MxMIndia

Category: SPECIALS

  • MxMIndia kicks off its countdown to Goafest 2012 with an interview with the organising committee chair

    10 Days to Go-Goafest! It’s all about celebrating ideas: Arvind Sharma

     

    As the countdown begins for Goafest 2012, Arvind Sharma, Chairman Goafest 2012 and Chairman, India Sub-continent, Leo Burnett, speaks to MxMIndia’s Tuhina Anand on the festival this year and why it is truly the celebration of creativity at its best.

     

    What can one expect from Goafest 2012? How will it different from last year?

    The Festival will stay true to its fundamental vision. It is a platform for celebrating creativity and a source of inspiration. Most importantly for the entire fraternity comprising young and not-so-young, Goafest is the preparatory ground for the industry to gauge where and how to go forward. I feel that the core, sometimes, is forgotten in the bid to do something new.

     

    I mean, we live in a world which is changing rapidly, so having something new is inevitable. If you look at successful festivals around the world 90 per cent remain the same. Similarly, at Goafest, we have defined categories and 95 per cent remain the same in terms of predictability of entering, judging, Awards Governing Council and Goafest Committee. There is consistency in that format and our effort of providing conversations. All this is same as what one had last year.

    Having said that about the predictability factor, let me also add that moving forward is equally important.

     

    So, what’s new?

    This year we are looking at ways to involve clients in a meaningful way. The fact is that, there would be no advertising if there were no clients. The business of advertising is about partnering with the marketers. We, at Goafest, believe in evolving vision that doesn’t really mean evolving identically, but in evolving together. We look at bringing in more opportunity for conversations and that’s the reason why we have brought clients this time into the seminar.

     

    There is a slight change in the format. So far, there have been series of international speakers, while some of these presentations have been received well, some weren’t, and there have been questions on the relevance of those to India. Changing that, we have brought in senior Indian clients to raise questions after the presentation. So there will be 30-35 minutes for the speaker followed by 10-15 minutes of Q&A led by a senior Indian client. He or she will be the voice and mind of the audience and bring in the Indian perspective to the entire presentation by agreeing, challenging, bringing contextual light and interpreting the whole presentation.

     

    We have also brought the Marketing Wizards to Goafest. This is calling the under-30 staff of the marketing community. We have had a good response and we expect overall 70 to 80 major advertisers to participate, which include team of two people representing to some even registering team of 30 people even though we have a limit to numbers.

     

    Why this whole idea of bringing in Grand Prix to all verticals?

    Grand Prix, traditionally, has been awarded in Print, TV and Integrated. This year, we have expanded the Grand Prix to cover all the 9 verticals. This was not an easy decision and the step was debated. We believe that the time has come for specialists in area to move to the centrestage. I don’t really know if the jury will find works worthy enough for Grand Prix in each of the vertical, but this would help in finding worthy advertising and celebrating it around India and even around the world.

     

    For a young designer who is always on the periphery of an agency, winning gold is good but winning the GrandPrix might help in moving the same person to leadership position. We hope that the move will catalyze long term fundament change in the way we create advertising.

     

    We hear this year there are entries from other South Asian countries?

    Yes, we have entries from Sri Lanka and Pakistan and we will have delegates from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. In South Asia, we have different cultures but there are more similarities than differences within those cultures and we can learn a lot from each other. Unfortunately, the politics of the subcontinent is more difficult. We had planned a road show in various countries but our passports got stuck and this could not happen.

     

    Can you throw some light on the conclave and the seminar?

    We have put together an enviable list of names and these are speakers who really are worthy of listening. Jean-Yves Naouri, COO Publicis Group spends almost 150 days in flight. He knows what is happening in the business around the world and will share his valuable insight. Tim Love has been involved with theCannesand he played important role in the shaping of the future of Omnicom Group. Jonathon Mildenhall, VP of Global Advertising Strategy and Creative Excellence, CocaCola promises to be stimulating session. Steven King, CEO, ZenithOptimedia will also be on panel. Anuradha Sengupta, who loves throwing challenge, will be part of the session.

     

    On the seminar speakers, Amir Kassaei, Chief Creative Officer, DDB Worldwide, Rishad Tobaccowala, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, VivaKi and Prof John Philip Jones, Emeritus Professor at the Newhouse School of Public Communications,Syracuse University,New Yorkwill be speakers. While the world is talking video as the future, Lucas Watson, Vice President, Global Sales and Industry Marketing, YouTube will tell us how and Simon Wardle, Chief Strategy Officer, Octagon will be worth listening to for all the planners in the industry. Erik Vervroegen, International Creative Director, Publicis Worldwide will give his take on creativity. We will announce one more name in this list soon. From the Indian marketers side who will be part of Q&A, we have Sanjay Behl from Reliance, Kainaz Gazder from P&G, Viral Oza from Nokia, Gayatri Yadav from Star India and Hemant Bakshi from Unilever.

     

    Awards have been under the scanner, do the controversies surrounding it mar the event in anyway?

    Awards show will have criticism. What is driving us is the celebration of creativity and look at this Fest as a platform to prepare ourselves for the way industry will go forward.

     

    Why did the Goafest Committee decide the theme – Magic of Ideas?

    Everything that happens at festivals is ideas. While advances in technology and database is important, but what we celebrate is ideas. If we add everything on an excel sheet, we will see that when a brand gets a lot of traction or if it is ignored, it is all to do with ideas. No client launches a product with the intention of not succeeding, so getting it right is important. For a product to be embraced, it has to connect with people and this cannot be reduced to a formula but has to do with the magic of ideas.

     

    The awards have been leaked in the past, losing some of its credibility, how do you ensure that this doesn’t happen this year?

    We believe that awards will not be leaked. In this, the media as well as the organizers have a role to play. There is a symbiotic relation. We do our best to avoid any such incident. Some information has to be shared with the media beforehand, but there is an embargo on release information and last year journalistic fraternity showed a sense of responsibility. I will add that the media has equally a big stake in the Fest.

     

    What will you say to the agencies that have decided to stay away from the fest?

    Whether to participate or not is an agency’s decision. We on our part, including the AGC, have been ensuring that our job that includes category, rules, audit and the jury does their job well. Let creative minds debate as for us touch wood, thing are going as per planned.

     

    If you have to send a formal invite to the industry for the Fest what would you say as to why must the fraternity attend?

    You will get to see the best of work and see the best creative minds judging what they think is worthy of awards. You get to interact with seniors and bright creative minds which many times is impossible in the busy schedules that we lead. Besides you will get to hear exceptional speakers’ line-up.

