The 2019 edition of Goafest presented by Viacom18 and powered by MX Player got underway on April 11 at Grand Hyatt, Bambolim. Present for the inaugural were Group CEO and MD – Viacom18, Sudhanshu Vats, Ashish Bhasin – President of Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI), Nakul Chopra, Chairman – Goafest 2019, Shashi Sinha – Chair of the Awards Governing Council, ABBY Awards 2019, Vikram Sakhuja – President, The Advertising Club, and Jaideep Gandhi – Chairman Industry Conclave. Speaking about Goafest 2019, Ashish Bhasin, President of Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) said “Over the last few years we have seen the growth in participation with lines blurring between media and creative. At Goafest 2019 on the back of an exclusive list of speakers and artists, we have seen a sustained registration of about 2000 delegates, while ABBY Awards have seen 2700 entries this year.” Nakul Chopra, Chairman of Goafest2019 said that “Democratization is a trend sweeping through the industry and we are proud of Goafest 2019 being an integral part of this change. It has been our endeavour to drive inclusivity irrespective of size and without the limitation of cost and opportunity.” Setting the ‘tune’ for Goafest 2019 was […]

Flagging off the day was the keynote session by Ross Jauncey, Head of Create with Google. Highlighting the ability of creativity to transform, Ross Jauncey said: “We have never seen a more amazing time to be in world creativity. Today, we need creative minds who can march into the unknown.” He relayed the audiences with various campaigns such as Kupu by Colenso BBDO in New Zealand which was developed to connect with consumers using an interactive app. The app helps people learn TeReo Māori translations by exploring the objects around them. Jauncey further added: “creativity is a similar language across the world with ideas that are passionate and to that effect, your values are just as important as your product.” Speaking about the six-second advertisement campaign titled ‘challenge accepted’ launched by Youtube to create the shorter version of ads. Jauncey said that “most of the agencies crafted films specifically to fit the ‘:06’ format—a format that YouTube recently began offering advertisers to help them capture attention in today’s mobile world.” The filmmakers here emphasized simplicity, strong visual elements, fundamentals of good storytelling, and leaving some things up to the viewers’ imagination. So start with an image, a punchline, a feeling—and […]

Bollywood actor and writer Kalki Koechlin and Siddhant Chaturvedi kickstarted the fun and high energy session which was moderated by Kubra Sait by discussing the topic of bullying. “When people are picking on you, it’s a bad place to be in. You got to stand up one day and speak for yourself, said Siddhant Chaturvedi while addressing the crowd. Kalki added that “Abuse is different from bullying. For me, it was a process that went deep into my adult life. It was when I started questioning why I’m angry and rebellious, that I found my answers. Our generation is talking and coming out about feelings. The way we must raise the next generation should be my empowering them with tools to communicate.” The topic progressed to the struggles of an aspiring actor, staying relatable, relevant and inspired in life always, and objectification faced by both genders. “As actors, we are always giving. It’s important to replenish ourselves. Constantly. One has to fight the perils that the film industry comes with if you want to achieve your dreams. I was told I am credible and relatable and yet something was missing. I was casually suggested to get the right amount of […]

Sports journalist, sports commentator, and author of several books on Indian sports, Boria Majumdar was in Goa for the 2019 edition of Goafest. NT GoGoaNow caught up with Boria to talk cricket. AUSTIN DIAS | NT GoGoaNow   This year’s IPL has seen matches go on till midnight. The slow over rates are affecting fans and journalists. Comment The most important constituency of the game is its fans. If a fan has to struggle to return home at 1 a.m. in the morning by paying four times the money for transport, if a journalist cannot write the match report as the deadline is over and his morning edition is gone, and the broadcaster cannot sell his inventory, it is unfair on them. Firstly, the BCCI has to play a greater role. There are two things that can be done. You can start matches at 7 p.m. and finish by 11.30 p.m. Secondly, penalising the erring captain on the basis of net run rate (NRR). If the penalisation is done by cutting down match fees the franchise will pay it off. If you want to hurt them use the NRR (net run rate) option. Eventually, when it comes down to the […]

Speaking on the Day 2 of Goafest 2019, Sehwag was asked if India should play Pakistan in the World Cup, he said, “There are two things which are discussed, whether we should have a war with Pakistan or not and whether we should play Pakistan in the upcoming world cup or not.” “We should do whatever is good for the nations prospect. When India and Pakistan play a match, it is nothing less than a war. We should win it and not lose it.” added Sehwag. When asked questions about the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, Sehwag replied that “I feel a leader should have the courage to take decisions, quick decisions in the interest of the country, in the interest of the Army and the interest of the police.” He also said that if people started voting for leaders and not on the basis of party lines, then “half the leaders” would not get elected.”The leaders get elected because people vote for the party. The person who can take decisions should get elected, irrespective of which party he is from,” he claimed. Ending the session on a humorous note, when asked if he intended to join politics, Sehwag replied, “I […]

Reis Magos Fort is all set to present the project Made for Dance Tanjore Quartet Bharata Natyam by the Kishna brothers Ram and Suresh on April 28, 6 pm onwards. The brothers will take you through a journey demonstrating the details of the ancient art form. It will be followed by a magical live performance. Made For Dance Tanjore Quartet Bharata Natyam is a mystical rhythmic dance art performance showcasing a collection of impeccable and elaborate choreographic work. The performance visualises the tranquil south Indian music compositions of the ancient source of classical Bharata Natyam, the brainchild of the Nattuvanar Gurus of the Tanjore Quartet Parampara, a lineage of traditional artists, creating choreographs and composing music for dance and vocal recitals. The performance unfolds the rich content of the Indian spiritual world and philosophy of the Veda’s, the ancient scriptures of India. The avant-garde costume designs are part of the Aharya, (Sanskrit for outer expression), designed and handcrafted according to the mobility of the dances to exhibit a memorable celestial storybook. The Kishna Brothers will take center stage to showcase the signature features such as the high technical details with a natural face and body expression (abhinaya), according to the […]