AD Agencies
Goafest 2026 pays tribute to Arun Nanda – the showman and builder who helped shape the entire Ad Industry
From showman to institution-builder, Goafest 2026 remembers the two-time Association President whose vision, charisma, and conviction helped define the very soul of Indian advertising
MUMBAI: Goafest 2026 paid tribute to Arun Nanda, honoring the advertising veteran for his role in shaping the journeys of countless leaders across advertising, media, and marketing.
The memorial segment highlighted Nanda’s impact beyond awards and achievements, focusing on the spirit he brought to the industry. Speakers recalled his energy, conviction, and ability to “dream so much bigger than the moment,” noting that these qualities were what people remembered most.
“He carried the charisma of a showman and the instincts of a builder, and he brought both of those together to bear on every single thing that he touched,” the tribute said.
As a two-time President of the Association and recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Nanda was credited with shaping not just agencies and brands, but the direction of the Indian communication industry as a whole. “He helped make us who we are,” the tribute noted.
The session emphasized that Nanda leaves behind more than a company. His legacy, it said, is written into the history of Indian advertising and into the careers of those who learned from him, competed with him, or simply watched his journey.
The tribute concluded with a message to his family and loved ones, expressing that comfort may be found in knowing “such eras exist, and they exist only because of the people like him who made those possible.”
“Rest in peace, Arun. You didn’t just build an agency, you helped build an industry,” the tribute stated.