     

    Goafest creates the space for debate with peers and youngsters, which includes large group discussions and one-on-one interaction. We are expecting around 2,500 people to attend Goafest this year. Not to forget that Goafest is not heavy-handed like training sessions but good learning place where you also have loads of fun.

     

    Personally for you, how has it been plugging all the gaps before the festival?

    We have a very big team working across agencies. There is a sense of joy and shared sense of purpose to make Goafest a success. We are in it together and there still is a fair bit of work to be done. However, it’s been an enjoyable experience.

    Click here to view all Goafest 2012 stories

     

  • Once you've got your core competency (ability to conjure up fantastic ideas) and remarkable talent in place, follow the 5 commandments to become the Rajnikanth of advertising, Amod Dani style.

    The Anchor: 5 commandments for ad stardom

    By Amod Dani

     

    Some say stars are born. Others believe they are created. In advertising, however, stars are a result of both. Beautifully blended in a pressure cooker environment of tight deadlines, a dash of revealing briefs and a spoonful of client feedback.

     

    You must have it in you to become an Ad-guru, the zing, the X-factor, the mojo jojo. Call it what you may but this is the most important ingredient if you want to become an Advertising A-man.

     

    So once you’ve got your core competency (ability to conjure up fantastic ideas) and remarkable talent in place, follow the 5 commandments to become the Rajnikanth of advertising.

     

    And get ready to bask in the hot Goafest Sun, Don Draper style. Godspeed!

     

    #1 ‘P’seudonym

    What’s in a name, they ask? Everything. Take a look around at all the advertising biggies and you’ll see. The top guns have one thing in common: the letter ‘P’. According to Pandit Suryakumar, Onomsatics (the study of names) has played a significant role in determining the future of advertising in India. ‘P’ stands for Precision, Persistence, Perseverance, Positivity and above all Perfection. So ‘P’lease move over Ekta Kapoor, the days of ‘K’ are numbered. By the way how does ‘Pramod Dani’ sound? Naaah!

     

    #2 A.K.A

    Pops, Paddy, Balki, Aggie: A talent pool like that is truly unique. But what do all of them have in common? A nickname of course. Now that’s the second most important commandment.

     

    An alias, a shorter name or a unique nickname will truly put you in good stead for advertising stardom. But stay away from the names that your mother, grandmother and thousands of your relatives call you. Shontu, Monty, Bunty, Baby, Chotu, Bubbles, Pingoo and Vishambhar are not your ideal aliases. And yeah, do check for patents before you sign up for one.

     

    #3 Be the cover page

    Making a fashion statement plays a vital role in becoming an ad-star. So whether it is wearing all black or donning the latest top-hat, let your style be as unique as your work. Douse yourself into the pages of GQ or pester the daylights of your local darzi and dig out a style that defines you. From variations of facial hair to plain white shirts, from baldness to the badhti ka naam daadi look: ensure that you are a not just an ad-icon but also a style icon. Let caricature artists have a field day.

     

    #4 Bollywood, thy middle name

    Become a name frequented by the Khans and the Kapoors. Keep your feet on two rocks, one firmly placed in the ad-world, the other, nimble-footed, in B-town. Be associated with Bollywood in some way or the other. Music, Direction, Script writing, Screenplay, DOP, Spot, who cares, just make sure you are around a damn set. Flop movies or not, you being a part of Bollywood comes with a big plus: Dropping names!

     

    #5 Have your own Mnemonic

    Like the big brands they create, all the ad-biggies have their own unique Mnemonic. A brand property that is unique to their own personalities. From an exaggerated laughter to a short temper, from poignant hand gestures to exquisite catch phrases that remind you of your mother and sister, figure out what’s your Mnemonic.

     

    However this commandment comes with a big caution. At times, your Mnemonic might not be the one you’d really want as an Ad-star. So the next time you scratch your behind, burp vociferously or drive your finger into those nasal corridors, be careful, the peering eyes might just make that your Mnemonic. And not a pleasant one to say the least.

     

    And if the 5 commandments don’t help you become a star, then Sorry Mate. Kind of like my Pre-Happy April fool’s day. Not like you didn’t see it coming. As for all us mere mortals, it is back to the tried-and-tested mantra of simple hard work and passion. That’s how Piyush did it, that’s how Balki did it, that’s how Aggie did it and that’s how we must to do it.

     

    To be a star or not, well, only our stars will tell.

     

    Amod Dani is ECD, Leo Burnett.

    Click here to view all Goafest 2012 stories

     

  • The Lowe Lintas big boss freewheels with Anil Thakraney about Bs big and small, talent, and why he won't participate in the Abby

    Awards have no relevance to advtertising: Balki

     

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    It’s always fun meeting the big boss of Lowe Lintas. Since we have worked together before and since Balki is always forthright and politically incorrect, one is assured of an exciting but meaningful exchange. Here is he, speaking his mind on various issues. Movies, advertising, the challenges facing the industry, the kind of people he’d like to hire, and yes, about his continuing allergy to advertising awards.

     

    You have to respect the man for the wonderful work he’s been doing on both, the small and the large screen. And more so for being that rare individual in the ad world who has the balls to stand up for something he believes in.

     

    Still around in advertising? Shouldn’t you be busy making big films with Big B?

    I am making a movie a day, it’s the same thing. An idea is an idea whether it’s three hours or thirty seconds. The day I stop tripping on getting the high when one gets an idea, that’s the day I will stop. In fact, I haven’t done a film in the last two years, I have been caught up with Lowe Lintas. I do have an idea for a film which I will work on towards the end of this year.

     

    And it will back to Bachchan, I suppose.

    Not back to, WITH Bachchan. I haven’t gone away from him.

     

    What’s with the Bachchan fetish?

    When you work with the ultimate guy it becomes difficult to work with somebody else. He’s phenomenal. Such hunger and greed for performing at the age of 70… it’s truly inspirational. I can keep on making films with him for the rest of my life.

     

    Are you a fan of Abhishek Bachchan too? His career isn’t going anywhere.

    Actually I found his performance in ‘Paa’ the best. It was the most difficult role. I think his problem is more the choice of films rather than the quality of his acting. He’s got his niche, he’s very good at certain things. He’s also a good friend.

     

    So that’s why you keep using him in the IDEA commercials, often when he’s not even needed.

    He’s a better friend of IDEA than he’s of mine. I didn’t choose him, IDEA chose Abhishek.

     

    What are the learnings from movies you’ve taken to advertising?

