Mumbai: The International Advertising Association (IAA) India Chapter is all set to host the third edition of its highly anticipated Voice of Change summit, a thought-leadership event dedicated to advocating for mindful and inclusive portrayals of gender across all forms of media. The summit will take place on 11th November 2024 at Google’s Gurgaon office, bringing together prominent thought leaders, policymakers, advertisers, content creators, and communication specialists to discuss how content can shape perceptions of gender roles.
The theme of this year’s summit is “Let’s Break the Bias, Together,” a powerful call to action for the advertising, marketing, and media industries to challenge stereotypes and promote gender equality in their content. The event is expected to be an inspiring day filled with high-profile discussions, debates, and conversations about the crucial role content plays in promoting a more gender-sensitive narrative in media.
Keynote and Fireside Chat:
- Smriti Irani, Former Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, will deliver the keynote address at the summit.
- Irani will also join Neha Barjatya, Marketing Director at Google India, for a fireside chat, discussing the evolving role of media in shaping gender perceptions and the power of digital platforms in promoting inclusivity.
Notable Panel Discussions:
- Mitrajit Bhattacharya will engage in a conversation with actor Taapsee Pannu, exploring her work in challenging gender stereotypes in the Indian film industry.
- Eashwari Deshpande, Head of YouTube Ads Marketing & Industry Advocacy, will moderate a session with YouTube content creators Gautami Kawale and Shreya Jain, discussing the role of digital content creators in advancing gender equality narratives.
Other confirmed speakers for the event include:
- Anurag Agnihotri, Ogilvy
- Karthik Nagarajan, Hogarth
- Zarius Master, Honasa Consumer
- Dr. AL Sharada, Gender Expert
- Anushree Bhattacharyya, Financial Express
The summit’s discussions will center on the growing importance of diverse and balanced gender representations, especially in the context of advertising, television, OTT platforms, and digital content. Content, now consumed across various geographies, demographics, and digital platforms, can have a powerful influence on societal attitudes toward gender roles, making it crucial for creators and brands to become more mindful of their portrayals.
Abhishek Karnani, President, IAA India Chapter and President of The Free Press Journal, stated, “The Voice of Change summit is one of IAA’s most significant initiatives, and it’s our flagship property for pushing the needle on gender-sensitive communication. Through this event, we aim to drive awareness and foster change across the advertising, media, and marketing industries. The rich lineup of speakers will inspire action toward breaking the bias and promoting gender equality in content.”
Nina Elavia Jaipuria, Chairperson of the IAA Women Empowerment Committee, added, “At the heart of the Voice of Change summit is the belief that content mirrors society. With the increasing democratization of content creation and consumption, it is imperative that we focus on creating positive, inclusive, and gender-equitable narratives. With the invaluable participation of speakers like Smriti Irani and Taapsee Pannu, we aim to engage content creators, marketers, and advertisers to rethink their role in shaping a more inclusive media landscape.”
Megha Tata, Co-Chair, IAA Women Empowerment Committee, further emphasized, “The Voice of Change summit has always strived to add more dimensions to the conversation. This year, we are addressing digital content alongside TV, OTT, and advertising, given the rapid rise of social media and digital platforms. This shift is crucial as we continue to challenge gender stereotyping in digital content, where much of the audience is consuming content today.”
The event is presented by Google India and YouTube, with UNICEF serving as the Knowledge Partner and TVS as the Associate Partner. The summit will be a hybrid event with both in-person and digital participation options, ensuring it reaches a wide audience across India.
RSVP for the event at: [email protected]
The Voice of Change summit promises to be a significant step in the ongoing movement toward breaking gender biases in media and advertising. It aims to inspire meaningful change by empowering content creators, brand custodians, and media professionals to lead the charge for inclusive representation.
For more information about the IAA India Chapter and the event, visit www.iaaindiachapter.org or write to [email protected].
