Goafest 2023 launches a new initiative, ‘Advertising Rocks,’ intending to provide a platform for India’s creative community to display their musical ability. Through Advertising Rocks, a first-of-its-kind initiative at Goafest, the Organising Committee encourages and invites bands and solo performers from India’s Advertising and Media fraternity to submit entries and compete for the opportunity to entertain delegates at Goafest 2023, while being a part of South Asia’s largest creative festival.

With three categories – Vocals Solos (Indian), Vocals Solos (Western), and Bands (Indian & Western – mixed), all finalists will be allowed to perform for a jury and delegates at Goafest and will be provided an all-expenses-paid trip that includes air-fare, hotel, and entry into Goafest 2023. Furthermore, the winning bands will receive cash prizes of Rs. 2,00,000 and Rs. 1,00,000 for first and second place, respectively, and the winning soloists will receive cash rewards of Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 25,000 for first and second place, respectively.

A jury and live voting guests at Goafest will determine the winners based on the final cumulative score.

On announcing ‘Advertising Rocks’, Mohit Joshi, CEO, Havas Media Group India and Goafest 2023 Co-chair said, “Advertising Rocks is a unique initiative and platform that recognizes the musical talents of people beyond their daily roles in the advertising and media industry. The initiative not only celebrates their creativity but also brings the industry closer together in a fun and innovative way. Being a music lover myself, I can’t wait to see the level of excellence that will be displayed at Goafest’s Advertising Rocks! this year.”

Subhash Kamath, Former CEO of BBH and curator of ‘Advertising Rocks’, said, “The advertising & media industry is full of musical talent. Over the years, I’ve heard some wonderful singers and bands. What better occasion than Goafest to give this talent a stage to perform in front their peers? Advertising truly rocks!”

Ashish Bhasin, Co-Founder & Chairman, RD&X Network and Chairman of the Events Committee at Goafest 2023, added, “Advertising Rocks is an exciting initiative that will surely drive engagement prior to the festival as well as on-ground. It also gives us an opportunity to know our industry colleagues beyond the creative business. We encourage the industry to participate actively in Advertising Rocks and look forward to some interesting performances at Goafest 2023.”

“Our industry can boast of multi-faceted talent. And this initiative will draw out the hidden musical talent that either gets neglected or doesn’t have a platform to express itself, in this fast-paced life. Goafest is known to dial up excitement levels for our industry folks.  Advertising Rocks offers a unique proposition for our industry to showcase its musical talent. It will be fascinating to see our colleagues perform for our industry at a festival of this scale,” concluded, Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas Group India & Chairman, The ABBYs Award Governing Council, and Ajay Kakar, Managing Committee Member, The Advertising Club & Co-chair, The ABBYs Award Governing Council.

The deadline for submitting entries for Advertising Rocks is May 5, 2023. Entries from bands and solo performers only belonging to the Advertising, Media and Advertisers fraternity will be considered.