    The biggest thing that happens when you come back from cinema to advertising is that you are even more impatient. Because cinema takes so much time to execute, you want to make the ads even faster. That’s the reason I like making ads. You make them fast and you move on. There’s an idea a day, and that’s an addiction which is difficult to escape.

     

    Your wife’s directing ‘English Vinglish’. Are you the producer? And what’s it about?

    Rakesh Jhunjhunwala has co-produced it with me, along with another investor. It’s about the insecurities of a middle class woman who doesn’t know English in today’s context. It’s about how she overcomes the fear of English. It’s a very relevant issue to a lot of people in this country. In India, it’s money, fame and (knowledge of) English which determine the class and quality of a person.

     

    Let’s cut to Lowe. Are you still as hands-on as ever?

    I am. There’s so much of work, yaar. Today, Arun (Iyer) and Amer (Jaleel) have taken on a hell of a lot, they handle 50 percent of the business. My travel has come down but my ideation hasn’t. So yes, I am still involved in major things, I know what’s happening. This is not a profession where internal structures and motivations of the agency can dictate solutions for a client. The client comes to an agency for a solution and we have to get it, by hook or by crook. Gone are the days when creative directors would sit on a revolving chair and give motivational advice to people on how to crack things.

     

    Piyush Pandey said to me the reason he isn’t making movies is because he’s not bored of advertising.

    It’s about the number of things you can do, it has nothing to do with being bored of advertising. So maybe some people are capable of doing a lot more and some people are not.

     

    Significant changes you’ve observed in the ad world in recent times.

    It’s the same, in so far as it’s still a problem/solution business. What I find is that the clients today are hungrier for more interesting solutions. I find that clients don’t want to waste an idea. And because of the complexities of the marketing issues, the problem articulation is no longer simple. You can no longer say this is small, this is big or that is cheap. It’s about understanding the complexities and simplifying them. And I find that fewer and fewer people are able to do this. Therefore far more is expected of a creative person today than it ever was. The creative person is now seen as the solutions provider. Planning is now playing a big role in the articulation of the problem. Planners are now working more for the clients than for the agency. This shift is something I don’t quite agree with, but it’s happening. This situation requires more discipline, rigour and understanding from a creative person than ever before.

     

    And I guess this impacts your hiring policies.

    It impacts that hugely. The three Cannes Gold winners don’t make sense any more. Today a lot of senior creative people have to grow within the current system. So you hire junior people who are clever and intelligent and then groom them into the system of understanding problems. It’s very dangerous hiring very senior people from the outside. We went through a phase in advertising where we said we are losing our respect as an industry. That’s changed. Today the clients respect the advertising agency for providing solutions.

     

    Both, Prasoon Joshi and Piyush Pandey told me that the industry is losing talent. There seems to be too much pressure from clients, they no longer pamper creative people. And opportunities have opened up for agency personnel in other industries.

    I don’t agree with this. I actually think there’s never been a better time to be in advertising. You are no longer respected for your whacky ideas, being a maverick won’t get you any special respect. The problem isn’t that the industry is losing talent, the problem is it’s not attracting talent. It’s damn difficult to find talent to address today’s problems. In fact, today there are a lot of people in marketing who want to join advertising. Where we are not attracting the right talent is at the junior level. We as an industry haven’t been able to articulate what is the kind of people we want.

     

    As an old-world creative director, do you find yourself struggling with the new media?

    No. Clients want you do virals in the new media, but it’s still film. The video will never die, though the medium for broadcasting it may have changed. The production methodologies may also have changed. But the idea is the key to it all.

     

    You are not even on Twitter and Facebook. How will you ever understand the digital world?

    The reason I am not on it is that I don’t want the world to know what the fuck I am doing. That’s a personal choice, it has nothing to do with the new media. In fact, today if I am on Facebook, I am a fuddy duddy cock.

     

    The problem, Balki, is that all you uncles are obsessed with the TV commercial.

    I approach a problem very simply. There is a solution, and there is an idea. And if the solution demands a certain kind of medium, you use that. Nobody knew how to make films before or how to make a digital programme. So it’s all about expression. And you go into that particular medium and do it. I didn’t know how to shoot a film earlier, so I went to the experts to do it for me. I don’t watch television at all, but that doesn’t mean I am fuddy duddy on television.

     

    Small shops are springing up. People like Aggie are doing very well. Does that worry you?

    It’s always been happening. What do you think Mohammed Khan and Ravi Gupta did? If Ogilvy and JWT don’t worry me, then why should they? They are all competition. In fact, the more the merrier, it means more people are doing better ads, and that’s fantastic for the ad industry.

     

    Why are so many creative directors branching out on their own?

    In some cases they believe their talent is far superior to what a large agency can harness. The other reason is there are only so many people who can grow to a point in an agency. So it could be the frustration of not being able to grow beyond a point. They have to start their own thing to be what they want to be. The third thing of course is money. Some people want to be richer than what they are.

     

    Words of wisdom for young creative people.

    I think if you like sport, you should come to advertising. There is a hurdle to be crossed every day, there is a goal to be scored, there is a wicket to be taken, there are problems that come your way. It is like a game. The moment you start taking it too seriously, it’s very difficult to function in this business. A lot of things don’t make sense out here.

     

    Shashi Sinha tells me he’s cleaned up the GoaFest judging process. All the scams have been dealt with. But you still won’t take part.

    I believe the advertising industry needs credible awards. But how do you judge advertising? You say, ‘Haha, this is so funny! Oh, what a technique in this one!’ And based on that you award some ads. And two months later the agency loses the business. So obviously it doesn’t work. What the fuck are we doing in advertising? We are supposed to solve a problem interestingly. You are supposed to state the problem and the judges are supposed to ask if that ad could have solved that problem. I judged at Cannes once, and I refused to judge after that. I’ll give you an example of what happens: Those Coke print ads, where someone is sleeping under the shadow of Coca Cola bottles, has been hailed as the greatest piece of creativity. And then you have those great TVCs of Coke with Aamir Khan, which the nation loved, but which they (the Cannes jury) didn’t understand! This kind of judging has no relevance to what the purpose of advertising is. Basically the award show is a game and you play it. So it’s not about cleaning it up, I don’t value what you award.

     

    And you also have a problem with your peers doing the judging.

    Some of them I respect and some I don’t.

     

    So what sort of jury will satisfy you?

    Having some respected marketers on the jury would help. And some very good advertising people. Right now they ask anybody who’s free to come and judge, and that’s not the way to do it. You can’t choose people just because you want representation from various agencies. Thing is, before I give you a piece of work to be evaluated, before I give you the right to say if I am good or bad, I need to be assured you are a person who’s capable of telling me that. We need to first judge the judges.

