All About: Goafest 2011

It’s that time of the year when folks from Indian adland make their annual trek to the beaches of Goa for some knowledge, networking and loads of fun. This year, the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Ad Club Bombay (ACB) have resolved their differences to come together and continue to host the annual event. Scheduled from April 5 to 9, 2011, this year the event has shifted from the familiar Cavelossim beach to Zuri White Sands Resort in South Goa.

1 With a new venue, new initiatives and a new theme, the festival organisers promise learning, inspiration, stimulation and fun. ‘Ideas are all around us, can you SPOT one?’ has been chosen as the theme for this year’s festival. The duration for this year’s event has also been increased for the younger people in the community with the addition of a unique initiative in collaboration with the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) from April 5 to 7 this year.

2 The festival will kick off with a new initiative ‘Creativity with Conscience’ wherein organisers are hosting 100 young people under thirty years of age to come up with art installations to be showcased at the Ad village during the festival. Participating teams will be given briefs drawn up by ASCI, each covering an aspect of responsible advertising. The teams will be required to produce a total of ten pieces of installation art that will be laid out all around the Goafest 2011 venue. Eight teams have already been confirmed to be a part of the initiative. The agencies that are taking part in this initiative include RK Swamy BBDO, BC Web Wise, TBWA, Bates 141, Lowe Lintas, Leo Burnett, Mudra and Ogilvy.

As usual, the industry conclave involving the thought leaders of the industry has been scheduled on April 7, a day prior to the knowledge sessions. To be led by Sundar Swamy, chairman and managing director, RK Swamy BBDO, the topic for this year’s conclave is ‘Preparing the profession for the new decade’.

3 Along with the flowing alcohol and the beach sports, the festival also helps industry folks to attend a few knowledge and learning seminars. Spread over both the days, day 1 will have Neeraj Nayar, president, Contagious Communications; Charlie Crowe, founder, The Festival of Media; Brian J Terkelsen, President, LiquidThread, Starcom MediaVest Group, Daniel Morel, chief executive officer, Wunderman and Scott Goodson, chief executive officer, Strawberry Frog taking the stage. Day 2 will give an opportunity for the attendees to attend presentations by Laurie Coots, chief marketing officer, TBWA; Shailesh Rao, managing director, media and platforms – JAPAC, Google; Susan Clark, managing director, CEMEA and group marketing director, The Economist Group and John Hegarty, chairman, BBH.

4 The much awaited Abby’s starts with the Media Awards on April 8, followed by the Creative Awards on April 9. The Abby’s judging will be managed by the Awards Governing Council (AGC) under the chairmanship of Shashi Sinha, chief executive officer, Lodestar UM.

The AGC is a nine member committee with eminent industry personalities including Arvind Sharma, Sundar Swamy, Sunil Lulla, Ajay Chandwani, Ajay Kakkar, Suman Srivastava, the president of AAAI Nagesh Alai and the president of ACB Bhaskar Das.

Additionally Goafest 2011 will be hosting two of Festival of Media’s categories - ‘Best communication strategy’ and ‘Best contribution to a campaign by a media owner’ at specially reduced entry fees. The winners and runners-up of these categories will be fast-tracked into the Festival of Media finals.

In alliance with the Indian chapter of International Advertising Association, the organisers will also host the first ever Olive Crown Awards on April 9. Aimed at encouraging advertisers and marketers to communicate green messaging, the Olive Crown awards will recognise and promote responsible advertising. Also, the awards seek to position marketing and advertising as a critical component of responsible economic growth.