Prasoon Joshi: Don't come to holiday destination for advertising festival

Agency heads looked disgusted by the low attendance at learning sessions?

This year, India's biggest advertising and awards festival Goafest 2011 was extended to 5 days to focus more on learning and discussions which continued for all 5 days. On the final day of the festival today, there was a Knowledge Session with internationals speakers like Laurie Coots, CMO TBWA, Daniel Morrel, CEO Wunderman and John Hegarty, Chairman BBH. But it was unfortunate to see the low attendance when it comes to learning. Agency heads looked disgusted by the low attendance while Ambi MG Parameswaran, Executive Director & CEO, Draftfcb Ulka, heard saying that 30 of his agency people who're not around will be questioned. Further, a huge gathering of over 3,000 ad men and of course women too will witness the Creative Abbys awards to be held this evening but before that Neha S of BestMediaInfo.com got hold of Prasoon Joshi, Executive Chairman McCann Worldgroup India , Regional Creative Director Asia Pacific McCann Worldgroup, to check his nerves at the eleventh hour. Read the excerpts:

Q) Time for Creative Abbys now at Goafest 2011; so what are your expectations like?
I think, the awards are like the byproducts of the good work. They are
not the products. Its a festival and not a kushti and cheering good work.

Q) Any numbers in your mind?
I have always said that its not a boxing ring. I don't believe in
numbers. Good work should be appreciated. The sales have already
happened so it does not matter how many you win or lose.

Q) What is your favourite work of McCann this year?
I think Coca Cola Shadow campaign has been really good.

Q) Goafest has been a pool or may say beaches of controversies; what's your take on this?
I think fundamentally it should be about respect of advertising. I can see people
now opening up their hearts and appreciating others' work. You work for the client and if you win then it's an icing on cake. But awards should not be the primary motive.

Q) How do you convey this message to the young breed?
We need a larger platform or don't come to a holiday destination like Goa.

Q) It's Piyush Pandey's birthday today; your wishes for him?
I have already wished him. We have already celebrated many of his
birthdays and I wish him thousand years of life every time - not even a single day less than that.

Neha@BestMediaInfo.com

Info@BestMediaInfo.com