Goafest committee: learnings from 2014 and plans for 2015!

The 9th edition of Goafest ended applauds, appreciation, with high hopes and has left the sketch-board blank for the organizers to take it higher next year. This year not only saw a venue change, but also had new elements of fun-and-fair attached to it. While introduction of new categories came in as a breath of fresh air to the all parties involved, the award ceremony scaled the excitement quotient higher.

We at Adgully spoke to some members of the organising committee of Goafest to know about their learnings from the fest gone by and get an understanding of their plans for the following year.

Srinivasan Swamy, outgoing chairman of the festival and also CMD at RK Swamy BBDO, speaking of the immediate mandate for the Goafest committee said, “Technically Goafest 2014 Committee tenure ends with the event other than to pass bills and give feedback for the planning of the 2015 event. But one thing in everyone’s mind is to make this event the most inclusive one next year and meetings should take place in this regard early.” 

When asked about the expected changes Swamy said, “There are many things in my mind, but unfortunately I am not the owner of Goafest for me to announce these and implement them. I will put these to the larger industry group and hopefully some of these ideas will be embraced and implemented.”

Ajay Kakkar, CMO, Aditya Birla Group said, "In 2015 will be the 10th year for the Goafest, which is a unique forum that is for the industry, by the industry and of the industry. So it must be our endeavour to rally all the constituents together, to participate and partner us. Towards that end we must listen to all, debate with all and decide, with all - the future of Goafest and the future of our industry."

 

““Lots of learning have come to us this year and we will do a lot more things to make it work well next year”, said Ashish Bhasin, Chairman & CEO South Asia Dentsu Aegis Network, Chairman Posterscope and psLive - Asia Pacific. Adding further he said, “The aim and task in hand will be to get all the more agencies to participate in 2015, though hundred percent increase will not be possible but will encourage to receive as many as possible.”

Arvind Sharma, President, Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and former Chairman & CEO India Subcontinent at Leo Burnett, said, “I have to thank the delegates, sponsors, speakers and everybody who made this year’s Goafest an immense success. Host of changes we made this year injected a lot of freshness into Goafest 2014. Some of these were a change of venue, expansion of the festival into a three day event, addition of new award categories, bringing the Conclave into the main festival, addition of Leadership Summit focused on Brand India, addition to speakers’ roster, some Indians who have accomplished amazing success in related fields.”

Sharma states that many of the delegates called it the best Goafest ever! “Nearly 250 organizations entered the creative awards; over sixty entered the media awards and another over 60, broadcaster and publisher awards”, he added.

But the question arises, if Goafest is outsourced, won’t it get more millage in terms of participation from the industry and also get better sponsor interest?
Answering that Swamy said, “I don’t think outsourcing is the answer. I don’t know if there is such a company also! However, if there is someone interested or competent and can deliver better than what we are doing, I personally will not have a problem.”

Speaking about things that went wrong this year, Bhasin said, “A lot of things were acting like an issue with Goafest this year like elections, weather and dates to name a few. We will make an effort to ignore all the odds and learn from what went wrong this year. Though the entries and participation were less this year but the media coverage was near to breaking all records this year.” 

Raj Nayak, Secretary-Advertising Club of Bombay and CEO of Colors said, “It will be the 10th year of Goafest next year and I believe Goafest has evolved over the years and has moved on from just being an advertising festival to more categories and fraternities like broadcast, Public Relation and a full package for the entire eco-system of the communications industry. I think there were certain restrictions in terms of weather and venue but there are being great plans discussed for 2015 and will surely see a lot more participation from that of this year.”

In terms of changes to be implemented for Goafest 2015, Sharma stated, “Goafest belongs to the Indian advertising industry. It will choose a new committee that will be responsible for making the decisions for Goafest 2015 and taking it forward. My advice to the new committee will be to retain elements that are working but keep Goafest fresh and evolving. Getting agencies that stayed away this year, to participate will be one of the endeavours of the new committee.”

Sharma also mentioned that the addition of carefully chosen new categories will also be step forward- radio broadcasters and digital publishers awards; is an expected step. “My vote will also be for keeping the fest at a venue like Grand Hyatt- the right combination of indoors and outdoors. And the real god, as always, will be in the details; in the specific choices of venue, agenda, speakers, categories & juries, delegate fees and arrangements and how all the details are brought together. I have no doubt that the new committee makes choices that make Goafest even bigger and better,” Sharma added.

With so much of thought and planning already going into it, Goafest 2015 seems to be much more bigger and better already! We look forward to be a part of the same...