     

    What disappoints you about the ad world?

    What pains me is the amount we try to market the barometers which decide who’s good and who’s bad in the Indian industry. The Gunn report, the Asian awards, etc, they tom-tom the barometers rather than the advertising itself. And all this has absolutely no relevance to what we do here. It’s time we found a barometer or an evaluation process that tells India which is a good agency. A method through which clients can credibly choose agencies beyond just the surveys and the awards. And this lack of a proper barometer has led to personality driven agencies. This propels a lot of false media management. PR for advertising people happens because of this.

     

    Why don’t YOU work on that barometer?

    Piyush Pandey and I have had many whiskies discussing this, but we only walk away promising that we should drink some more, and that’s about it. (Laughs.)

     

    Click here to view all Goafest 2012 stories

     

  • The Awards Governing Council of the Abby Awards at Goafest has announced its team of Jury Chairpersons for the Creative Abbies this year. This year, Goafest has received more than 4,250 entries for the Creative Abby awards. The judging process will commence in Mumbai from Saturday, March 24, 2012.

    Goafest 2012: Jury chairpersons announced for Creative Abby and Media Abby shortlists

    The Awards Governing Council of the Abby Awards at Goafest has announced its team of Jury Chairpersons for the Creative Abbies this year. This year, Goafest has received more than 4,250 entries for the Creative Abby awards. The judging process will commence in Mumbai from Saturday, March 24, 2012.

     

    The jury chairpersons for various categories include Agnello Dias, Chairman & Co-Founder TapRoot India for Integrated Advertising, Ravi Deshpande, National Creative Director, Contract Advertising for Films, KV Sridhar (Pops) National Creative Director, Leo Burnett for Print, Sonal Dabral, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, DDB Mudra for Outdoor Advertising, Abhjit Avasthi, National Creative Director, Ogilvy & Mather for Radio Advertising, KS Chakravarthy (Chax), National Creative Director, Draft FCB Ulka for Digital Advertising, Senthil Kumar, Executive Creative Director, JWT India and Chairman, JWT India Creative Council for Film Craft, Alok Nanda, Director Alok Nanda Communications for Design and Ashish Khazanchi, National Creative Director, Publicis Worldwide for Direct Advertising.

     

    Commenting on the Jury, Shashi Sinha, Chairman of the Awards Governing Council, said, “We are delighted to have such a remarkable line-up of Jury Chairpersons this year. All of them are creative stalwarts and I am pleased that they will be judging the Creative Abbies this year. The judging process will be transparent and fair. KPMG will be monitoring the judging procedure again this time.”

     

    This year, for the first time, Goafest is introducing Grand Prix Abbies for nine verticals.

     

    The shortlists for Media Abbies has also been announced. Goafest 2012 will be held at the Zuri White Sands in South Goa on April 20-21, 2012.

     

    BEST USE OF TV

     

    BEST USE OF CINEMA

     

    BEST USE OF NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES

     

    BEST USE OF OUTDOOR & AMBIENT MEDIA

     

    BEST USE OF SPECIAL EVENTS & STUNTS/LIVE ADVERTISING

     

    BEST USE OF RADIO

     

    BEST USE OF INTERNET AND DIGITAL MEDIA

     

    BEST USE OF SPONSORSHIP

     

    BEST USE OF BRANDED CONTENT

     

    BEST USE OF MIXED MEDIA

     

    BEST USE OF NEVER BEFORE USED MEDIA

     

    SPECIALIST CATEGORY- YOUTH MARKETING

     

    SPECIALIST CATEGORY- VERTICAL MARKETING

     

    SPECIALIST CATEGORY- PRO BONO MARKETING

    Click here to view all Goafest 2012 stories

     

  • The Goafest Committee has announced the names of three renowned speakers for Goafest 2012 Knowledge Seminars. Amir Kassaei, Rishad Tobaccowala and Prof John Philip Jones will impart their knowledge and expertise at the Goafest 2012 Knowledge Seminars on April 20 & 21.

    Amir Kassaei, Prof John Philip Jones & Rishad Tobaccowala to speak @ Goafest

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Goafest Committee has announced the names of three renowned speakers for Goafest 2012 Knowledge Seminars. Amir Kassaei, Chief Creative Officer, DDB Worldwide, Rishad Tobaccowala, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, VivaKi and Prof John Philip Jones, Emeritus Professor at the Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University, New York will impart their knowledge and expertise at the Goafest 2012 Knowledge Seminars to be held on April 20 and 21.

     

    Commenting on the exciting lineup of speakers for Goafest 2012 Knowledge Seminars, MG. Parameswaran, Member of GoaFest Committee said, “We have lined up a galaxy of globally renowned speakers with an interesting mix of creative, branding, digital and media experts for the Knowledge Seminar this year. We conducted a survey last year and realized that the young delegates wanted Goafest 2012 to cover all aspects of communication at our seminars. Hence we left no stone unturned to get the best speakers to enrich and enlighten young minds this year.”

     

    “To reiterate our promise of having a bigger and better Goafest 2012, we have brought the best minds from across the globe to be a part of the fest and engage in conversation through their thought provoking ideas and discussions. I am certain that these speakers will add immense value to our event,” added Arvind Sharma, Chairman, Goafest Organizing Committee.

     

    Amir Kassaei is the Chief Creative Officer DDB Worldwide and one of the most lauded creatives in the world. Born in Iran, raised in Austria, and educated in France, Amir settled in Germany in 1997, gaining experience early in his career in a variety of roles ranging from Account Manager to Strategic Planner to Art Director and Designer at agencies such as TBWA, Barci & Partner and Springer & Jacoby. At Springer & Jacoby, Amir advanced from Copywriter to Creative Director and finally to Executive Creative Director on the global Mercedes-Benz and smart accounts. In 2003, Amir joined DDB as Chief Creative Officer and Associate Partner of DDB Germany, where he quickly helped reshape the agency. After joining the agency as the youngest DDB Chief Creative Officer in Europe, he quickly transformed it into one of the most creative and successful agencies in Germany. Under Amir’s leadership, DDB Germany has also been ranked the most awarded German agency in the Gunn Report. During his tenure at DDB Germany, Amir founded and established Tribal DDB Germany as a modern and multichannel agency. Amir and his teams are the recipients of more than 2,000 national and international awards, including 40 Cannes Lions in the past five years.  He was named TheBig Won Report’s Top Chief Creative Officer” in 2009, and has been one of TheBig Won’sTop 3 Chief Creative Officers for each of the last three years.

