Day 3 of Goafest 2025 unfolded with a distinct change of pace. After two high-energy days filled with non-stop sessions and celebrations, the final day brought a touch of reflection, warmth and emotional resonance—an ideal close to a festival that celebrates creativity in all its forms.
As attendees trickled in, Javed Ali’s live performance provided a soothing, soulful start to the day. His string of hits had the audience swaying, but it was his powerful rendition of Maa Tujhe Salaam that truly brought the house down. The emotional performance earned him a standing ovation, setting a heartfelt tone for the day’s proceedings.
One of the most anticipated speakers of the festival, Youri Guerassimov, CCO and CEO of Marcel Paris, took the stage next. Known for his global campaigns and boundary-pushing ideas, Guerassimov didn’t disappoint. He urged creatives to get bolder with advertising, and brands to take a stand.
Day 3 also featured smaller group discussions and wrap-up panels reflecting on industry shifts, the role of new technologies, and the future of talent in advertising. Speakers included Tejas Apte, Rajeev Jain, Luke Coutinho, Vijay Varma, Ram Madhvani and more.
The Bioscope – The Cinema hosted ‘What Ignited the Jury Room?’—a peek into the jury’s deliberations for the Abby awards to follow that evening. Anupama Ramaswamy of Havas Creative India, Raj Kamble of Famous Innovations and Senthil Kumar of VML India shared what made the winning entries tick—bold ideas, clear storytelling, and real-world impact. Guerassimov closed the session, reiterating that consistency and creativity across platforms are paramount.
The final set of ABBY Awards added a competitive edge to the day. While Enormous was crowned ‘Agency of the Year’ based on cumulative wins, it was Famous Innovations that stole the spotlight with two Grand Prix victories—despite placing fourth overall. Leo India and VML also made strong showings as runners-up, rounding out a competitive and well-celebrated awards ceremony.
