MAM
Jury duty or ad brief? Raj Kamble lays down the real test of creative craft at Goafest
MUMBAI: It was less red carpet, more war room as Famous Innovations founder & CCO Raj Kamble took centre stage on Day three of Goafest 2025. Speaking at the session titled ‘What Ignited the Jury Room?’, Kamble broke down the behind-the-scenes chaos, chemistry, and cold truths of judging at one of the industry’s most-watched award marathons.
With over 500 entries to sift through in just three days, Kamble said the pressure was nothing short of a creative crucible. “You have 15 restless judges, limited sleep, and 30-second coffees. It’s not glamorous. It’s gladiatorial”, he quipped, setting the tone for an unfiltered dive into how work truly gets weighed.
At the heart of his message was a blunt reminder: industry cliques still exist. “Networks can feel like cartels. But craft can still break through if it punches above its weight”, Kamble remarked. He urged creators to think of their case study videos not as routine documentation but as persuasive pitches. “It’s your best ad – and the jury is your target audience”.
In a time-crunched jury room, the first few seconds can make or break a campaign. Kamble emphasised, “Hook them in the first seven seconds. Don’t save your best for last – they may not get there”.
He challenged the cookie-cutter rulebook too. “There’s no law that says your case study has to be two minutes long. If your story needs three, take it. If it needs one, be sharper”.
Most importantly, he differentiated between ideas and execution. “A strong idea can fail because of poor storytelling. Show the change, not just the communication”.
Closing his talk, Kamble urged agencies to honour both their ambition and their audience. “Don’t just chase a Lion. Chase impact. That’s what gets the jury talking”.
Brands
UP govt, HGS unit to skill one lakh youth in digital push
MoU targets jobs, training and future ready talent across state
MUMBAI: Government of Uttar Pradesh has joined hands with OneOTT Intertainment Limited, the broadband arm of Hinduja Global Solutions, to train one lakh youth, signalling a fresh push towards jobs in the digital economy.
The memorandum of understanding, signed with the Employment Department Uttar Pradesh, aims to bridge the gap between skills and industry needs while opening up employment pathways for young people across the state.
The agreement was formalised by principal secretary, labour and employment, M. K. Shanmugha Sundaram and whole-time director, Hinduja Global Solutions and MD and CEO, OneOTT Intertainment Limited, Vynsley Fernandes, in the presence of labour minister Anil Rajbhar.
Under the partnership, OneOTT Intertainment Limited will roll out training programmes, workshops and knowledge-sharing platforms designed to equip youth with skills aligned to a rapidly digitising economy. The initiative will also include research inputs, technical guidance and policy-level support to ensure effective execution.
Principal secretary, labour and employment, M. K. Shanmugha Sundaram, said, “This collaboration will help align skill development programmes with actual industry needs and prepare the youth of Uttar Pradesh for emerging opportunities in the digital services sector.”
Hinduja Global Solutions whole-time director, and OneOTT Intertainment Limited MD and CEO Vynsley Fernandes said, “India’s progress is closely linked to strengthening the capabilities of its young workforce. At HGS, we see skills evolving alongside technology, and partnerships like this help build a stronger digital ecosystem.”
The state government will facilitate coordination across departments and institutions, ensuring the programmes reach the right audiences and deliver measurable outcomes.
As digital infrastructure expands and technology reshapes job markets, initiatives like this are positioning skill development not just as training, but as a gateway to opportunity for the next generation.