     

    Rishad Tobaccowala helps guide strategy and serves as a catalyst to innovation efforts across Vivaki – a Publicis Groupe entity that combines the collective scale, clout and talent sitting inside of Denuo, Digitas, Razorfish, Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) and ZenithOptimedia. Working closely with brand CEOs and VivaKi Country Chairs, he helps VivaKi’s companies show clients the way forward in an exciting and changing time for marketing.

     

    Prof. John Philip Jones was born and educated in Britain and graduated with the Economics Tripos from Cambridge University (BA with Honors and MA). He spent twenty-seven years working in the advertising agency business, mainly in branches of the J. Walter Thompson Company in Europe and as a market researcher and manager of the advertising for major international clients. For eight years he was international account director on Unilever’s Lux Toilet Soap, the largest-selling bar soap in the world. He has also published sixteen books and 100 articles in professional and academic publications: all on branding, marketing and advertising.

     

    Goafest 2012 is being organized by AAAI and Ad Club Bombay in partnership for the 5th year. Over the years, specialist areas like Out of Home & Ambient, Design, Digital & Mobile Advertising, Direct, and Integrated Advertising have been growing in importance. In recognition of this phenomenon, in 2012, Abbies at Goafest will have provision for Grand Prix in all the nine verticals- the Grand Prix is being introduced in the media awards as well.

    Click here to view all Goafest 2012 stories

     

  • Present the ‘ASCI Mobile Movie Challenge’ to promote the idea of ‘Creativity with a Conscience’

    ASCI, Goafest come together on self-regulation

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Advertising Standard Council of India (ASCI), in a bid to encourage self regulation in Advertising, has announced its unique association with Goafest 2012. As a part of this partnership, ASCI will be a conducting a one-of-a-kind contest to promote responsible creativity, under the theme “Creativity with a Conscience” during Goafest 2012.

     

    The ASCI Mobile Movie Challenge contest, which is open for advertising, marketing and media professionals, revolves around creating short films using a mobile phone.  As per the contest, teams of 3 young professionals, under the age of 30 years, will be asked to create a short film (between 30 and 60 seconds), using their mobile handsets.  Each team will be assigned a mentor film-maker who can guide the team members on the nuances of film making. The teams will create the art forms on one of the four briefs provided by ASCI.

     

    The teams will create the art forms on the four tenets of ASCI’s code of self-regulation: Honesty & truthfulness in advertising; Decency in advertising as per generally accepted societal norms; Safety & avoiding exploitation of vulnerable sections of society, especially children; Fairness in competition.

     

    To register, one has to log onto http://www.ascionline.org/goafest2012/ and last date for registration is March 22.

     

    According to, Subhash Kamath, ASCI Board Member: “The theme ‘Creativity with a Conscience’ goes hand-in-hand with ASCI’s objective of responsible advertising. Our aim is to inspire professionals to abide by the guidelines set by ASCI and to take up self regulation on an individual level as the only other alternative is governmental censorship, which is, not desirable for a creative industry like ours.”

     

    He added: “By reaching out to young professionals, we’re ensuring that our efforts towards self regulation are understood by the people who will be implementing the work. Through this initiative, we want to instill the message in the mind of young professionals to always remember that with great creative power, comes greater responsibility.”

     

    These films will then be showcased at Goafest 2012 and will be uploaded on youtube.com and select online portals to inspire professionals to understand the importance of self-regulation in advertising. The entries will be judged by a jury of top creative directors and film makes of the industry.

     

    Four winning teams, one per brief, will be selected and each team member will be awarded during the Creative Abbys. Alongside, there will be a ‘Popular Choice’ award for the winner of a shortlisted best 16 film, which will be voted via SMS by over 3,000 participants at Goafest.

     

    Advertising Standards Council of India is a self regulatory voluntary organization of the advertising industry. The role and functioning of the ASCI and its Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) is in dealing with complaints received from Consumers and Industry, against advertisements which are considered as false, misleading, indecent, illegal, leading to unsafe practices, or unfair to competition, and consequently in contravention of the ASCI Code for Self-Regulation in Advertising.

    Click here to view all Goafest 2012 stories

     

  • The industry veteran & Lodestar UM CEO on full service agencies, his goals, regrets… & ad awards

    The media planner has become a zombie: Shashi Sinha

     

    Shashi Sinha has done a lifetime in the business of advertising and media. It’s been an interesting journey for an engineer who went from selling booze to crunching complicated numbers. The CEO of Lodestar UM shares his views on many important issues, including media research, the demise of the full service agency, key challenges facing media buyers in today’s market and how he managed to restore some credibility in the creative awards. The 54-year-old, who’s usually soft-spoken and politically correct, candidly speaks his mind on this occasion. Media buyers and creative directors must pay close attention. He makes some very valid points.

     

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    You work for two companies?

    I work for the Draft FCB group where I handle Lodestar. And recently I have taken charge of a creative agency called Interface. But my primary responsibility is Lodestar.

     

    Whom do you report to?

    I have dual reporting. I report to the Draft FCB Global CEO, Laurence Boschetto. On the Universal McCann side, I report to a gentleman called Jim Hytner who’s based in London.

     

    Dual reporting is always a tricky thing…

    It is tricky. Since they are sister companies you have to keep both masters happy. One of my strengths is getting along with people and ensuring that their objectives are met. I have been doing this for five years now. As long as the combined operation is successful, things are okay.

     

    Cut to the past. What attracted you to advertising, when you were a sales manager with the UB group?

    I actually came into advertising for the wrong reasons. I grew reasonably fast in the UB group at a young age and I was in sales there. But I wanted to migrate to marketing and that would have been an effort. Then a friend said to me I should work in advertising as I would get to work on many brands at one shot. And so I joined the ad world in 1986 and stayed on.

     

    And you started out as an account planner in Ulka. How did media happen?

    In those days planning was an unknown concept. Bal Mundkur used to run the agency at the time, and he thought planning was an airy fairy function, that it had lost steam. He asked me to do some ‘real work’. So I started doing odd jobs like running the financial advertising cell, selling sponsored prorgammes, etc. Later I shifted to client servicing. Along the way my interest in media grew. When the FCB guys decided to make India the regional hub, Anil Kapoor said the time had come for me to fully move to the media function.

     

    Share an interesting memory of Bal Mundkur.

