iCubesWire’s India Influencer Conclave 2025, a grand success in Ahmedabad

The iCubesWire India Influencer Conclave 2025 took place at Palladium Ahmedabad on January 31, 2025, bringing together top influencers, marketing experts, and brands for a day packed with insights, networking, and meaningful conversations about the future of influencer marketing.

With India’s influencer marketing industry on an upward trajectory, this event was the perfect time to discuss how brands and creators can collaborate more effectively in this ever-evolving space.

The event kicked off with a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Do celebrity endorsements really work? Recent survey reveals surprising truth.” Moderated by Vibhuti Bhatt, Director, One Advertising & Communications Services Limited, the panel featured, Sanjay Chakraborty, Founder & Chief Marketing Communication Advisor, ES S-K-SEE Consultancy, Yuvraj Patel, Director, Kitchen Xpress, Vishakha Kriplani, Influencer Marketing Manager, Odoo, Meghna Mittal, Co-Founder & Head of Revenue, Hoopr, and Maulik Thaker, Marketing Lead, Silver Pumps & Motors.

The discussion focused on how consumer behavior is shifting and whether big celebrity endorsements still hold the same power they used to. Panelists shared insights from a recent survey by iCubesWire, showing how consumers now trust micro-influencers more than A-list celebrities because they feel more relatable and authentic.

One of the event’s most engaging discussions was the Fireside Chat on “Should influencers be given more artistic license, or do guidelines protect the industry?”. Moderated by Dr. Kushal Sanghvi, TEDx Speaker, the panel featured, Jignesh Shah, Head Media & Digital Marketing, Adani Wilmar, Priyaratna Suryawanshi, GM & Head of Marketing, R for Rabbit, Aarti Samant, Digital and Brand Marketing Consultant, and Dr. Falguni Vasavada, Professor, MICA. 

The conversation explored the fine line between creative freedom and industry regulations, discussing how influencers should maintain authenticity while also following ethical guidelines.

Jignesh Shah, Head Media & Digital Marketing, Adani Wilmar, emphasized the importance of influencers in shaping marketing strategies, saying, “I follow content creators like Raj Shamani and Food Pharmer. From a business perspective, there are many great content creators, such as Your Food Lab, producing high-quality content. I closely observe their work to understand their strategies and identify any gaps where we can improve. This helps when we collaborate with agencies to create videos or work with other influencers.”

One of the standout moments of the event was Ekta Sandhir’s session on The Evolution of Storytelling: How Technology Has Transformed Content Sharing.

Sharing her excitement about being part of the conclave, Ekta Sandhir said, “Being at the India Influencer Conclave 2025 in my city, Ahmedabad, is truly exciting! This space brings together brand experts, creative minds, and seasoned marketing professionals with decades of experience. It’s fabulous to listen to them. Today, I’m just a learner and a listener.”

Sanjay Singal, CEO, Wagh Bakri Tea Group, shared insights on how influencers are redefining the food and beverage market, stating, “Influencers are playing a crucial role in various industries, including e-commerce, grocery, and marketplaces, which have only recently started leveraging their potential. The impact of influencers extends beyond just showcasing products, they actively engage audiences in a way that traditional advertising cannot. Imagine the power of having someone personally endorsing a packet of tea, biscuits, or noodles rather than a brand merely displaying the product.”

Prateek Lalani, Co-founder & CFO, Cravings, spoke about how influencer marketing is rapidly evolving, saying, “It’s growing at an incredible pace. But more importantly, the true voice of the influencer, one that aligns with the brand’s credibility, is what really matters. Earlier, there was a gap, but now influencers are becoming more aware of brand expectations. They understand that they serve as the perfect bridge between brands and audiences. From an audience perspective, people today look for authenticity. They connect with influencers who genuinely align with a brand’s values. Influencers are now embracing that role, making this industry one of the fastest-growing right now.”

Wrapping up the event, Dr. Falguni Vasavada, Professor, MICA, highlighted the importance of blending data-driven marketing with human creativity.“Nothing can take away the human face from the content creation process. Whether it is humor, whether it is sarcasm, whether it is emotions or storytelling, nobody is going to take that away. You are going to get more power through data, through logic, through the rationale that AI can provide. But at the end of the day, generative AI is just an aggregator of knowledge that is already published by people like you and me.”

Closing the event on a powerful note, Sahil Chopra, Founder & CEO, iCubesWire, summed up the future of influencer marketing. “This year’s conclave highlighted what happens when creativity meets real connection. The industry is maturing, with genuine storytelling and originality driving every campaign. Brands and influencers are co-creators of experiences that resonate deeply. The goal is to move beyond fleeting trends to create trust and lasting impact. What we’re seeing now is merely the opening act for a space that’s changing how audiences engage.”

The India Influencer Conclave 2025 proved that influencer marketing is here to stay, and it’s only going to get bigger and better. With brands, content creators, and marketing professionals coming together to collaborate and innovate, the future of digital influence looks brighter than ever.

Also Read: iCubesWire hosts successful India Influencer Conclave Chapter 2