorated creative minds in the country. With 27 Cannes Lions, 24 D&AD Pencils, and numerous other global honours, his vision has fuelled campaigns for brands like Wipro, Hero Motors, Tata Steel, and The Times of India. His storytelling extends to award-winning short films and documentaries, including A Salaam To Kalam and Save Our Sentinels.

Shah to chair mobile category

FCB Kinnect founder & COO, from child model to digital powerhouse, Shah has consistently broken moulds. At 32, she co-founded one of India’s most impactful digital agencies with over 600 Kinnectors. She’s been honoured by Campaign Asia-Pacific, Impact’s 50 Most Influential Women, and Agency Reporter’s SHE Awards. Her jury experience and global award-winning campaigns (Cannes Lions, D&AD, Clio) make her a force to reckon with.

Ramaswamy to chair diversity, equality & inclusion category

Havas Worldwide joint MD & chief creative officer, With over 25 years in advertising, Ramaswamy is known for campaigns that resonate with both purpose and power. From launching Ikea in India to winning Gold at Cannes, Clio, LIA, and Spikes, she’s delivered some of India’s most memorable brand moments. Her impact-driven campaigns for Reckitt, Fortis, Suzuki, and Maruti continue to set benchmarks.

April 8, 2025
Goafest 2025 returns to Goa with a bang

MUMBAI: South Asia’s biggest creative extravaganza, Goafest, is heading back to its spiritual home in Goa for its eighteenth edition. Organised by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC), Goafest 2025 will take place from 21 to 23 May at the Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon Goa. This year, the festival welcomes Amazon MX Player as its title sponsor.

A fresh twist awaits attendees with the debut of the ‘Goafest Village’—a dynamic, multi-venue experience packed with immersive engagements under one roof. Themed ‘Ignite _____’, the festival is set to spark game-changing discussions on creativity, brand evolution and consumer engagement.

Celebrated as the mecca of advertising, media and marketing, Goafest promises three action-packed days of learning, networking and inspiration. The Abby Awards Powered by One Show will once again take centre stage, honouring South Asia’s most outstanding creative minds.

GroupM South Asia CEO & AAAI president Prasanth Kumar said, “Goafest is a beacon of creativity and connection. Returning to Goa feels like coming home. ‘Ignite _____’ is more than a theme—it’s a call to action for bold ideas, groundbreaking conversations and visionary thinking. The Goafest Village concept will elevate networking, collaboration and the overall festival experience.”

TA president and group CEO of Havas India, south east and north Asia Rana Barua added: “Goafest is where ideas meet impact. This year, we aim to push creative boundaries further with ‘Ignite _____’. The AbbyY Awards Powered by One Show continue to be the gold standard of creative excellence, and this year’s edition will be nothing short of inspiring.”

Goafest 2025 organising committee chairman Jaideep Gandhi promised an even bigger spectacle, saying, “With new initiatives like Goafest Village, we are redefining engagement, learning and industry collaboration. Our mission is to propel India’s creative and marketing ecosystem onto the global stage.”

Havas Media Network India CEO and co-chair of the organising committee Mohit Joshi, added, “Tech, data and agility are rewriting advertising. At Goafest 2025, we’ll ignite powerful conversations that challenge norms and fuel ideas with real-world impact.”

“Goafest has always been a platform where the brightest minds in advertising, media, and marketing converge to exchange ideas and push creative boundaries. Bringing the festival back to Goa this year is about rekindling the energy and spirit that makes Goafest truly special. With a larger-than-ever scale, immersive experiences, and an inspiring lineup of industry leaders, Goafest 2025 will be a space where innovation meets opportunity. We are excited to welcome the entire industry to Goa for three days of learning, networking, and, most importantly, celebrating creativity. We also look forward to honoring the best minds in the industry with the Abby Awards Powered by One Show,” added Adani group corporate branding Ajay Kakar.

Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani, highlighted the synergy between the festival and the brand’s mission: “As a platform redefining entertainment and advertising, we’re thrilled to partner with Goafest 2025. The theme ‘Ignite _____’ aligns perfectly with our vision of pushing creative and content boundaries.”

Drawing over 2,000 industry professionals annually, Goafest 2025 is set to be bigger, bolder and more immersive than ever. Expect a melting pot of creativity, commerce and culture—all under the Goan sun.

March 17, 2025