India on global ad-map

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: India has been attracting attention around the globe. Just last week we were in the news for the Forbes rankings and the glorious Jaguar takeover by the Tatas. From Bollywood to the BRIC Report, India has caught the world’s imagination.

It’s much the same for the Indian Advertising Industry. Wins at Cannes, invitations to judge at the most prestigious award forums, senior industry leaders being given assignments with a global footprint, our creative talent being sought out for outsourcing campaigns - we’ve made a mark on the global stage.

We believe that Goafest has planted our country firmly on the Global festival map. Some legends of our business from around the world will travel to India to participate in the fest this year.

The AAAI believed that the country deserved an advertising festival on the lines of Cannes and the AdFest. We were keen on having an awards show that encouraged participation from agencies across the country.

More importantly, the AAAI wanted to provide a platform where youngsters could meet with the legends of the industry. We chose Goa because it represented the vibrancy and passion that our work demands - and the promise of sunshine, great food, and the beach, of course!

For a festival in just its third year, we’ve done well. Participation in the GoaFest is, perhaps, next only to Cannes. I cannot think of any other festival (apart from Cannes), which hosts more than 2,500 delegates.

In terms of buzz, passion, and enthusiasm, I can only refer to Trevor Beattie who attended the fest last year and spoke volumes about it. This is a special year because we’ve managed to pull the entire industry together. Everyone’s participating in one form or the other. The AAAI and Ad Club Mumbai have come together to add the extra glamour, zing, and enthusiasm that the award show requires.

In some ways, the Advertising Industry’s growth has mirrored India’s - small town success sagas; the popularity of Indian language communication.Advertising, today, has a defining influence in popular culture. The industry continues to play its part in the Indian economic boom.

The Goafest stands for all that makes Indian advertising a subject of the global attention. It can only get bigger, better and attract greater recognition, much like the country it represents.