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Tag: GOAFEST 2021

  • Jaideep Gandhi has been elected as the Chairman for the Goafest 2022 while Rana Barua will be Chairman of the Awards Governing Council

    Goafest to be back, from April 7 to 9, 2022

    By Our Staff

     

    The Indian marketing ecosystem’s premier event Goafest 2022 has announced its 15th edition. The event presented by the Advertising Agencies Association of India and The Advertising Club will be held in Goa from April 7 to 9, 2022

     

    The three-day grand event will be helmed by Jaideep Gandhi as Chairman of the Goafest 2022 Organising Committee. Havas India chief Rana Barua has been elected Chairman of the Awards Governing Council for ABBY Awards 2022.

     

    Anupriya Acharya

    Speaking about the 15th edition of Goafest,  Anupriya Acharya, President, AAAI, said: “Goafest is the definitive festival for the advertising, media and marketing industry in the sub-continent. This time the festival is coming after a gap of two years and so one can imagine the anticipation the industry professionals will have! We also expect a lot of first timers this time given a lot of new young talent has joined in these two years. Goafest 2022 will be a good platform to celebrate our industry’s resilience as well as the potential.” On  Jaideep Gandhi’s appointment as the Chairman, she further added, “Jaideep is a seasoned industry professional with vast experience on Goafest. Certainly, it will translate into a delightful and engaging festival experience for all.”

     

    Partha Sinha
    Partha Sinha

    Said Partha Sinha, President, The Advertising Club and President, Times of India said, “The return of Abby and Goafest not only mark the return of normalcy in the advertising, marketing and media landscape of India but it also underlines the reason for which most of like this profession – the celebration of excellence. The Abby is the highest honour in this country for excellence and we wanted to ensure that we bring the big one back with all its glory. We have used the hiatus to our advantage and the award will witness some big forward movements in this Goafest. Watch this space for more details.” On Rana Barua’s appointment as the Chairman, he added, “Rana has first-hand experiences of organising and winning both creative and media awards. His experience will be hugely beneficial as the Chairman of the Award Governing Council. It’s a complex job and we had to entrust the right person with that job.”

     

    Jaideep Gandhi
    Jaideep Gandhi

    Added Gandhi: “It’s the illustrious return of Goafest 2022, with its 15th edition, where recognition, innovation, collaboration and celebration all happen under the same sky. Ensuring all safety protocols that’re necessary in a post-pandemic world, I believe it’s time for the industry to rediscover the power, joy and magic of connecting once again in the real world. I’m grateful to the previous Chairmen Mr Nakul Chopra and Mr Ashish Bhasin for the learnings I received from them and thankful to the President of AAAI – Ms. Anupriya Acharya for her continuous support and encouragement.”

     

    Rana Barua

    Speaking about the forthcoming Abby Awards, Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas Group India and Vice President, The Advertising Club and AGC Chairman, said, “After two extremely tough years for the industry, I am extremely happy to say that Abby is back. The Abby has always been recognised as the best in creativity for our industry and winning Abby will continue to be an inspiration and motivation for the new generation of marketers, agencies and brand custodians. Since the period of entries will be from February 16, 2019 to February 15, 2021, I encourage all to come forward and celebrate their best work.”

     

    The Awards Governing Committee for ABBY’s Awards includes:

    1. Rana Barua, (AGC Chairman), Group CEO, Havas Group India

    2. Jaideep Gandhi, (Chairman – Goafest Organising Committee), Founder, Another Idea

    3. Partha Sinha, President, Times of India

    4. Shashi Sinha, CEO-India, IPG Mediabrands

    5. Ajay Kakar, Chief Marketing Officer, Aditya Birla Capital Limited

    6. Ajay Chandwani, Managing Committee Member, The Advertising Club

    7. Malcom Raphael, Senior Vice-President, Times Response

    8. Anupriya Acharya, CEO South Asia, Publicis Groupe

    9. Prasanth Kumar, CEO-South Asia, GroupM Media (India) Pvt. Ltd.

    10. Sam Balsara, Chairman and Managing Director, Madison Communications Pvt. Ltd.

    11. Rohit Ohri, Group Chairman & CEO, FCB Group India

    12. Hephzibah Pathak, Vice Chairperson & Chief Client Officer India, Ogilvy & Mather Pvt. Ltd.

  • Brands and agencies innovated to to create relevant, original & impactful work. Should these industry warriors go unrecognised, asks Sanjeev Kotnala

    Goafest: No News is Not Good News

     

    By Sanjeev Kotnala

    Sanjeev KotnalaIt is that time of the year. Goafest time. For the last 15 years, until 2020, Goa was my annual advertising, marketing, networking pilgrimage. I have attended every edition of Goafest.

