By Colvyn Harris,
Executive Director Global Growth & Client Development, J. Walter Thompson Company
I just can’t believe it. Goafest is 10! A decade ago, we were discussing how we (the AAAI) should create a platform to celebrate creativity and recognize talent which has made our profession critically essential for businesses and brands. Whilst the reputations of our respective agencies were dependent on how we fared at Goafest, many of us just wanted to do what’s good for our industry, and for the talented youngsters who aspired to emulate the success stories made in advertising.
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I have the fondest memories of the early days as various people put their hearts into what would become India’s finest award show. We had little or no money, just the support of sponsors and people who selflessly toiled to make it a success. It soon had Cannes Lions - the very famous Terry Savage and Philip Thomas - interested in the property as an extension of the various regional shows which were started just about then. That itself was testimony to what could have been a spectacular event, and which could have put India’s advertising and our people on the world advertising map.
The theatre evolved as we set about creating it, the war-room wherein we would enlist our passionate young employees to help out, identify sponsors, collect money, redesign the award, manage the entire process and all for the pride of being a part of ‘the team that created Goafest’. The drama of the jury process, the kick-off meetings wherein everyone's views were taken into account, the design and fabrication by Martin Da Costa’s 70 Event Management Group, and how it was created uniquely for each festival year, built from scratch, with detailing of the highest standards possible. Each year it looked better, classier, and the event grew bigger in stature. We had hit gold!
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If you have the time, google the then Tourism Minister Mickky Pacheco, whose stated mission in life was to stop Goafest, or get paid for it - the latter more likely. We did not relent, and braved the worst odds to move a venue 72 hours before its start, when we had 60 trucks laden with equipment stopped at the Goa border, and the threat of him blocking us with 2,000 cattle and 100 cowherds, so that the trucks and delegates would not be able to reach the venue. We did not succumb to that, even though the threats rivalled the worst horror and gangster films we see nowadays. Nothing could stop it, it was an idea which had taken a life of its own.
But alas, we should have known better.
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As the metals poured in, and reputations were made and lost, sadly we were subjected to a series of self-goals, which could destroy this entity called Goafest. Every year, the jury process whilst evolving, was also subjected to the egos of various people who wanted it ‘my way or the highway’. And that’s where we are now. Half the industry is against it and the other half loves it. In the midst of this, is our profession, now fractured and tarnished forever. Will it ever heal? I hope so.
Ask anyone who has attended Goafest. What’s in store is three days of knowledge seminars – the best global speakers have made their presence felt - awards nights, hobnobbing with the people who lead this profession, and the bonhomie and spirit akin to an IPL launch event.
I have been so very fortunate to have been there and enjoyed the three days with our talented teams, and the hospitality of sponsors, at a price-point which was amazingly low, that many actually paid for it themselves.
I would urge all of us as agency leaders to come together and make this an award show which will have us all proud as we strut the stage to collect what we believe is the result of a good honest day’s work. Inshallah!
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I was Chairman of Goafest for two years in succession. Proud to say that Team JWT managed the full process twice, and earned the admiration of our peers.
My absolute funniest moment was when we changed the launch format from lighting a lamp. Madhukar Kamath and I came out of the sea on jet skis. Madhukar deserves a Grand Prix for having displayed the most bravery, considering that he doesn’t swim; and Bhaskar Das for his exemplary courage to dance with the two hostesses, with the sun scorching down at noon, hoping his delightful ordeal would end, to the endless theme song of Jaws – an absolute Spielberg moment - the music selection inspired by Martin…whilst yours truly was far out at sea, delaying returning for as long as I could thinking maybe Bhaskar loves to dance (!!), and I with a jet-ski, not on an hourly basis, all to myself! :)
