Monday, March 23, 2026
MediaNews4U
  • Exclusive
  • Advertising
  • Media
    • Radio
    • Cable & DTH
    • Print
    • Digital Frontier
    • Gaming Nexus
  • Television
  • OTT
  • Ad-Tech
  • Marketing
  • Campaigns
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
    • Opinion
    • Think Through
    • Prescience 2023
    • Prescience 2024
  • People
  • Events
    • Leader Speak
    • STRAIGHT TALK
    • Gamechangers
    • Print & TV Summit
MediaNews4U
  • Exclusive
  • Advertising
  • Media
    • Radio
    • Cable & DTH
    • Print
    • Digital Frontier
    • Gaming Nexus
  • Television
  • OTT
  • Ad-Tech
  • Marketing
  • Campaigns
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
    • Opinion
    • Think Through
    • Prescience 2023
    • Prescience 2024
  • People
  • Events
    • Leader Speak
    • STRAIGHT TALK
    • Gamechangers
    • Print & TV Summit
MediaNews4U.com
Home Exclusive

Goafest 2023: The Final Countdown (2) – ‘Connections, creativity and a blast’

Medianews4u caught up with Manja's Prajato Guha Thakurta, Enormous' Ashish Khazanchi, Maitri's Ajith Kumar, Plainspeak's Laj Salam and Social Panga's Gaurav Arora ahead of India's largest advertising festival.

by Neethu Mohan
May 23, 2023
in Exclusive, Featured
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
Goafest 2023: The Final Countdown (2) - 'Connections, creativity and a blast'
Share Share ShareShare

“This year, it’s even more special”

Are you attending Goafest this year? How many editions have you attended so far?

Prajato Guha Thakurta
Prajato Guha Thakurta

Yes, I am. This year, it’s even more special because I’ll be attending Goafest not just as a participant but also as the Jury Chairman of the Brand Activation & Promotion category. I’ve attended Goafest almost every year, including its inaugural edition.

Unforgettable Goafest moment…

It definitely has to be the moment when a piece of work we had entered from then-JWT picked up a Grand Prix and we eventually won Agency of the Year.

What are you looking forward to the most?

Goafest has always been a great platform to not just see some of the finest work that the country’s top agencies are churning out, but also to share a chilled beer or twenty with old friends from the industry. The energy in Goafest is absolutely electric.

– Prajato Guha Thakurta, Founder & CCO, Manja


“It needs to be celebrated and cherished”

Are you attending Goafest this year? How many editions have you attended so far?

Ashish Khazanchi
Ashish Khazanchi

Yes, I am attending. Except two or three editions, I have attended all the editions of Goafest from the beginning.

Unforgettable Goafest moment…

There may have been many. Last edition was a great moment, we attended it without much hope for the awards. But ended up being the fourth highest medal winners. As an independent agency, it’s always a joyous moment to be in the top five agencies in the country.

What are you looking forward to the most?

Goafest is the only festival that the entire industry puts together for itself. It is the largest aggregator of all the people from different sides like media, design, advertising etc. Hence, it needs to be celebrated and cherished.

– Ashish Khazanchi, Managing Partner, Enormous


“Connections, creativity and a blast”

Are you attending Goafest this year? How many editions have you attended so far?

Ajith Kumar R
Ajith Kumar R

This is my maiden Goafest. So, I’m excited to experience all things advertising and all things Goa. It would be a feast to see award-winning campaigns, creative installations, and presentations by industry leaders while taking in the cool Goan breeze. I’m also looking to gain knowledge from seminars, workshops, and panel discussions by thought leaders.I see this as a unique event to connect with professionals, learn about the direction that creativity is taking, and have a blast!

– Ajith Kumar R, Senior Ideation Group Head, Maitri Advertising


“Hoping to win a metal this time”

Are you attending Goafest this year? How many editions have you attended so far?

Laj Salam
Laj Salam

Yes. Have attended two before and looking forward to an exciting experience this time as we are one among the shortlisted agencies.

Unforgettable Goafest moment….

Being shortlisted for the first time in 2017 had been an unforgettable moment with our work displayed at the venue. And of course the grandeur of Goafest is something to cherish always.

What are you looking forward to the most?

