Goafest 2025 returns to Goa with ‘Ignite’ in the spotlight

The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC) have announced the return of Goafest to its original location in Goa for its 18th edition. Scheduled to take place from 21-23 May 2025, the festival, which is co-hosted by TAC and AAAI, will be held at the Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon.

In 2024, Goafest was relocated to Westin Powai, Mumbai, due to the Lok Sabha elections. The event carried the theme ‘Age of Adaptability’ and marked a strategic collaboration with D&AD, a global leader in design and advertising excellence, to introduce skill development masterclasses.

This year, Amazon MX Player has been confirmed as the title sponsor. Commenting on the partnership, Aruna Daryanani, director of Amazon MX Player, stated, “At Amazon MX Player, our mission is to deliver high-quality entertainment for free while offering advertisers unmatched reach, engagement, and innovative advertising solutions. Partnering with Goafest 2025 as the Presenting Sponsor is a testament to this commitment. This year’s theme, ‘Ignite ____,’ perfectly aligns with our vision of pushing the boundaries of content and entertainment.”

A key highlight of the event will be the ABBY Awards Powered by One Show 2025. At a curtain-raiser event, organisers announced the addition of three new categories to the existing 24: ‘Small Budget, Big Impact’, ‘Sports Marketing’, and ‘Micro Marketing’.

During the 2024 edition, the ABBY Awards celebrated creative work across various categories, including Creative, Brand Activation & Promotions, Branded Content & Entertainment, Video Craft, and Health. That year, a total of 3 Grand Prix, 35 Gold, 52 Silver, 123 Bronze Metals, and 5 Specialists were awarded. Leo Burnett secured multiple honours, including ‘Creative Agency of the Year’, ‘Branded Content & Entertainment Specialist Agency of the Year’, and ‘Brand Activation & Promotions Specialist Agency of the Year’. Meanwhile, Good Morning Films was named Video Craft Specialist of the Year.

For the first time, Goafest 2025 will introduce the ‘Goafest Village’, featuring multiple venues and experiences under one roof. Speaking about the festival’s return to Goa, Prasanth Kumar, AAAI’s president and CEO of GroupM, South Asia, said, “Goafest has always stood as a beacon of creativity, innovation, and connection. After last year’s momentous edition in Mumbai, we are thrilled to return to the vibrant shores of Goa, the birthplace of its illustrious legacy. Centred around this year’s theme, ‘Ignite _____,’ the festival aspires to kindle groundbreaking conversations, ignite visionary perspectives, and illuminate the path forward for advertising and marketing. This edition introduces the Goafest Village—a bold, immersive concept designed as a nexus for collaboration, networking, and the free exchange of ideas.”

The 2025 theme, ‘Ignite ______’, is designed to be flexible, encouraging a wide range of discussions that drive change. Each session, panel, and keynote will delve into different aspects of the industry, igniting conversations around brands, creativity, and evolving consumer engagement.

The event aims to provide a platform for industry leaders and young professionals to connect, learn, and be inspired. It will also host the ABBY Awards Powered by One Show 2025, considered one of the most prestigious creative accolades in the region.

Discussing the evolution of Goafest and the ABBY Awards Powered by One Show, Rana Barua, TAC’s president and group CEO of Havas India, South East and North Asia, said, “Taking Goafest back to Goa is a celebration in itself. The festival has always been synonymous with creativity, collaboration, and industry excellence. With ‘Ignite_____’ as our theme, we are setting the stage for ideas that push the boundaries of creativity. This year’s ABBY Awards Powered by One Show will be even more inspiring, bringing together the brightest minds in the industry.”

Jaideep Gandhi, chairman of the Goafest 2025 Organising Committee and founder of Another Idea, added, “Staying true to our theme ‘Ignite _____,’ we aim to foster collaboration and elevate India’s creative and marketing ecosystem globally, with (Madison’s chairman) Sam Balsara, (RK Swamy’s) Sundar Swamy, and (IPG Mediabrand’s) Shashi Sinha as the torchbearers, guiding us, inspiring us, and pushing us to make Goafest bigger and better. We look forward to an exciting Goafest 2025.”

Highlighting the evolving role of technology in advertising, Mohit Joshi, co-chair of the Goafest 2025 Organising Committee and CEO of Havas Media Network India, stated, “Technology and data are reshaping advertising, demanding agility, creativity, and purpose. At Goafest 2025, the industry’s sharpest minds will ‘ignite’ powerful conversations—challenging norms, sparking innovation, and shaping the future. We will curate discussions that don’t just inform but transform, fuelling ideas that drive real impact.”

Ajay Kakar, head—corporate branding at Adani Group, remarked, “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 honouring the best minds in the industry with the ABBY Awards Powered by One Show.”

Meanwhile, the 56th edition of the ABBY Awards supported by One Show will take place during Goafest 2025 between May 21 and 23, 2025 at the Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon in Goa. Honouring the creative and media excellence in South Asia, this year's awards include a new categories such as 'Small Budget Big Impact', 'Sports Marketing', and 'Micro Marketing'. This category expansion has been carried out to identify and honour innovative work done in a broad spectrum of the advertising and media industries. The entries for awards nomination are being accepted at present.

The Advertising Club has announced the list of Awards Governing Council (AGC) members and the distinguished Jury panel. The AGC members include business leaders from top companies such as Adani Group, FCB, Havas India, and McCann World Group. The members of the Jury panel include top leaders from Havas Worldwide, McCann WorldGroup, Enormous Brands, Elephant Design, and other leading ad firms.