AD Agencies
Goafest 2025 returns to Goa with a bang
MUMBAI: South Asia’s biggest creative extravaganza, Goafest, is heading back to its spiritual home in Goa for its eighteenth edition. Organised by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC), Goafest 2025 will take place from 21 to 23 May at the Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon Goa. This year, the festival welcomes Amazon MX Player as its title sponsor.
A fresh twist awaits attendees with the debut of the ‘Goafest Village’—a dynamic, multi-venue experience packed with immersive engagements under one roof. Themed ‘Ignite _____’, the festival is set to spark game-changing discussions on creativity, brand evolution and consumer engagement.
Celebrated as the mecca of advertising, media and marketing, Goafest promises three action-packed days of learning, networking and inspiration. The Abby Awards Powered by One Show will once again take centre stage, honouring South Asia’s most outstanding creative minds.
GroupM South Asia CEO & AAAI president Prasanth Kumar said, “Goafest is a beacon of creativity and connection. Returning to Goa feels like coming home. ‘Ignite _____’ is more than a theme—it’s a call to action for bold ideas, groundbreaking conversations and visionary thinking. The Goafest Village concept will elevate networking, collaboration and the overall festival experience.”
TA president and group CEO of Havas India, south east and north Asia Rana Barua added: “Goafest is where ideas meet impact. This year, we aim to push creative boundaries further with ‘Ignite _____’. The AbbyY Awards Powered by One Show continue to be the gold standard of creative excellence, and this year’s edition will be nothing short of inspiring.”
Goafest 2025 organising committee chairman Jaideep Gandhi promised an even bigger spectacle, saying, “With new initiatives like Goafest Village, we are redefining engagement, learning and industry collaboration. Our mission is to propel India’s creative and marketing ecosystem onto the global stage.”
Havas Media Network India CEO and co-chair of the organising committee Mohit Joshi, added, “Tech, data and agility are rewriting advertising. At Goafest 2025, we’ll ignite powerful conversations that challenge norms and fuel ideas with real-world impact.”
“Goafest has always been a platform where the brightest minds in advertising, media, and marketing converge to exchange ideas and push creative boundaries. 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 honoring the best minds in the industry with the Abby Awards Powered by One Show,” added Adani group corporate branding Ajay Kakar.
Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani, highlighted the synergy between the festival and the brand’s mission: “As a platform redefining entertainment and advertising, we’re thrilled to partner with Goafest 2025. The theme ‘Ignite _____’ aligns perfectly with our vision of pushing creative and content boundaries.”
Drawing over 2,000 industry professionals annually, Goafest 2025 is set to be bigger, bolder and more immersive than ever. Expect a melting pot of creativity, commerce and culture—all under the Goan sun.
AD Agencies
Advertising Rocks Season 4 returns to Goafest 2026 with musical flair
Industry talent takes centre stage as music meets creativity at Goafest
MUMBAI: The spotlight is back on music and marketing as Advertising Rocks Season 4 gears up for a high-energy return at Goafest 2026, promising a louder and more vibrant celebration of creative talent within the industry.
Now in its fourth edition, the platform continues to carve a niche as a space where professionals from advertising, media and marketing step beyond boardrooms to showcase their musical side. Open to solo and duet performers, the competition will unfold across multiple rounds before culminating in a live finale at the festival. Shortlisted participants will also receive complimentary access to Goafest, adding to the appeal.
Each category will feature four finalists, with winners decided through a mix of jury evaluation and audience votes, making the experience interactive as well as competitive. The stakes are equally compelling, with cash prizes ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 1,00,000 across categories.
Reflecting on the journey so far, BBH former CEO Subhash Kamath said, “This will be the 4th edition of Advertising Rocks and every year, it’s become better and better. We have some amazing musical talent in our industry and what better stage to perform than at Goafest. I hope we get more entries this time and I’m really looking forward to hearing some fabulous talent.”
Echoing the sentiment, Havas Media Network India chief executive officer Mohit Joshi said, “Season 4 of Advertising Rocks perfectly captures the spirit of our industry, where creativity doesn’t end at the workplace, it finds expression in many forms. At Goafest 2026, we are excited to bring back Season 4, bigger and more vibrant, giving professionals a platform to showcase their musical talent.”
Registrations for the competition are currently open, with entries accepted until April 30. Participants are invited to submit their performances and take a shot at the stage.
Co-hosted by the Advertising Agencies Association of India and The Advertising Club, Goafest 2026 will be held from May 20 to 22 in Goa. With Advertising Rocks returning to the lineup, the festival is set to strike a chord that goes well beyond advertising, blending ideas with rhythm and a touch of showmanship.