    He had balls. Today our revenues and profits are huge and yet I would not take a decision which Bal took in the late eighties. The servicing team handling a large multinational client was very unhappy, they said they were being treated like shit. Bal wrote a six-page hand-written letter to the client explaining why the agency would like to part ways with them. When he told me about it, I was horrified. I asked him to instead change the team on the account. But Bal said, “No, it is a matter of pride.” (After some prodding Shashi reveals the name of the client. It was Glaxo.)

     

    You are involved in many activities, you run the GoaFest awards, now you are heading the Ad Club as well.  You have excess time on hand?

    (Laughs.) I have enjoyed it for the last three years but it’s getting to me now. I believe when you take something on you must give it your best. I took on GoaFest last year because it was in a mess. So one had to get some credibility back, I had a point to prove.

     

    I guess next year you would not want to do it.

    I will definitely not run the awards next year.

     

    Why has the Bombay Ad Club gone dead in the last few years? I recall they used to hold many events in the past.

    You are right, it has ended up becoming an awards-only body. The regular interactions have reduced. The agenda for the future is to make it broad-based. The Delhi market has become very big and it’s a starved market. So we can collaborate and do things. As soon as GoaFest is over you will see a lot of action happening in the Ad Club.

     

    Do you miss the days of the full service ad agency?

    I do. In fact, I’ll let you in on a secret. I want to go back to the integration system with Interface, and the response I have got so far is very good. I genuinely believe that full service is the final solution. The best ideas come when you are sitting around the table.

     

    Shashi, after all these years of happily running a media buying agency you are suddenly talking of integration.

    One has been playing to a role. One is building the media agency, building one’s clients. But the best quality works happens in a full service agency.

     

    And the media buying market has become like a sabzi mandi. How much fun can that be for someone who comes from the old school?

    This is the unfortunate downside of globalization, global clients and global processes. Truth is that internationally advertising is not a hot profession any more, it comes way down the totem pole. Though in India it still has a pedigree, there’s some respect left. Ten years later it may not be there.

     

    One super media innovation you are most proud of having effected.

    It’s always teamwork so it’s embarrassing to say I did it. We have enabled many, but the one I am most proud of was for Nerolac Paints about five years ago. We took up a Mumbai local and deposited the shades onto the train. Nerolac deposited their paint on the outside of the train and made a shade card out of it. It was a wonderful idea.

     

    How many years do you give the print medium in this country?

    I can’t say about Bombay, Delhi and Bangalore, but as a country, print will be here for a very long time. The smaller towns are under-leveraged. Secondly, even if there’s internet access, there’s no power supply in these places. So how much can one use the computer, how much can one read on the mobile? If the time spent in Bombay on a newspaper is 15 minutes, for a town in UP it would be forty minutes. The entire family reads it.

     

    Key challenges the buyer faces in a highly fragmented media market.

    Everyone chases the rate game and how to buy it cheap. To me that’s stupid. For most of the organized media there are metrics in place to measure the media efficiencies. So in media terms how many consumers we’ve reached is all bull. The big challenge is to find whether that’s working for my brand or not. That, no one is able to answer.

     

    That’s the media planner’s job. And the industry has killed the planner.

    Correct. The problem is that the media business has become all about volumes, the business has become transactional. The planner today has become a zombie, a computer programmer.

     

    How can the industry improve media research in this nation? There are too many question marks on television audience measurement and print readership studies.

    Someone has to put money on the table, it’s as simple as that. The solutions are all known, I know very bright and talented people in research, what needs to be fixed is known. The problem is: No one is wiling to invest. Today, if television measurement costs Rs 20 crores, what if Rs 100 crores was spent on it? Or, for readership surveys, which cost Rs 4 cores today, what will happen if they had Rs 15 crores? So it’s nothing but lack of funds. Neither the newspapers nor the media agencies nor the clients want to put down that kind of money. And that’s the only problem.

     

    GoaFest will be a sub-continental event this year?

    This being a tough year, we’ll have to see how to bring Pakistan and Bangladesh in. We have to see how many of them will come, it’s early days yet so I don’t know the answers. We are also trying to get the clients in.

     

    On the awards, how did you lick the problems of self voting and media leaks?

    On the problem of self-voting, it was very simple, it didn’t need a very bright mind. We stopped the practice of raising hands during the judging, and they had to vote on a piece of paper. So if a judge voted for his own agency’s work, we would block that score.

     

    You must be very disappointed with the creative directors who were indulging in this.

    Yes, 110 percent. In the Effies, the majority of the judges are the clients. And they are not as desperate to win as the creative directors. Which is why the creative directors take short cuts. And as long as you allow short cuts to happen, people will get even more emboldened. As far as the issue of the leaks goes, we solved it from the media end, because it’s very difficult to nab the person who was doing it. I reached out to various people in the media and got a commitment from their senior leadership that they won’t do it. Also, the switch to secret voting format helped.

     

    And yet, Lowe refuses to take part. Which means you still haven’t been able to crack the core credibility issues.

    Balki has taken a position and his problems are beyond the purview of someone running the awards. I am just a process coordinator. If he says he does not like his peers judging his work, that he doesn’t respect them, I can’t do anything about it. I can only clean up the processes. But forget Balki, there are other people who have their own agendas for not entering the awards, they fire over the awards committee’s shoulders. Privately they’d say to me they don’t have a good enough body of work so they won’t take part. But their public posture would be very different.

     

    Can’t you change the composition of the jury? Does it have to consist of creative directors?

    I would definitely like to bring the clients on the jury. Perhaps 50 percent of the panel. But I have been told by creative directors that ‘these are our awards’. You must understand that one is running an industry association and there will be many voices. And so it’s like a democracy; I may have a point of view but there are nine other people voting.

     

    One rival media buying agency head you admire.

    Jasmin Sohrabji (Managing Director, OMD India). She is far younger than I am but I respect her for building something from the start. She’s built the company from scratch in the last five years, and she’s done a terrific job.

     

    What are the future goals you’ve set for yourself?

    I think there’s a huge opportunity in the content space. And one would like to do something that’s related to advertising. It could be digital or television content. We have taken some baby steps in that direction but haven’t been able to ignite it. In fact, I have told our global parents they should offer quasi-entrepreneurial opportunities to the team members. In the sense that people within the company are given pilot projects to run, in which they have some stake.

     

    One big life regret.

    It’s not a regret but sometimes I wonder if after completing my IIT I made the right decision to stay on in India. I had the opportunity to get a scholarship to do my MBA abroad, and I could have stayed on there.

     

    Why? Don’t like working in India?

