The sunlit shores of Goa welcomed India’s most influential names in advertising, media, and branding as Goafest 2025 kicked off with a power-packed Day 1 press conference that set the tone for what promises to be the biggest and boldest edition of the festival to date.

A Bigger Venue for Bigger Dreams

Opening the session in a relaxed black sweatshirt, Prasanth Kumar, President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and CEO of GroupM South Asia, acknowledged the buzz and excitement. “We’ve seen a lot of positive turnouts. Changing the venue was intentional—it’s about giving this festival the larger property it deserves,” he said.

Ajay Kakar, donning his signature pink shirt and representing the Adani Group as well as the ABBY Awards Governing Council, added, “It’s a ritual to welcome you all. This isn’t just an event, it’s a celebration of our entire community.”

The Only Show That Matters

Taking the conversation further, Rana Barua, Group CEO of Havas Group India, emphasized the unmatched relevance and scale of the ABBY One Show Awards. “There is no award of this size in the country. The number of agencies and entries is overwhelming—and that says something about the value this platform holds.”

Joining him, the Group CEO of FCB India, dressed in a blue blazer, echoed the sentiment: “By adding media into the mix, we’re now hosting the largest award show in the country.”

Barua further challenged the industry: “There’s just one national show to be a part of. If certain agencies aren’t participating, the question isn’t about the awards—it’s about them.”

Kakar chimed in diplomatically, “Even if a few agencies aren’t formally participating, their work is still being recognized. That’s how impactful this platform has become.”

A Festival of Experience

Mohit Joshi, Co-chair of the Goafest 2025 Organising Committee and CEO of Havas Media Network India, reflected on the broader vision: “We’re focused on creating an immersive experience. This year, participants are encouraged to take advantage of every aspect—be it masterclasses, networking, or content. We want the return on experience to be high.”

Jaideep Gandhi, Chairman of the Organising Committee and Founder of Another Idea, highlighted Goafest’s sustainability initiative: “We’re planting trees—one for each attendee. That’s 2,000 trees, symbolic of our commitment to a greener future.”

He also pointed to the inclusion of students in this year’s edition: “We’re offering young minds a chance to learn, connect, and grow with the best in the business.”

Creating Dialogue, Not Just Awards

One of the biggest introductions this year is the availability of jury chairs for open interaction. Kakar noted, “This opens a window for attendees to engage with the people shaping the future of our industry.”

Kumar summed up the ethos in his closing remarks: “We’ve got 25+ direct brands and over 50 marketers involved. So many masterclasses are already full, and new platforms are being introduced. For us, there’s no single measurement of success—it’s about creating a holistic, memorable experience.”

Looking Beyond Trophies

Kakar concluded with a heartfelt note: “For me personally, it’s not just about the awards or juries—it’s about everything that happens here together. The collaboration, the dialogue, the celebration—this is what makes Goafest special.”

As the curtains rose on Goafest 2025, the press conference was more than just an announcement—it was a call to the industry to show up, speak up, and soak in the spirit of creativity.