Goafest brings the ad industry together: Shashi Sinha

How do you feel relinquishing charge after an eventful two years as Ad Club President?
Mixed feelings, frankly. We successfully moved from Advertising Club Bombay to Advertising Club, and making it more national in character. We’ve done well financially. Goafest and the Creative Abby was a problem last year, though my first two years were excellent

Any unfinished agenda?
We started with other markets very well, but I wish we had done more on continuing education. I think we got stuck with awards and the plan to go to smaller towns couldn’t be done.

And the Creative Abby controversy. Any solutions, as you look back?
We discussed that in the meeting. The solution is that there are rules, put them down clearly, publish them and let there be no deviation.

There is a demand for the Abby to be held in Mumbai and not in Goa...
Goafest brings the industry together, and I think we should continue to have the Abby in Goa. We are one industry and it shouldn’t be a divided house.

Do you think the Abby should be given to a private operator like it is at the Cannes Lions?
Right now, the Abbys are for the industry and by the industry.

While we make profits that’s not our primary objective. I think when you hand it over to a private player, the entry and delegate fees will go up dramatically.
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