AD Agencies
OMD brings in Harsh Sachdeva to look after strategy for Apple account
Mumbai: Harsh Sachdeva has been brought into OMD India to service the Apple business account as director of strategy.
Prior to his being hired by OMD, Sachdeva was associate account director AdGlobal360 (which was his second association with the agency. He stayed with AdGlobal360 for three years from December 2021 till December 2024 servicing the Maruti Suzuki account and helped launch India’s biggest auto metaverse for the car maker.
He joined the agency from Baazi Games where he was employed for 10 months between March 2021 and December 2021 and was responsible for acquisition, retention and growth of two of the most popular verticals: Poker and Rummy.
During his first stint at AdGloab360 (between January 2019 and March 2021), Sachdeva handled all digital initiatives of Maruti Suzuki True Value and Maruti Suzuki Subscribe. He did such a good job that he was recalled in December 2021.
Before AdGlobal360, he worked with RailYatri.in (digital campaign specialist, August 2017-July2018), Kensico Digital Marketing (manager-client success; March 2016-July 2017), and Money Matters Club (corporate & PR head; August 2014-February 2017).
Sachdeva completed his MBA in marketing & operations from ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education in Hyderabad.
According to him, the opportunity to work with OMD is a significant step forward, and “I’m looking forward to shaping impactful strategies and collaborating with a brilliant team.”
Sachdeva has built a reputation of giving attention to detail and also developing cutting-edge winning digital strategies for clients such as Maruti Suzuki. That should hold him in good stead while contributing to Apple’s strategic moves in India.
AD Agencies
Goafest 2026 set for 20–22 May in Goa
South Asia’s marquee advertising festival returns with ABBY Awards powered by One Show and promises bigger conversations on creativity and innovation
GOA: The advertising industry’s annual pilgrimage is locked in. The 19th edition of Goafest will take place in Goa from 20 to 22 May 2026, bringing together the biggest names in advertising, media and marketing for three days of ideas, networking and celebration.
Announced jointly by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC), the festival will once again host the ABBY Awards powered by One Show 2026 — widely regarded as the region’s most coveted creative honours — recognising outstanding work across advertising and media.
Launched in 2006, Goafest has evolved into the industry’s marquee gathering, drawing more than 2,000 professionals each year. Beyond the awards, the event has become a forum for big debates, future-facing ideas and the occasional industry soul-searching.
Srinivasan K Swamy, president of the Advertising Agencies Association of India, said the festival remains a crucible for industry thought and collaboration. “Goafest has always been a melting pot of ideas, creativity and camaraderie. We aim to spark new conversations, fresh perspectives and fuel the future of advertising and marketing. It is an occasion for the industry to come together, celebrate excellence and engage in meaningful conversations about the future of our craft.”
Dheeraj Sinha, president of The Advertising Club, underlined the legacy of the ABBY Awards, now in their 57th year. “Goafest has always been synonymous with creativity, collaboration and industry excellence. The ABBY Awards powered by One Club continue to push boundaries and set new creative benchmarks year after year. In its 57th year, the awards continue to raise the bar, and this year’s edition will be even more inspiring, bringing together the brightest minds in the industry.”
For organisers, the festival has grown beyond a calendar event. Jaideep Gandhi, vice president of AAAI and chairman of the Goafest 2026 organising committee and founder of Another Idea, said the property has become a legacy for the industry. “In its 19th year, Goafest is no longer just an event — it is a legacy we are privileged to carry forward. It is a unifying force that brings together the various industry associations across advertising and marketing under one roof. I am deeply grateful to the stalwarts who envisioned this remarkable property, and it is heartening that some of them continue to be actively involved in its journey.”
The organisers promise that the upcoming edition will dial things up a notch. Mohit Joshi, co-chair of the Goafest 2026 organising committee and chief executive officer of Havas Media India, said the festival is gearing up for a bigger, more immersive format. “Over the past 18 editions, Goafest has evolved into a premier platform that celebrates creativity, innovation and the dynamic transformation of our industry. This year Goafest will be more impactful than ever. It will introduce new formats, immersive engagements and high-calibre discussions that have never been done before.”
“With a larger scale, an inspiring line-up of speakers and a focus on cutting-edge ideas,” Joshi added, “Goafest 2026 is set to redefine the way our industry comes together to learn, collaborate and celebrate.”
Co-hosted by the Advertising Agencies Association of India and The Advertising Club, the festival continues to position itself as South Asia’s premier advertising gathering — where ideas collide, creativity gets crowned and the industry takes a long, hard look at where it is headed next.
