Decoding the evolution of storytelling at dentsu–e4m Digital Advertising Report launch

On the sidelines of the dentsu–e4m Digital Advertising Report 2026 launch on February 2, an esteemed panel of industry experts will come together to discuss how storytelling in advertising has evolved over the years. Driving the topic ‘Storytelling that builds a nation: Purpose, culture, and the new creative imagination’, the panellists will trace the shift from traditional brand narratives to purpose-led communication, mindful consumption and culturally rooted storytelling that resonates with today’s diverse audiences.

The panel will also highlight the growing influence of regional narratives and women-led creativity in shaping modern brand communication. With audiences seeking authenticity and representation, speakers will explore how brands are embracing local insights, vernacular platforms, and inclusive perspectives to build deeper emotional connections and drive long-term relevance in changing digital ecosystem.

As India’s audience universe grows younger, more diverse, and more values-driven, brands face a creative inflection point. The discussion will examine how creativity can move beyond campaigns to build enduring cultural capital and community belonging in the next decade of Indian media, making it the country’s soft power globally.

The panellists are Gaurav Mehta, Senior Director - Marketing and Strategic Capabilities, Eli Lilly and Company (India) Pvt. Ltd.; Darshana Shah, CMO, Aditya Birla Capital; Ashish Morone, Executive Vice President & Head - Brand, Marketing Communications & Retail Marketing, HDFC Bank; Mayura Nayak, Co-Founder & CRO, Huella; Santosh Krishnamoorthy, Head of Strategic Accounts, India, LinkedIn and Ravindra Sharma, Chief- Brand, Corp. Comm. & CSR, SBI Life Insurance. The session will be chaired by Amit Wadhwa, CEO, Dentsu Creative & Media Brands, South Asia, dentsu.

dentsu - e4m Digital Advertising Report 2026 launch on February 2.

The conference features a stellar line-up of speakers with top voices from the advertising, marketing and media world. The report launch promises to be a power-packed day, offering deep insights into the trends and strategies shaping the future of digital advertising in India and beyond.

While the Presenting Partner of the event is Amazon Ads, the Streaming Partner is Spotify and the Powered by Partner is LinkedIn. The Gold Partners are Mobavenue, Huella, ThinkResult & Segumento and the Communication Partner is Truecaller Ads.