GOAFEST 2019, the collective event by AAAi and AdClub. It used to be really fun when it was held at the Cavasillium beach. Oh! It was hot and humid. You needed sunglasses, a hat and suntan lotion as standard accessories to navigate the venue. I have been one of those stupid’s who questioned the relevance… Read More »
I was recently telling someone that I am one of the few who has attended every season of Goafest since inception. I was stumped when she asked, what has changed and what should change at Goafest. Moreover, she wanted to know, why should someone attend Goafest? In spite of my being a loyalist, the questions… Read More »
Will GOAFEST 2019 finally change everything. Unfinished stories have an uncanny feeling. Expectations and imaginations play havoc with the sense of directions. They leave you starving for that last chapter that will wrap the things as per your thread. So, I am going to share one such story seeking an end. It started some years… Read More »
Pattaya Adfest is my favourite advertising-communication festival. The 2019 festival came to an end last Saturday. Due to some personal emergencies, I had to cancel my trip at the last moment. India won 16 Lotus awards, and we are aware of the work. I have been following the fest online and keeping a tab on… Read More »
Recently one of the top newspapers published a corrigendum on its circulation claim. Another newspaper hinted that the competition was lying. And a few others’ claims went unchallenged. When claims happen, you know the IRS (Indian Readership Survey) or ABC (Audit Bureau of Circulation) reports have been released. Reacting to competition, calling them ‘liars’ and… Read More »
Times have changed. The filters have changed. The way one interacts with advertising itself is changing. The country’s cultural fabric and tolerance levels are changing. In this scenario, one can understand the trolling of some of the brand’s cause marketing-led communication on social media. Case in point HUL Surf Excel (Daag Acche Hai –Holi) and… Read More »
I was speaking with someone in brand-marketing consultancy and was not surprised at how myopically media can operate. She was excited when she shared the idea with me last month. It was a smart radio innovation. I told her, why it will not work. But she wouldn’t accept the reality. We ended up with a… Read More »
The IAA World Congress held at Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre (LBICC), Kochi from February 20 to 22 was a grand success. Most of the delegates I met were satisfied with the sessions, set-up and infrastructure. Time to congratulate Srinivasan Swamy, Ramesh Narayan, Pradeep Guha, and the extended team of IAA India, sponsors, delegates and… Read More »
Magazines losing circulation is no longer news. They can’t think of cover price increase is a reality. Advertisers no longer consider magazines as an integral part of their campaign. And digital content monetisation has not been easy. Magazines must seek fresher perspectives. The argument that goes against magazines is simple. We are living in a… Read More »
IAA WORLD CONGRESS starts tomorrow. It’s a two-day of jam-packed sessions with the evening parties helping you to unwind. There may be exceptions, but it’s impossible for a delegate to attend all the sessions. To get the best out of the conference, including networking, one must choose and pick the sessions of their like, interest… Read More »