Look forward to power-packed sessions, meeting the peers of the community, understanding the latest in the industry, engagement, fun, entertainment and of course hoping to win a metal this time.

– Laj Salam, Founder/ MD, Plainspeak


“Connecting with a lot of like-minded and creative peeps!”

Are you attending Goafest this year? How many editions have you attended so far?

Gaurav Arora
Gaurav Arora

Yes, I am attending Goafest this year. This will be my second year at Goafest and I am really kicked about it as Social Panga’s campaign for Manipal Hospitals has been shortlisted at Abby Awards. So I am looking forward to picking the award for it!

Unforgettable Goafest moment…

I guess, I will have to attend a few more editions to come up with any memorable moments and this year may become more memorable if we win any metals.

What are you looking forward to the most?

I am looking forward to connecting with a lot of like-minded and creative peeps! Listen and learn from industry experts and veterans. The agenda looks very interesting, and I hope to come back with a lot of knowledge and futuristic vision.

– Gaurav Arora, Co-Founder, Social Panga

Also read: Goafest 2023: The Final Countdown (1) – ‘Next week is my daughter’s wedding. But Goafest is calling. I am attending.’

Tags: Ajith KumarAshish KhazanchiEnormousGaurav AroraGoafestGoafest 2023Laj SalamMaitri AdvertisingManjaPlainSpeakPrajato Guha ThakurtaSocial Panga

RECENT POSTS

The snacking aisle has never lacked options—but for years, it lacked the right ones:  Tarun Agrawal, Healthy Master
Exclusive

The snacking aisle has never lacked options—but for years, it lacked the right ones: Tarun Agrawal, Healthy Master

March 23, 2026
0

Healthy Master, a snacking brand, recently announced the appointment of Indian fast bowler and rising cricket talent Harshit Rana as...

Read moreDetails
AI in 2026 will define efficient, scalable growth versus costly, fragile expansion: Kautilya Pandey, Shiprocket
Exclusive

AI in 2026 will define efficient, scalable growth versus costly, fragile expansion: Kautilya Pandey, Shiprocket

March 23, 2026
0

Medianews4u.com caught up with Kautilya Pandey, Head, Growth & Marketing Shiprocket, around the evolving dynamics of India’s e-commerce and seller...

Read moreDetails
AI-driven predictive insights and GenAI solutions power margin expansion across data-intensive industries: Srikumar Kumar, GTT Data Solutions
Exclusive

AI-driven predictive insights and GenAI solutions power margin expansion across data-intensive industries: Srikumar Kumar, GTT Data Solutions

March 20, 2026
0

GTT Data Solutions is a technology services and consulting company focused on shaping Dual Intelligence: the integration of Human Intelligence...

Read moreDetails
EaseMyTrip targets growth through digital-first campaigns and strategic collaborations: Manmeet Ahluwalia
Exclusive

EaseMyTrip targets growth through digital-first campaigns and strategic collaborations: Manmeet Ahluwalia

March 19, 2026
0

The traditional marketing funnel in travel is officially dead. Today’s traveller moves from inspiration to booking in a single, non-linear...

Read moreDetails
Technology changes, formats evolve, but emotional authenticity remains constant: Jeet Wagh & Shehzad Sippy
Exclusive

Technology changes, formats evolve, but emotional authenticity remains constant: Jeet Wagh & Shehzad Sippy

March 19, 2026
0

Sippy Films, a studio behind movies like 'Sholay', is entering a new phase of structured transformation under the custodianship of...

Read moreDetails
IPL’s most underused opportunity lies in break moments when audience attention is high but unfocused: Gayatri Sapru, Folk Frequency
Exclusive

IPL’s most underused opportunity lies in break moments when audience attention is high but unfocused: Gayatri Sapru, Folk Frequency

March 18, 2026
0

Folk Frequency is a cultural intelligence studio that translates audience behaviour into strategic frameworks for brands and agencies. Folk Frequency...