    Nothing like that. But the scale of operations abroad is dramatically different. The quality of life is good out here, but one is a big fish in a small pond.

     

     

    Click here to view all Goafest 2012 stories

     

  • It is an interesting initiative wherein each ISA member can nominate two people under the age of 30 years to experience the highs and thrills of Goafest 2012.

    Goafest launches “Marketing Wizards” for young clients

    By A Correspondent

     

    Keeping up to the promise of a ‘bigger and better; Goafest 2012, the organizing committee on Monday announced the launch of “Marketing Wizards” open to the Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA) member companies for delegates under the age of 30.

     

    Marketing Wizards is an interesting initiative wherein each ISA member can nominate up to two rising stars from their marketing teams under the age of 30 years to experience the highs and thrills of Goafest 2012. This offer is available at a discounted fee of Rs 6,000 only. This amount will covers two nights at a five star hotel, food & beverages, local transportation, seminars, award shows and much more with no further costs.

     

    Speaking about the programme, Arvind Sharma, Chairman of Goafest 2012 said: “This year we are focusing on getting clients to Goafest 2012. We hope to see many more senior marketers and a large contingent of young advertisers at the festival. Marketing Wizards has been created as an initiative to drive young advertisers’ participation and ensure that everyone is aware of what is in store for them at Goafest 2012.”

     

    Mr Sharma added: “There are many firsts for Goafest 2012. The inclusion of SAARC nations, Grand Prix’s across categories. The latest addition, Marketing Wizards, will be an ideal platform for marketers to reward their rising stars. Goafest 2012 will not only help them widen their advertising horizons they will also have a great time at the event.”

     

    Mr. Bharat Patel, Chairman, ISA said: “We welcome this initiative from AAAI & Goafest to increase participation of our members, and specifically their rising stars. Successful partnerships between advertisers and their advertising agencies are fundamental to the success of brands. In many ways, Goafest and the Abbies are a celebration of this success. Equally, they are opportunities for our bright young marketers to imbibe and learn. I believe our rising stars will benefit immensely by actively participating in this opportunity. The ‘Marketing Wizards’ initiative is indeed very attractive and I am sure our members will make the most of it.”

     

    Goafest 2012 is being organized by AAAI and Ad Club Bombay in partnership for the fifth year and will be held from April 20-21 at the Zuri White Sands in South Goa. It will be preceded by an advertising conclave on April 19th. The festival is themed the ‘Magic of Ideas.’

     

    Over the years, specialist areas like Out of Home & Ambient, Design, Interactive Digital Advertising, Direct, and Integrated Advertising have been growing in importance. In recognition of this phenomenon, in 2012, Abbies at Goafest will have provision for Grand Prix in all the nine verticals – the Grand Prix is being introduced in media awards as well.

     

    Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) is the official, national organization of advertising agencies, formed in 1945, to promote their interests. The Association promotes professionalism, through its founding principles which uphold sound business practices between advertisers and advertising agencies and the various media. The AAAI is recognized as the apex body of the advertising industry at all forums – advertisers, media owners and associations, and even government, as the spokesperson for the advertising industry.

     

    The Advertising Club Bombay, incorporated in the year 1954, is arguably the biggest Advertising Club of its kind in the world, and, according to many, also the busiest. It has over 1,400 members drawn from media organizations, marketing companies, advertising agencies and allied professional bodies.

    Click here to view all Goafest 2012 stories

     

  • After all, it is the only big way of celebrating being in a fun and energy-filled industry, feels Vishakha Singh

    Anchor: 5 reasons why one must go for Goafest

    By Vishakha Singh

     

    Companies and people will very soon start talking about the Goa Fest, some media channels are already doing stories telling us what to expect, the controversies and so on. As usual some veterans will ask: “It is the same set of faces, same people, then why this Goa Fest Ji?” And I would reply with a ‘why not?’, after all, it is the only big way of celebrating being in a fun and energy-filled industry.

     

    Here are my five fabulous ‘Fs’ why you should consider going to theGoafest. (Or otherwise)

     

    5. Feel fresher, Feel younger

    When was the last time you did the rain dance? Wait, you just thought you are too old for it? Hah, so am I, and I’m itching to be forty. But that said, I love to watch people on the rain dance floor as I only feel younger. And that’s not the only reason, there is much more energy around in the air to make you feel young in your mind. Age doesn’t matter and will not matter for a while, if you attend Goafest!

     

    4. Fast Forward

    It’s not about celebrating what was good last year; it is more about trends that are emerging. Whoever says whatever; there is a lot to hear. Hear from both national and international minds who give a peek-a-boo in the future. Every year, without fail, the lineup is worth spending a few hours in the air-conditioned hangars. If you fall asleep, you get to recharge yourself, if you stay awake and stay alert; you are in a fast-forward world in a very different way.

     

    3. Facebooking

    Not the Mark Zuckerberg one, but more on face-to-face booking. Yes, Goa Fest is one helluva of social networking opportunity – colleagues, ex-colleagues, new flames, old flames, clients, agencies… there is not a moment you’ll be left alone, even if you wish for it! This is the best time of the year to get your own dose of social networking and that too right at the beginning of the financial year. So pick your choice and spend the year in that company. The company that you keep is what matters, make your choice here!

     

    2. Fire Fighting

    Not too many people will talk about this, but Goafest is the perfect furnace to make you a fighter. Year after year, organizers choose such dates that you will come out a fighter at the end of it. If you can beat the heat, you are an accomplished fighter, and would end up winning all deadlines!

     

    1. Fine tuning

    Um, this is quite secretive. This is not loud. This is absolutely to one’s self. With the amount of work displayed and the creativity in the air, you fine tune your mind, your thoughts, ideas, and keep it hidden – sometimes consciously and many times sub-consciously. This is the best gift that you could give yourself. Of being observant. Of people. Places. Work. Conversations. Of your own self!

     

    If you are convinced of these five fundas (or have some of your own), you must convince at least one more person. Preferably, your client, your agency, your people. See you at Goafest!

     

    Vishakha Singh is Executive Director, A Comms

    Click here to view all Goafest 2012 stories

     

  • The advertising festival is now calling for creative ideas and delegates from South Asian countries.

    Goafest 2012 brings S Asia into ambit

    By Robin Thomas

     

    Goafest 2012 has been extended across South Asian countries. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal have been invited not only as delegates, but also as award entrants. Specialist agencies have been encouraged to participate in Goafest 2012, and Grand Prix have been introduced in more categories. These were some of the announcements made by the Goafest Committee. The advertising festival is scheduled to be held from April 19 to April 21, 2012 at the Zuri White Sands in South Goa. The theme this year is ‘Magic of ideas’. Goafest 2012 has been presented by AAAI and Ad Club Bombay.

