A South Asian advertising festival for all people who believe in the power of ideas
ASIA-PACIFIC – INDIA, FEBRUARY 13, 2013 – The Goafest Committee has announced the highlights of Goafest 2013 – scheduled on April 5 and 6 at the Zuri White Sands in Goa. This year the festival theme is ‘Just what you unexpected’.
"For Goafest 2013 our focus will be to strengthen the excellent new initiatives that were launched last year," said Nakul Chopra, chairman of Goafest Committee AAAI. "Last year we opened Goafest toall nations in South Asia and we also brought strong client participation through the Marketing Wizards initiative – our endeavor this year is to further expand and grow these initiatives – apart from of course celebrating creativity and excellence."
"Goafest is the festival for all in South Asia who are involved in creating ideas," added Arvind Sharma, president of the Advertising Agencies Association of India. "Be it other countries in this region, the marketing fraternity or other allied professionals who participate in creating ideas – we want them all to equally own and participate in Goafest. We are taking a virtual conference/road show to neighboring South Asian countries to increase awareness for Goafest and invite active participation."
Last year, Goafest saw the introduction of Marketing Wizards an initiative whereby young client delegates could not only avail of the special under 30 delegate fees – but were also provided free accommodation – availed by over 70 delegates from client organizations. This year Goafest is targeting 150. In addition, Goafestwill continue to have strong participation from senior clients in the Knowledge seminars, as was the case in 2012. "Clients are our equal partners in creating ideas. We naturally strive to have their equal participation in Goafest, both as speakers and delegates. This year we aim to attract participation from over 75 client organizations and hopefully over 250 people," added Chopra.
For the sixth consecutive year, AAAI and The Advertising Club will come together to deliver India’s premier awards that celebrate creativity. "We have a well oiled and extremely robust process now in place for the awards. We will take on board improvements from our past learnings and continue to follow the stringent and now well accepted norms for the Abby’s in 2013," said Shashi Sinha, president of The Advertising Club and chairman of the Awards Governing Council, the joint body between the AAAI and The Advertising Club running the awards.
Abby’s will continue to be open to all who want to participate – and membership of AAAI or The Advertising Club is not required. "Last year we had over 225 organizations that sent entries – this year we hope to cross 250," said Sinha.
Continuing with changes that were inducted in 2012 – there will be a Grand Prix for all nine verticals including Film, Print, Radio, Out of Home, Ambient, Design, Interactive Digital, Direct and Integrated. As there will be a Grand Prix for Media as well.
Media Awards will be held on April 5 – together with Digital, Design and Direct. All other Creative awards will be held on April 6.
The Industry Conclave will per tradition be held on the day before Goafest – April 4. This year the Conclave will focus only speakers from client organizations to bring perspective to our industry.
