Mumbai: Goafest 2025 has introduced ‘Advertising Plays’, a dynamic new sports and wellness IP designed to bring professionals from across the advertising and media industry together in a relaxed, engaging setting. The initiative aligns with the festival’s evolving vision and will debut under the newly introduced nouvel Goafest Village concept.
Conceptualised as a break from the traditional event format, Advertising Plays is being managed by Havas Play and will include structured inter-agency competitions in sports like table tennis and pickleball, along with spontaneous games such as chess, carrom, darts, net cricket, and arm wrestling. These activities are designed to be gender-neutral, inclusive, and accessible to delegates of all fitness levels.
Speaking about the initiative, Mohit Joshi, Co-chair of the Goafest 2025 Organising Committee and CEO of Havas Media Network India, said, “The connections that move our industry forward aren’t always made in boardrooms or at award ceremonies. Advertising Plays offers a space for professionals to engage beyond the usual format. It’s a people-first initiative which will enable our industry to build more connections and collaborate in the longer run.”
The competitions will culminate in a celebratory awards segment recognizing not just athletic achievement but also team spirit—giving winners both trophies and year-long bragging rights.
R. Venkatasubramanian, COO of Havas Play India, added, “Goafest has long been a premier platform that unites the brightest minds in the world of advertising. In 2025, it takes a bold new leap by introducing Advertising Plays—a dynamic initiative designed to elevate the spirit of friendly competition among industry professionals. Advertising Plays is a unique sports and wellness program created to celebrate camaraderie and community across agencies nationwide. Featuring a mix of light-hearted yet competitive, gender-neutral games such as Chess, Carrom, Darts, Net Cricket and Arm Wrestling, the event aims to channel the joy of play and the thrill of challenge. Modern, high-energy sports like Pickleball and Table Tennis add a competitive edge, encouraging participants to push boundaries and embrace teamwork. Meanwhile, curated wellness activities—such as Yoga by the Beach and the Beach Walkathon—offer delegates a chance to recharge, reconnect, and realign with their inner selves. Let’s Play. Let’s Connect. Let’s Celebrate.”
To complement the sports events, daily wellness experiences will also be offered. Yoga by the Bay will feature guided morning sessions, while the Beach Walkathon will provide a scenic, community-led walk to kick-start the day.
Advertising Plays is poised to become a defining element of Goafest’s next chapter—one where creativity, competition, wellness, and community co-exist.
The 18th edition of South Asia’s largest creative festival, Goafest 2025, will be held from May 21 to 23 at Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon. The event is jointly hosted by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC).
To know more, visit: https://goafest.com/AdvertisingPlays.php
