1,194 registrations received from 109 companies in the first week
March 04, 2008
exchange4media Mumbai bureau

It’s only been a week since registrations were thrown open for GoaFest 2008, and by evening of March 3, AAAI had already received an overwhelming 1,194 registrations. AAAI officials informed that as many 109 companies had registered so far, of which 30-40 were advertising agencies.

This year, once again in an effort to encourage participation of talented young advertising professionals, GoaFest is offering under-30 participants free airfare and a free two-day hotel stay in Goa, subject to city and agency wise quotas. The deadline to avail of these packages is March 7.

Jagdip Bakshi, Chairman, GoaFest Committee, said, “Last year, GoaFest was a resounding success with nearly 2,300 delegates participating, of whom over 800 were under-30. This year, with over 1,100 delegates already registered, it promises to be an even bigger success.”

Bakshi added, “It is heartening to see that India’s premier advertising awards festival, GoaFest, is being supported by the advertising fraternity. It is encouraging that advertising and media professionals are keen to participate and join this melting pot of talent from India and around the world.”

GoaFest 2008 aims to provide an uncommon learning environment for India’s young creative, marketing and media professionals and an opportunity for all professionals from India and abroad to interact with each other. The Festival also presents an opportunity to exchange notes with not just Indian advertising gurus, but also meet international personalities, well known in their respective fields.

This year, GoaFest has invited several stalwarts from the advertising world, including Garrick Hamm, Creative Partner, Williams Murray Hamm; Donald Gunn of the Gunn Report; One Club’s Kevin Swanepoel; John Harlow, Founder of Naked; Craig Davis, Worldwide Creative Chief, JWT; Scott Goodson, Founder & CEO of Strawberryfrog; Stephen Gatfield, CEO, Lowe Worldwide; and Herman Vaske of Emotional Network.

Like last year, GoaFest 2008 would be held at Cavelossim Beach, Goa, in a specially created ‘Advillage’. The Festival kicks off on April 3 with an ‘Industry Conclave’, where the who’s who of advertising and media would reflect and debate on issues and challenges facing the industry. The media awards would be presented on April 4, while the Abby at GoaFest would be presented on the April 5.