Mohit Joshi & Jaideep Gandhi on Goafest 2024: A New Chapter in Mumbai

For the first time ever, Goafest will be held in Mumbai, marking a significant change for this premier advertising festival. Despite the new location, the organisers promise that the event will retain the grandeur and impact that attendees have come to expect. Jaideep Gandhi Chairperson of the Goafest Organising Committee and Mohit Joshi CEO Havas Media Network India and Goafest 2024’s Co-chair, shared his insights on what this year's Goafest will offer.

"In terms of scale and experience, even though it is in Mumbai, we've maintained the same stature as previous Goafests. The impact remains unchanged, despite the challenge of shifting the venue in sixty days and incorporating all the elements that make Goafest the biggest festival. So, you will see the same impact and scale," Gandhi assured.

One of the major draws of Goafest is its diverse and engaging sessions. Mohit Joshi highlighted the exciting lineup for this year, which features notable industry legends and a variety of entertainment.

"All sessions will be very interesting. We'll start with industry legends like Harit Nagpal and Sanjeev Mehta, and have storytelling sessions by Neelesh Misra. We have a lot of entertainment, including music, Bollywood celebrities, and cricket celebrities. Every session will focus on adaptability, showcasing how we are reskilling, unskilling, relearning, and managing changes positively," Joshi explained.

Gandhi echoed this sentiment, emphasising the difficulty attendees will face in choosing between so many compelling sessions. "it will be difficult to choose because all the master classes and sessions are interesting and engaging."
Sponsorship and support for Goafest have been growing steadily, with new and diverse companies showing interest. Gandhi noted, "Every year we see increasing participation and support. As our President Prashanth Kumar mentioned, it's about support, not just sponsorship. Clients have increasingly supported us over the past two to three years. This year, we have seen a growing interest from new companies, including production companies, expanding beyond media companies."

A significant new partnership with D&AD aims to elevate the educational aspect of Goafest. Gandhi elaborated on this collaboration, saying, "Goafest is built on four pillars: knowledge, networking, celebration (with awards), and fun. As Goafest has grown, it has become our responsibility to focus on skill development in the industry. This year we have partnered with D&AD to hold specially curated masterclasses and workshops to teach delegates and participants specific subjects, thereby upgrading overall knowledge. This partnership was solidified during a meeting in Seoul with Kevin and Jo Jackson, where it was decided that D&AD should be a part of Goafest.”

Joshi also highlighted new elements that will be introduced this year, particularly the increased participation of senior clients and industry bodies. "There is more client participation this year. You'll see more sessions with clients, including CMO and CEO sessions. The composition of the event is evolving, incorporating more client participation and sessions from industry bodies like IAA, ASCI, ISA, IOAA, India Chapter of IAA and many more. It's becoming an industry event where everyone comes together to discuss adapting and improving their skills."

For first-time attendees, especially Gen Z and millennials, Goafest promises a mix of entertainment and learning. "There will be a lot of entertainment and learning opportunities, including master classes by D&AD. New age influencers will also be present, creating an environment conducive to learning. Attendees can also learn from industry legends and sports figures like Sourav Ganguly, Sanjeev Mehta, and Harit Nagpal. Even WARC is conducting an interesting workshop at Goafest," Joshi mentioned.

Gandhi summed up the transformative impact of Goafest on the advertising fraternity, highlighting its role in fostering inclusivity and continuous growth. "Goafest promotes inclusivity, bringing together various industry bodies and increasing client participation. The scale of the event continues to grow, adding new elements each year. It provides a platform for industry professionals to showcase and upgrade their skills, celebrate talent, and enjoy the awards. Since starting with two master classes in 2017, we now have more than fifteen, demonstrating our commitment to growth and skill development in the advertising industry."

Reflecting on the festival's legacy, Jaideep Gandhi added, "Visionaries like Sundar Swamy, Arvind Sharma, Colvyn Harris, Ambi Parameswaran, Nagesh Alai, Nakul Chopra, Ashish Bhasin, Sam Balsara, and Shashi Sinha have been key pillars of shaping and scaling Goafest to this magnitude over the last 16 years. Each one of them made unique contributions that made the festival larger, and relevant each year."

With its move to Mumbai and a host of new features and partnerships, Goafest 2024 is set to be a landmark event that will continue to inspire and evolve the advertising industry.