MAM
Laura Ries, Phogat sisters, Amitabh Kant impart leadership lessons: Goafest ’17 concludes
GOA: After three days of seminars and conclaves by industry experts, crazy parties and evenings filled with delegates screaming their throats hoarse in support of colleagues during the ABBYs presentations Goafest 2017, India’s foremost advertising, media and marketing convention, came to a spectacular conclusion.
Government institution for catalyzing economic development NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant was felicitated with the prestigious Champions of Excellence Award for his extraordinary contribution towards building Brand Kerala as ‘God’s Own Country’.
Day 3, which was the final day of the festival, saw exciting seminars by none other than author Laura Ries, wrestling sensation of India – The Phogat Sisters, and Isha Katyal – the youngest Indian TED speaker. They were joined by industry stalwarts such as Yonathan Dominitz of The Mindspaces, Eric Cruz of AKQA and Juhi Kalia of Facebook who interacted and engaged with delegates through multiple Knowledge Seminars through the day. The eventful Day 3 came to an end with the presentation of ABBYs for Digital, Mobile, Out of Home, Ambient Media, Design, Print, Film Craft, Integrated Advertising, Special Awards (Gender Sensitive), Young ABBY & Film.
About the successful conclusion, Advertising Agencies Association of India president Nakul Chopra said, “The last three days saw some of the brightest minds from the world of media, marketing and advertising congregating together in one place to make Goafest 2017 an exciting experience for all. As an organiser, I felt delighted to see attendees enjoying themselves thoroughly – during the seminars and at the ABBY presentations and the parties. The energy one felt coursing through the venue everyday was simply invigorating.”
Extending his congratulations to the winners, The Advertising Club president Raj Nayak said, “When we started planning for Goafest 2017, our aim was to create a festival filled with knowledge, wisdom, entertainment, fun and which was also a great networking opportunity. I can now proudly say we have achieved everything that we had set out to. Goa has seen some of the most creative minds in India together at one place – meeting, interacting, engaging and celebrating ABBY wins.”
Felicitating the winners, Goafest 2017 chairman Ashish Bhasin said, “It gives me great joy to see all the delegates enjoying, learning and connecting with everyone. I would also like to congratulate all. You all are the creative forces that keep driving this industry to newer heights of success.”
Awards Governing Council Abby’s chairman Ramesh Narayan added, “Goafest is a confluence of creative minds who gather here year on year to connect, communicate and celebrate the amount of hard work.”
With industry specific conclaves to expert seminars and ABBYs presentations, the Goafest ABBYs 2017 presented by the The Advertising Club and The Advertising Agencies Association of India saw the entire advertising and marketing community descend upon the silver sands of Goa to celebrate excellence in creativity across media platforms and genres.
AD Agencies
Prakash Nair reportedly quits Ogilvy after 23 years
One of the agency’s longest-serving leaders has moved on, with his next destination still unknown
MUMBAI: After more than two decades at one address, Prakash Nair has left the building. The president and head of office, north at Ogilvy has moved on from the agency, according to highly placed industry sources. His next move remains unknown. Ogilvy did not respond to requests for comment.
Nair spent over 23 years at the agency, making him one of its longest-serving senior figures. He was elevated to lead the Gurugram office in April 2022, a role that put him at the helm of Ogilvy’s northern operations at a time of considerable churn across the advertising industry.
Before taking charge in the capital, Nair served as associate president at Ogilvy Mumbai, where he worked on some of the agency’s most prized accounts, including Mondelez, Tata Motors, and BP Castrol. Over the years, he built a reputation for driving modern, integrated, and award-winning work, the kind that wins metals at Cannes and keeps clients from straying.
His departure was marked in style. A farewell gathering was held in Delhi, attended by senior figures from across the advertising fraternity, a signal of the regard in which Nair is held in an industry that does not always pause to say goodbye properly.
Where he goes next is the question the industry is now asking. After 23 years at one of the world’s most storied agencies, the answer, when it comes, will be worth watching.
