Published on: May 23, 2026
On the final morning of Goafest 2026, the dialogue shifted from the mechanics of advertising to the foundation of consumer relationships: Trust. The panel, titled ‘The Great Attention Reset: Because Growth Today Is Built on Trust, Not Traffic,’ featured Punit Dharamsi (EVP, AMFI), Tuhina Pandey (CMO, IBM India & South Asia), and Jahid Ahmed (SVP and Head of Digital, HDFC Bank).
The session, moderated by LinkedIn’s Devajit Roy, explored why the traditional chase for “impressions” is being replaced by a focus on high-relevance, intent-led ecosystems.
Tuhina Pandey emphasized that in today’s attention economy, relevance matters significantly more than reach. Speaking from a B2B and technology perspective, she noted that content must resonate across complex “buying committees”—from CEOs to CFOs. Pandey highlighted that the credibility of the storyteller is now as vital as the story itself, and that sequencing content to align with audience intent is the key to moving beyond surface-level engagement.
Punit Dharamsi brought the perspective of financial communication, noting that trust is built during pivotal life moments. He shared how AMFI focuses on contextual messaging tied to milestones like a first job, marriage, or retirement. By prioritizing investor education over panic-driven communication during market volatility, Dharamsi argued that “always-on” visibility and relatable storytelling are what maintain long-term investor confidence.
Jahid Ahmed observed a fundamental shift from interruption-led communication to intent-led ecosystems. For HDFC Bank, attention is built on safety and frictionless experiences. Ahmed noted that consumers are increasingly tuning out direct selling in favor of educational and advisory-led communication. He emphasized the growing importance of first-party data and creator-led education, stating that helping consumers make smarter financial decisions is the most effective way to drive long-term business growth.
Read more: Bravery, ‘Bharat’ and the ABBYs: The Final Word from Goafest 2026
