Goafest 2024 | Adapt to Thrive, Not Just Survive

Goafest 2024, South Asia’s largest advertising and media festival kickstarted on a high note, with a stellar line, full of learnings, discussions and deliberations while celebrating creative excellence for its 17th edition. With sessions that discuss various facets of the festival’s theme ‘The Age of Adaptability’, Goafest 2024 promises to unpack and deliver practical learnings through topics that are of significant relevance through keynotes, discussions, masterclasses and more.

The ceremonial lighting of the lamps marked the official start of the celebration. Prominent figures from the industry like Anupriya Acharya, Prasanth Kumar, Mohit Joshi, and Rana Barua were invited to light the torch. Warmly welcoming everyone, GroupM CEO for South Asia Prasanth Kumar expressed his happiness with the agencies’ participation, attendance, and the enthusiasm.

He said,

“Today, we ignite the spark of resilience and adaptability, starting by drawing wisdom from our industry titles. I’m particularly excited and grateful they got a lineup of partners who have joined hands with us to make history and a great experience for all of us. We are humble to witness over 50 plus partners that includes publisher clients across sectors of makers.”

He further added,

“This festival is a unique opportunity to learn from each other, shared ideas, and forge connections that will help us navigate the ever changing landscape.”

In the first session presented by News 18 Network, titled ‘Adapt To Thrive Not Just Survive’, Harit Nagpal, Managing Director & CEO of Tata Play, emphasised the importance of adaptability as a key to thriving rather than merely surviving. In a captivating speech that left the audience both thinking and inspired, laden with anecdotes, the keynote speaker emphasised the inevitability of disruption in our lives and the critical importance of resilience in the face of it. “Disruption can be caused by anything or anyone, but it becomes our responsibility to survive and thrive,” he asserted! He then discussed Business Continuity Planning, a strategy used in the 2000s, designed to address both expected and unexpected scenarios, and its relevance to COVID-19. He then moved on to highlight the surge in digital interactions, including video calls and remote work, which have become the norm. The pandemic, he noted, disrupted traditional office setups but ultimately led to more flexible and efficient work arrangements.

He also revealed that a significant and growing proportion of Tata Play’s customer base is now opting for digital recharge options, marking a notable shift in consumer behaviour. This trend is reflected in the company’s increasing market share, as more and more customers embrace the convenience of virtual recharges. In a nod to the rapid pace of innovation, he declared, “Disruption is the new norm.” From the worldwide web to AI, each breakthrough is shrinking the gap between disruptions, and we’re just getting started. His parting words, “Either you disrupt, or someone else is going to do it for you, and the best time to do it is when you feel the most comfortable!” left an indelible mark!

Read More: Goafest 2024 – Day 1 Sets the Stage for Adaptation and Innovation with Speakers