Brand Buzz Festiverse – Marketing Brilliance at the Crossroads of Innovation and Tradition

Brand Buzz is an initiative by Team Pumpkin that brings marketers and brands together for conversations on marketing strategies and innovation. 

The theme of its debut edition held in 2023 was “Festiverse.” This unique exploration navigated the landscape of festive marketing, unravelling seasonal trends such as the festive season, Cricket World Cup, and the Wedding Season. Festiverse wasn’t merely an event it was a jubilation of our cultural richness, where innovation waltzed with tradition and creative expression merged with consumer insights.

Festiverse 2023: A Fête of Marketing Evolution

Hosted at the Radisson, Gurugram, on the 27th of September ’23, Festiverse 2023 marked a revelry of the ever-evolving marketing landscape. Through captivating panel discussions and talks, we united marketing experts, thought leaders and industry innovators to explore the intricate relationship between festivals and marketing.

Panels That Resonate

Panel #1: Consumer Expectations & Behaviour That Can Be An Insight To Leverage During The Festive Season

The inaugural panel explored the intricate layers of consumer expectations and behaviour during festive seasons. Esteemed speakers guided the audience through understanding and leveraging consumer behaviour for unforgettable festive campaigns.

Panel  Member:

• Binit Kumar, DCM Marketing/Category Head, Oral Care, Dabur
• Arpita Dubey, Head of Marketing- India and APAC, Innova Solutions
• Jasrita Dhir, Director-Marketing and Communication, Karkinos Healthcare
• Vijayendra Singh, COO, Apollo

Panel #2: Innovations in Festive Marketing

Panel two unfolded a captivating exploration into the ever-evolving landscape of festive marketing innovations. Visionaries shared their experiences, offering perspectives on staying ahead of the curve and creating marketing magic that resonates with audiences.

Panel Members:

• Rachana Khanna, GM Marketing, Balancehero India
• Bharat Saxena, Marketing Director, Artsana India(Chicco)
• Harish Aswani, Head Marketing Communication and Digital, Medanta Healthcare
• Swapnil S Kumar, Head- Marketing – BTL, Pernod Ricard India

Panel #3: How To Amplify Your Festive Plan?

The third panel resonated with strategies to amplify festive marketing plans. Distinguished speakers provided insights into making a brand’s presence felt amidst the festive buzz, offering a roadmap for effective execution.

Panel Members:

• Charu Malhotra, Chief Brand Officer, APL Apollo Group
• Hitesh Rajwani, CEO, Social Samosa
• Achyut Daga, General Manager-Marketing, The Moms Co.
• Asif Khan, Marketing Head, Manipal Technologies

Panel #4: The Making Of A Festive-Ready Marketing Strategy With Measurable KPIs

The final panel delved into the meticulous process of crafting festive-ready marketing strategies with measurable KPIs. Entrepreneurs and authors shared profound insights, empowering brands to leave an enduring mark during festive seasons.

Panelist:

• Purnima Gupta, Head of Digital Marketing, Dalmia Cement
• Ratnesh Kumar Jha, CEO, India and South East Asia, The Burlington Group of Companies
• Shetanshu Dikshit, Lead-Digital Communications, Pernod Ricard India
• Shan  Jain, Brand and Marketing Consultant, Independent Director, Shalimar Paints

Special Sessions by Keynote Speakers

Nestled within the panels, the event soared to greater heights with exclusive sessions by industry luminaries. Aashish Chopra, an author known for his ingenious content strategies, shared a masterclass on creating viral campaigns that go hand in hand with festive fervour. Sadashiv Nayak, the seasoned ex-CEO of Future Retail Limited, offered a glimpse into the strategic intricacies of steering retail giants through festive seasons.

Rajnish Kumar, an entrepreneur and author, unfolded the art of infusing storytelling into festive marketing, underscoring the emotional connect that leaves an enduring impact. Shrey Chopra, Strategic Agency Manager at Google, delved into the intersection of technology and festive marketing, exploring how innovations can elevate campaigns.

Vineet Gambhir, Agency Partner at Meta India, wove a narrative around the digital landscape’s evolution, elucidating how brands can leverage emerging technologies for festive success. These sessions not only enriched the event but also provided attendees with an opportunity to engage with and learn from industry trailblazers.

Networking and Collaboration: Building Bridges in the Festival Light

Beyond the insightful panels, Brand Buzz Festiverse 2023 was a vibrant hub for networking and collaboration. Attendees seized the opportunity to connect with industry peers, fostering relationships that have the potential to blossom into groundbreaking collaborations in the future.

As Brand Buzz Festiverse 2023 drew to a close, it left in its wake an indelible mark on attendees—inspired and equipped with the knowledge to navigate the intricate landscape of festive marketing. The buzz of excitement and the echoes of insightful discussions lingered, promising a legacy that will continue to shape the future of festive branding.

Until Next Time, Let the Buzz Continue

In the enchanting world where creativity intertwines with strategy, Brand Buzz Festiverse 2023 stood as a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and the boundless possibilities that unfold when brands embrace the festive spirit. Until next time, let the buzz of festivity and marketing brilliance continue to echo in the corridors of inspiration and success!