AD Agencies
White Rivers Media bags DIZO’s digital mandate
Mumbai: White Rivers Media bags the digital mandate of DIZO — a global technology brand and the first brand in the realme TechLife ecosystem. The brand comes with realme’s support in 3 aspects – Industrial Design, Supply Chain, and AIoT experience that works perfectly with the realme Link app.
Being an independent, full-service digital marketing agency, White Rivers Media will curate the digital strategies for DIZO to promote and elevate user experience in AIoT. The brand will focus on Smart Entertainment, Smart Home, Smart Care, and Accessories for its consumers. The agency has conceptualized the brand launch video with the vision of establishing the brand not just for the young generation but also for those who are young at heart.
DIZO social media lead Sugandha Varshney said, “With DIZO we aim to break the clutter and offer a discerning young generation of tech enthusiasts with differentiated technology that is aligned to their needs, complements their individuality, empowers them, and becomes an extension of their personality. We are leveraging our years of research at realme and a profound understanding of consumers and their needs. The team at White Rivers Media understands that we intend to keep the consumers at the very epicenter of the technology. They have helped us curate a digital campaign that will help us reach our target audience.”
White Rivers Media co-founder & right brain Mitesh Kothari said, “With people spending most of their time home, we have witnessed a gradual shift in their mentality — they are now willing to spend more to optimize comfort in their home lives. With the launch of DIZO during a time when the experience economy has slowed down, we are expanding our horizons towards creating versatile digital tech experiences and creating a sphere of tech-empowered life through AIoT.”
DIZO, being the first brand in the realme TechLife ecosystem, is launched with an aim of creating a variety of AIoT solutions to meet the varied needs of the young and vibrant generation of the world. The brand’s focus is to provide the latest, innovative, and high-quality AIoT products in Smart Entertainment, Smart Home, Smart Care, and Accessories for its consumers.
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.
