Day 1 of Goafest 2025 opened with prestige and power as the Abby One Show Awards celebrated the finest in media and publishing. Leading the charge was GroupM’s Wavemaker, crowned Media Agency of the Year, while ABP Pvt Ltd took home the esteemed title of Publisher of the Year. The evening set the tone for excellence, innovation, and creativity in Indian advertising.
Wavemaker Steals the Show
With a remarkable performance, Wavemaker India emerged as the top performer at the Media Abbys, clinching a stunning 19 metals, including the only Grand Prix awarded on Day 1. The standout campaign—‘India’s New Local Language’ for Dream11—won in the Innovative Use of Audio Visual sub-category and solidified Wavemaker’s dominance. Their final tally stood at:
• 1 Grand Prix
• 6 Golds
• 8 Silvers
• 4 Bronzes
• Total Points: 124
Notably, Mondelez Foods India stood out among Wavemaker’s clients, contributing 8 of the 19 metals, making it the agency’s five-star performer.
Also taking the podium were Mindshare with 13 metals (4 Golds, 4 Silvers, 5 Bronzes | 76 Points), and EssenceMediacom with 6 metals (2 Golds, 2 Silvers, 2 Bronzes | 36 Points). Following them closely were:
• Initiative Media: 3 Golds, 1 Silver
• DDB Mudra Max: 2 Golds, 1 Bronze
• Tribes Communication Pvt. Ltd: 2 Golds
• Lodestar UM, Mindshare Bangladesh, and Publicis Media: 1 Gold each
In total, 23 Golds were awarded in the Media Abbys category, underscoring the fierce competition and high-caliber creativity on display.
ABP Pvt Ltd: Publisher of the Year
While no Grand Prix was awarded in the Publisher Abbys this year, ABP Pvt Ltd triumphed with 30 points, earning the title of Publisher of the Year. Their winning entries included powerful campaigns such as:
• Cadbury Gaane Mishti Utsabe Rasabanga for Cadbury Dairy Milk [Gold]
• Sunlight Durga Puja Campaign for Sunlight [Silver]
• School Football League (SFL) for Anandabazar Patrika Ltd [Silver]
• TSP – Dokra [Silver]
• Santanan Dehi Breaking The Bias 2024 for The Telegraph [Bronze]
Bennett Coleman & Co Ltd followed closely with 28 points, bagging 1 Gold, 3 Silvers, and a Merit. Jagran Prakashan Ltd secured the third position with 2 Golds and 1 Silver, totaling 22 points.
A Legacy of Creativity
The 56th edition of the Abby Awards set new benchmarks this year, with an all-time high of 4,076 entries, reflecting the growing global footprint of Indian advertising.
• Creative Entries: 2,678
• Media Entries: 1,398
• Shortlists: 1,756 (Creative: 1,265 | Media: 491)
• Participating Organizations: 233 (Creative: 164 | Media: 69)
From advertising giants to rising innovators, the event saw participation from creative and media agencies, digital firms, client brands, publishers, content studios, broadcasters, and design houses, reflecting the expansive scope and influence of modern media.
As Goafest 2025 continues, Day 1 set the bar high—with Wavemaker and ABP leading the way and the industry watching with pride.