    I have associated with Goafest in multiple capacities. I have been a delegate, a sponsor, an awardwinner and a jury member. Oh, I have rebelled by attempting to hijacking one evening with a successful standalone show. Few unfinished stories started at the Goafest and never reached a conclusion. I led cross-functional teams to publish the daily newsletter, including the first 3D issue at Goafest. Once, I objected to some Swami’s presence as a speaker. Pushed for more respect and participation to Publishers’ Abby.

    I have been an observer who regularly provided unsolicited inputs and suggestions. Some of them found the right ears and minds to impress and were implemented with no credit. But that’s par for the industry, or I think some else too had similar brilliant thoughts at the same time.

    So, it is natural that towards the end of March and the first/second weekend of April, I am full of nostalgia. My mind longs to be at Goa and enjoy the festival of advertising excellence. Thankfully, there are no withdrawal symptoms.

     

    GOAFEST 2020

    Goafest 2020 was rightfully postponed as the entire country was reeling under the spectre of the Covid-19. Later, Abbys were also deferred. The Red-Abby, which was to have its maiden appearance, remained silent. Later the whole show was cancelled.

     

    GOAFEST 2021

    One expected 2021 to be better. But, the Covid pandemic is back with a vengeance. The organising bodies AAAI and Advertising Club are silent. There is no announcement I know of.

    Don’t think there is any time left. In all probability, Goafest 2021 is dead.

    The question that stares you on the face is not so simple. Will Goafest ever be revived? There is no reason to believe it is dead! But most people do not see many reasons for it to be restored.

     

    FESTIVALS ADAPTING TO CHANGE

    I do not understand. When most of the awards have adapted to the new realities and have gone online or found other ways to celebrate, what stops from Goafest from doing the same?

    Is Goa the problem? Goa and virtual fun – does not sound right. What about the drinks? The tamasha? The knowledge sessions? The manpower poaching and interviews? Maybe, this is the right moment to get Goa out of Goafest. Maybe, it is time to get back to celebrating the excellence in Advertising and Marketing and be location-agnostic.

     

    ABBY COULD HAVE CONTINUED

    The Advertising Club says on its site: ‘ Recognition of efforts is what motivates an individual. And for an industry that thrives on motivation, the Ad Club has initiated various awards to ensure that Indian ad professionals receive the recognition they deserve. The ABBY AWARD are the Oscars of Indian ad awards to honour creative excellence in advertising.”

    So, when  Cannes changed its format and dates, it allowed a rich interaction with archives and sessions.  Adfest Pattaya went online and announced the winners of the last two years. Near home, award functions continued. Virtual webinars and exhibitions thrived. Knowledge seminars buzzed with suitable content and names… so what about Goafest? Kyoorius Award have started the entry process and were successfully conducted last year – what stops Goafest? Meanwhile, I read about the Filmfare Awards 2021, when the industry was almost shut for the last year. As I write this, I wait to watch the Mirchi Music Awards.

     

    EXPECTATION AND EXPERIENCE

    Goafest has evolved with time. Setting up new expectations and creating experiences to bridge the gap. So, what stops it from taking that leap of faith and get to a 2021 Goafest version going.

    Don’t the organisers have the responsibility and direct accountability to the community of agencies, clients, researchers, PR and marketers. Should the elected body at Ad Club and AAAI not go the extra mile to see it happens.

    2020 is understandable. But what about 2021.

    Why is no one asking and raising the voice?

    Or maybe Goafest does not call for such concern!

    Maybe, it is just me who is paranoid about the changes and what it could spell for Goa in Goafest.

    The industry has worked within imposing constraints. Brands and agencies innovated to find new ways to create fabulous relevant-original and impactful work.

    Should these industry warriors go unrecognised?

    Or do we plan to have a three-year award show in 2022 – subject to fair weather conditions.

     

     

    THE INDUSTRY NEEDS POSITIVITY  

    The economy, business and the advertising-marketing fraternity can definitely do with some positivity and celebration. Offline or online. WFH or lazing around in Goa. Remember, consistency is always a winner. Voids and absence give rise to many uncomfortable thoughts. Frankly, I can’t think how we will bridge the gap if Goafest is not held this year.

    Sanjeev Kotnala is a senior marketing and business strategist and educator. He writes on MxMIndia every Wednesday. His views here are personal