Read moreDetails

LATEST NEWS

JBCN Education awards public relations and strategic communications mandate to The Other Circle

JBCN Education awards public relations and strategic communications mandate to The Other Circle

March 23, 2026
India wins Gold in Clash Royale at Global Esports Games; secures Bronze in DOTA 2

India wins Gold in Clash Royale at Global Esports Games; secures Bronze in DOTA 2

March 23, 2026

ANALYSIS

Indian sports economy crosses $2 billion mark in 2025, signals structural maturity: WPP Media report
Analysis

Indian sports economy crosses $2 billion mark in 2025, signals structural maturity: WPP Media report

March 23, 2026
0

Mumbai: WPP Media has released the 13th edition of its flagship report, Sporting Nation: Building a Legacy, highlighting a landmark...

PEOPLE

Bharti Family Office’s Hospitality and Dining Arm names Rohan Pewekar as CEO
People

Bharti Family Office’s Hospitality and Dining Arm names Rohan Pewekar as CEO

March 23, 2026
0

New Delhi: Bharti family office’s hospitality and dining arm has announced the appointment of Rohan Pewekar as the Chief Executive...

MARKETING

MSM Unify names Dr. Nalin Jha to Lead Strategic Growth and E-Learning Initiatives
Marketing

MSM Unify names Dr. Nalin Jha to Lead Strategic Growth and E-Learning Initiatives

March 23, 2026
0

New Delhi: MSM Unify, part of Laul Global, has announced the appointment of Dr. Nalini Jha to a key leadership...

Subscribe to Newsletters

ADVERTISING

JBCN Education awards public relations and strategic communications mandate to The Other Circle
Advertising

JBCN Education awards public relations and strategic communications mandate to The Other Circle

March 23, 2026
0

Mumbai: JBCN Education has appointed Mumbai-based communications agency The Other Circle (TOC) to lead its public relations and strategic communications...

PRINT

Print Industry flags LPG crisis, seeks ‘Essential Service’ tag for newspaper & magazine printing
Media

Print Industry flags LPG crisis, seeks ‘Essential Service’ tag for newspaper & magazine printing

March 21, 2026
0

New Delhi: India’s print media industry has raised alarm over a deepening LPG supply crisis, with leading bodies representing newspapers...

AUTHOR'S CORNER

Pause Ads, Screensaver Ads, and Menu Ads: The New Real Estate in CTV Advertising
Authors Corner

Pause Ads, Screensaver Ads, and Menu Ads: The New Real Estate in CTV Advertising

March 21, 2026
0

Not all ad inventory needs to interrupt something to be effective. In fact, much of CTV's most exciting ad space...

UPLIFT MEDIANEWS4U DIGITAL PVT LTD
No. 194B , Aram Nagar 2, JP Road,
Versova, Andheri West
Mumbai - 400061

For editorial queries:
[email protected]
[email protected]

For business queries:
Smitha Sapaliga - +91-98337-15455
[email protected]

Recent News

Liqvd Asia bags four new mandates, adds about Rs. ₹35 Crore to future business pipeline

Liqvd Asia bags four new mandates, adds about Rs. ₹35 Crore to future business pipeline

March 23, 2026
JBCN Education awards public relations and strategic communications mandate to The Other Circle

JBCN Education awards public relations and strategic communications mandate to The Other Circle

March 23, 2026
India wins Gold in Clash Royale at Global Esports Games; secures Bronze in DOTA 2

India wins Gold in Clash Royale at Global Esports Games; secures Bronze in DOTA 2

March 23, 2026

Newsletter

Subscribe to Newsletters

Medianews4u.com © 2019 - 2025 All rights reserved.

  • The South Side Story 2023 Download Report
  • Goafest 2023: Day 3
  • Goafest 2023: Day 2
  • Goafest 2023: Day 1
  • Straight Talk Gallery 2022
  • The South Side Story 2022 Download Report
  • Focus 2022
  • Futurescope Conclave Gallery 2022
  • The South Side Story 2021 Download Report
  • FOCUS 2021
  • Exclusive
  • Exclusive
  • Advertising
  • Media
    • Radio
    • Cable & DTH
    • Print
    • Digital Frontier
    • Gaming Nexus
  • Television
  • OTT
  • Ad-Tech
  • Marketing
  • Campaigns
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
    • Opinion
    • Think Through
    • Prescience 2023
    • Prescience 2024
  • People
  • Events
    • Leader Speak
    • STRAIGHT TALK
    • Gamechangers
    • Print & TV Summit

Medianews4u.com © 2019 - 2025 All rights reserved.