     

    Since specialist areas like Out-of-Home, Ambient, Design, Interactive Digital Advertising, Direct and Integrated Advertising have been growing over the years, Abbies at Goafest 2012 will have a provision for Grand Prix in all nine verticals. Last year the Grand Prix was given only in Film, Print and Radio verticals. Grand Prix will also be introduced in the media awards.

     

    Goafest 2012 is said to be looking at strong client participation with senior clients expected to be an integral part of knowledge seminars. The Goafest committee is also said to be looking to attract young client delegates in large numbers. It is offering special packages for under-30 marketers.

     

    In order to spread awareness about Goafest 2012, the committee has decided to conduct roadshows across South Asian countries.

     

    In conversation with MxMIndia, Arvind Sharma, Goafest Committee Chairman said, “The theme is inclusiveness, we clearly present what value each one will get by participating at the festival. We haven’t really reached out and marketed ourselves. We have not sent out a clear message about inclusivity and the importance of participation. It is said the nature of business is changing, and that there are a whole lot of specialist areas to be ventured into. By allowing Grand Prix in each of the verticals Goafest 2012 has highlighted the importance of each of the verticals. Goafest is a property like no other else therefore it is important to bring in specialist agencies that have traditionally not been part of Ad Club.”

     

    On his expectations from Goafest 2012, Shashi Sinha, President, The Advertising Club Bombay and Chairman of the Awards Governing Council said, “With Grand Prix opening up and more organizations participating, hopefully even from other countries, expectations are quite high. This time although the delegates are much higher, there will be a lot of fragmentations because of increased participations from different agencies.”

     

    The decision is also expected to encourage many more specialist agencies to come forward and enter their work in the show. This is likely to give a further impetus to the trend observed over the last few years. Consistent with its growing importance, digital will find a place at Goafest 2012. Digital Awards will be held on April 20, 2012 as will Media Awards. Design, Direct Awards will also be held on April 20, 2012 and as in past the rest of the Creative awards will be held at the awards night on April 21, 2012.

     

    In line with the overall festival theme, Goafest 2012 Conclave theme is ‘Ideas for impacting the full circle’. The Conclave aims to help the entire industry gear up for opportunities that lie ahead. The festival is said to be inviting global leaders from major clients as well as major communication groups to participate in the Conclave.

    Click here to view all Goafest 2012 stories

     

  • Much-awaited advertising and awards festival will be held at the same venue as last year.

    Goafest 2012 to be held on April 19-21

    By A Correspondent

     

    Goafest, the much awaited yearly event from the Advertising Agencies Association of India and Advertising Club Bombay, has come out with its festival dates for 2012.

     

    This year’s Goafest will be held on April 19-21 at the same venue as last year, The Zuri White Sands resort on Varca beach.

     

    Other details of the festival will be announced following a committee meeting on January 9.

     

    Over the years Goafest has become the biggest congregation of advertising professional under the sun and sand inGoa. It is touted asIndia’s biggest advertising and awards festival.

     

    The theme for last year’s festival was ‘Ideas are all around us-can you SPOT one?’ Two of the biggest awards held during the festival include the Media Abbys and Creative Abbys.

    Click here to view all Goafest 2012 stories

     

  • Sinha is upbeat on crossing the first hurdle of judging and promises that this year the work showcased at the Fest will be high quality

    9 Days to Go-Goafest | Shashi Sinha on the judging process

    Shashi Sinha, President of Ad Club Bombay and Chairman of Awards Governing Council has played a critical role in the cleaning up of awards at the Goafest which has come under a scanner post the incident of self voting and leaking of award results. Having started the process last year to bring credibility to the awards, Sinha is now upbeat on crossing the first hurdle and promises that this year the work showcased at the Fest will be high quality. Here’s Sinha throwing some light on the judging process.

     

    Yesterday evening, as I stepped out from the Direct jury discussions, I must admit that I felt overwhelmed by the quality of conversation this year. We have been encouraging the jury to engage in long discussion as that is the only way to understand the nuances involved in the work. More the discussion, more the clarity in judging the works.

     

    In fact, this year we have increased the number of jury in each category from 6 to 8 in the last year to 10 to 12 this year, thus having a better representation of people. We have fine-tuned the judging process and added more categories. We have also increased the number of Grand Prix that will cover all the 9 verticals (10 if you consider Print and Print Craft separately) where again role of conversation will play a critical role in finding ‘the work’. We have also moved to secret voting thus allowing the jury to make their choice without worrying about upsetting anyone from the fraternity which was the case when voting happened by show of hands.

     

    We had tackled these issues last year, but I would say that last year at the Fest the focus was to get the process right and clean up the issues that had marred the awards. We were focusing on bringing transparency to the entire judging process and make it tight and fair. The AGC and KPMG are now familiar with how things ran last year hence there is more comfort with the procedure and protocol.

     

    Now with process in place we are working towards improving the quality of work being showcased. I must admit that we have achieved this seeing the quality of discussion we have been having, I feel proud to be part of the industry.

     

    We have also been giving a week’s break after the R1 of judging just so that there is a gap and judging happens with a fresh perspective, without any preconceived notions. Also, while shortlists were announced earlier, we are not doing this now, so that even for judges as they walk in for R2 there is an element of surprise to see the shortlist, paving way for fresh conversation. As earlier, where all the shortlists were showcased at Goa, now we will only showcase the finalists, resulting in a better quality of display as the works would have gone two filtering process.

     

    In fact, we are finished with the R1 in all categories this year and almost in the last leg of judging with 3 categories left. Today, we will judge the interactive which I am looking forward to. It is an upcoming category and I am sure it would be fun being a part of it. This year, we have also had entries from South Asian countries and even though the number is not much but it is good beginning that will give the fest a larger footprint.

     

    We have also split the award to two days as that was a feedback we got from people. So the 3Ds- Direct, Digital and Design will be given on the night of April 20, the rest will be given on April 21.

     

    In my mind, the judging process may have become complicated and is time consuming but the changes have happened for good. Goafest is here to stay and each year we have bettered it, like this year we have an impressive list of international speakers, given the fact it’s been a rough year for the industry. We have also managed the location issue as the Zuri White Sands is a better location as opposed to the beach. I think we have got the formula right for the Fest now. Just keeping my fingers crossed.

     

    Click here to view all Goafest 2012 stories