Narayan Devanathan explores new intersections of intelligence and imagination

Adgully’s premier Marketing event, CMOs’ Charcha – Delhi Chapter 2024, took place on January 23, at Radisson Blu Plaza in Mahipalpur, New Delhi.

Narayan Devanathan, Group Chief Strategic Advisor, dentsu India, on Back to the future - New Intersections of Intelligence and Imagination.

At the outset Devanathan said that more than “gyaan”, he hoped to offer some “provocations” and added that “I hope to provoke each of us about the paths that we are embarking upon, about the future roadmaps that we are creating – both for ourselves and our organisations, but also collectively for our industry and for the world that we live in and for the communities that we serve and engage with.”

In an era where conventional wisdom declares that business and politics should remain distant, Devanathan boldly foretells a unique blend of these realms in 2024, marking a significant turning point. He envisions a path weaving through the unexplored crossroads of intelligence and imagination, a journey we are all collectively venturing into.

The key, he suggests, is to embrace open-mindedness and explore the myriad opportunities that lie ahead. Returning to the fundamental question every business must confront – why do we exist? Are we the sought-after entities that people eagerly anticipate, or do we unwittingly obstruct their quest? Devanathan challenges businesses to consider whether they aim to be a memorable presence or an easily skipped interruption, emphasising the need for perpetual recognition of the desire to be entertaining, if not outright useful or intriguing.

In a world dominated by a post-truth narrative, Devanathan sheds light on the challenge of distinguishing fact from fiction, especially when repeated narratives become perceived truths. Drawing from the past decade’s quest for authenticity in brand custodianship, he acknowledges the contemporary ease of creating deceptive content that closely mirrors reality.

Acknowledging the apprehension associated with embracing novelty, Devanathan advocates a courageous approach to experimentation. He reminds the audience that without affording ourselves the opportunity to fail, the door to discovering innovative pathways remains firmly shut. It’s a call to break free from the shackles of fear and uncertainty, urging businesses to take that leap into the unknown to uncover uncharted territories of success and innovation. In a world inundated with technological prowess, the only real risk is not taking risks at all.

These are edited excerpts from Narayan Devanathan’s keynote address delivered at the CMOs’ Charcha - Delhi Chapter 2024. For the complete address, watch below: