MAM
Discovery presents Goafest 2011 ad conclave
MUMBAI: Discovery Channel will present the Advertising Conclave at Goafest 2011 for the third year in succession.
The Advertising Conclave, presented by Discovery Channel, will take place at Zuri White Sands on 7 April from 3 pm to 8 pm.
The ad industry has undergone significant changes in the past decade. Keeping the changing landscape of the industry in mind, Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) presents ‘Preparing the profession for the new decade’, a conclave which will precede Goafest 2011.
Commenting on Discovery Channel’s association with Goafest 2011, Discovery India senior VP, GM Rahul Johri said, “Goafest is the industry’s most prominent event and we are delighted to be partnering with it for the third year in succession. As in the past, we are confident that this edition of conclave will prepare the industry for the next decade through engaging discussions and in-depth interviews.”
Presented by Discovery Channel, the Goafest 2011 Advertising Conclave is a common ground for the thought leaders to get together and discuss the larger issues of the industry.
This year the conclave will be led by RK Swamy BBDO chairman and MD Srinivasan K Swamy. The discussions at the conclave will focus on the advertising practices in the new decade and cover four important dimensions. The first session brings in advertisers’ perspective on the issues facing the agencies and what they should do to be more relevant in the coming years.
The second session address what can we learn from other service industries; like media/broadcasting, IT, consulting, auditing, telecom and interactive/digital. This will help gain insights on how to increase competency, be more remunerative, attract and retain talent.
The third session is on ‘How have some advertising companies organised themselves for the new decade?‘ This will be based on an in-depth research done by IMRB on how ‘future-ready’ the agencies are with respect to agency structure, skills enhancement, and new talent acquisition.
The last session will address the issues of improving remuneration, developing competitiveness and looking for a new cost effective agency model.
Srinivasan K Swamy, Chairman, Goafest Advertising Conclave in his opening address will talk about the issues that the industry is facing and provide some answers.
The Conclave will also see ASCI Ambassadors Event where senior professionals from advertisers, agencies and media will take a pledge to create advertising which is honest, truthful, decent, fair, promotes safety, and does not exploit weaker sections of society and children.
The Conclave will be followed by Goafest 2011 from 8-9 April.
MAM
Aparna Bhawal steps down as KFC India CMO after three years
Set to exit by May 2026, launches AB Advisory Group for growth strategy.
MUMBAI: From brand buckets to building her own playbook, Aparna Bhawal is swapping the CMO seat for the founder’s chair. Bhawal has resigned as chief marketing officer of KFC India and its partner markets, drawing the curtain on a three-year stint with the Yum! Brands portfolio. She is currently transitioning responsibilities through March and is expected to complete her exit by May 2026.
The move marks a shift towards entrepreneurship, with Bhawal setting up AB Advisory Group, a venture aimed at working with founders and scaling businesses on growth strategy, execution and commercial focus. The decision, she indicated, has been a long-considered one centred on building a platform that helps companies navigate growth with sharper strategic direction and stronger marketing fundamentals.
With over two decades of experience, Bhawal’s career spans leadership roles across HT Media, The Coca-Cola Company and Procter & Gamble, covering brand building, consumer engagement and business growth across categories.
Beyond corporate roles, she has remained closely involved with the industry ecosystem. She is part of the managing committee of The Advertising Club of India for 2025–26 and serves as an advisory board member at the Indian Influencer Governing Council.
Her contributions have also earned recognition, including features in BW’s Top 100 Marketers list and BW Marketing World’s Most Influential Women list in both 2024 and 2025.
As Bhawal steps into her next chapter, the shift reflects a broader trend in marketing leadership where seasoned operators are increasingly moving from building brands to building businesses.
