GECs
Kentaro Kimura joins Adfest 2014
MUMBAI: Japan’s most acclaimed advertising executives, Kentaro Kimura, will head up next year’s direct lotus & promo lotus category as its jury president.
Hakuhodo Kettle executive creative director and co-CEO Kimura joined the agency he founded in 2006 after joining Hakuhodo in 1992. “The more ways we have to communicate, the more important human nature becomes. What moves people? Why do people take action? It may be an activity for social good, moving content, or a platform for experiences. There are a lot of possibilities for activating people. It is these inventions to move people that make the Direct Lotus and Promo Lotus categories so exciting,” he said.
Kimura says the theme of Adfest 2014, ‘Co-Create the Future’, gives him a positive, hopeful feeling.
“In the next 10 years, we will face more change than we did in the last 10 years. Our industry will also change a great deal. We communication professionals will be able to do more than ever before. Today, a truly brilliant campaign can cross borders and influence millions of people. We cannot only adapt ourselves to a given future, but also create our own future,” said Kimura.
Adfest president Jimmy Lam said, “Many of the campaigns created by Hakuhodo Kettle Inc. have changed the way people think about advertising. Kimura is a visionary when it comes to using technology to forge new ways of communicating with consumers, making him the perfect choice to lead the Direct Lotus and Promo Lotus jury next year.”
Adfest 2014 will take place on 6-8 March at the Royal Cliff Hotels Group in Pattaya, Thailand.
GECs
Pocket FM partners with Indian Open Pickleball 2026
Audio platform joins forces with major tournament to engage young fans.
MUMBAI: Pocket FM just served up a perfect partnership because when audio storytelling meets pickleball’s fast-paced rallies, even the sidelines start listening. Pocket FM, the world’s largest audio series platform, has announced a strategic partnership with Indian Open 2026, one of India’s biggest pickleball tournaments organised by Global Sports in Hyderabad in association with Pickl’Out and Crosscourts Sports Club.
The collaboration brings Pocket FM’s immersive storytelling to one of the fastest-growing emerging sports in India. Pickleball, known for its accessibility, energy and strong community appeal, is rapidly attracting younger, digitally savvy audiences making it an ideal platform for Pocket FM to deepen its cultural relevance.
Under the partnership, Pocket FM will enjoy extensive on-ground and digital visibility throughout the tournament, which begins on 1 April 2026. This includes centre court branding, venue-wide presence, presenting rights for select matches, player lounge branding, team jersey integration, and strong integration across live streaming and social media.
Pocket FM, SVP and global head for brand marketing and partnerships Vineet Singh said, “Pickleball is building a strong connection with young and engaged audiences in India. This partnership allows us to connect with people in a meaningful way through strong on-ground presence and digital visibility.”
Global Sports and Indian Open 2026, founder Hemal Jain added, “Partnering with Pocket FM adds an exciting new dimension to the experience. As a brand that has built deep resonance with young audiences, Pocket FM is a strong fit for the energy and ambition of this tournament.”
The move reflects Pocket FM’s continued strategy of aligning with emerging passion points and building deeper engagement with communities driven by competition and shared experiences.
In a country where sports and stories often collide, Pocket FM isn’t just sponsoring a tournament, it’s turning every rally into a narrative, proving that the best audio moments sometimes happen when the paddle meets the ball.
