The name Guthli symbolizes the potential of a mango seed: small yet powerful, filled with possibilities for a bright future.
Guthli Ad Fest 2024
The Guthli Ad Fest 2024 made a groundbreaking mark in the world of advertising education. Conceptualized by Dr. Prateesh Nair, CEO and Founder of Miles SOBA & Agency M, this one-of-a-kind event celebrated the fusion of academic excellence and industry relevance through Miles SOBA’s revolutionary Ed-Work Pedagogy. Designed to empower students with real-world skills, the festival promises to redefine business education and inspire the next generation of leaders.
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A Unique Celebration of Creativity and Learning
The three-day event, hosted at the historic St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, featured the Miles Conclave and the Guthli Ad Fest, India’s first student-focused advertising festival. Themed “Celebrating Pops and Pandey,” the festival paid tribute to two advertising legends-Padma Shri Piyush Pandey and KV ‘Pops’ Sridhar-while offering students an unparalleled platform to learn, create, and shine.
About Guthli Ad Fest
The name Guthli symbolizes the potential of a mango seed: small yet powerful, filled with possibilities for a bright future. Aimed at students aged 15 to 23, the festival seeks to nurture young talent, giving them the tools to transform the advertising landscape.
Day 1: Academic Excellence at Miles Conclave 2024
The event opened with the Miles Conclave, bringing together over 100 universities and leading academic minds. This platform introduced next-generation BBA programs tailored to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
Esteemed speakers included Shirsha Guha Thakurta, who inspired young women to lead in creative fields, and Rajeev Lakshman, who stressed the importance of aligning education with industry needs. Bharat Dabholkar provided insights into advertising campaigns, while Shantesh Row highlighted the value of creative writing in professional growth. Together, they underscored the importance of AI and holistic education in preparing students for the future.
Dr. Prateesh Nair emphasized the transformative vision of Miles SOBA:
“Our Ed-Work Pedagogy is redefining business education by integrating academic rigor with immersive, real-world experiences. We’re empowering students to lead and innovate in real time.”
Varun Jain, CEO of Miles Education, added:
“Events like Guthli Ad Fest are vital in preparing students not just to succeed, but to excel in a fast-evolving world.”
Day 2: Celebrating Pops and Pandey – A Meeting of Minds
The second day’s theme, “Celebrating Pops and Pandey,” featured thought-provoking fireside chats and discussions led by advertising icons KV Sridhar and Padma Shri Piyush Pandey.
One of the highlights of the festival was the fireside chat featuring Piyush Pandey and Prasoon Pandey (Founder, Corcoise Films), moderated by Devaiah Bopanna (Co-Founder, Moonshot). Their candid exchange offered an insider’s perspective on the evolution of advertising. From the golden age of print and TV ads to the digital revolution, their insights captivated the audience, bridging the gap between industry veterans and aspiring creatives.
Another highlight was KV Sridhar and Santosh Padhi (Founder, Taproot Dentsu & CCO, Wieden+Kennedy India) shared their experiences in another engaging discussion moderated by Kainaz Karmakar (CCO, Ogilvy). They delved into the nuances of creating impactful campaigns, offering actionable insights into the art and science of storytelling in advertising.
Josy Paul, Chairman and CCO of BBDO India, delivered an inspiring session titled “Creativity in the Classroom.” Known for campaigns that challenge societal norms, Paul urged students to think beyond conventional boundaries. His presentation emphasized the transformative power of creativity and kept the audience spellbound.
Masterclasses and Workshops
A series of masterclasses enriched the day further.Cyrus Broacha entertained with anecdotes from his advertising heyday, offering valuable lessons in storytelling.Tanya Nambiar explored the emotional power of voice in branding, keeping the audience rapt.Studio Blo Workshop: Dipankar Mukherjee, Rishabh Suri, and Joel James from Studio Blo led an interactive session on integrating AI into creative processes, showcasing the future of advertising.
Panel Discussion on Bridging Academia and Industry
A panel featuring Sneha Iype, Mandar Natekar, OR Radhakrishnan,Kashif Memon, Shantesh Row and Partho Sengupta discussed how academia can adapt to industry needs. The panel provided students with a roadmap to navigate the evolving world of advertising, emphasizing adaptability and innovation.
Reflecting on the day, Dr. Prateesh Nair remarked: “This festival allowed students to challenge themselves, ask questions, and embrace learning in its truest form. This is what real education looks like.”
Day 3: Awards, Scholarships, and Cultural Showcases
The final day erupted with excitement as the awards ceremony honored exceptional talent across prestigious categories, including Times of India's Print Category, Lahori Zeera's Ad Film, Nargis Dutt Foundation's Public Service Film, Toy Bank's Logo Design, Rapido's Radio, Audible's Social Media category, and Fab India's Best Use of AI. With over 2,000 participants, deans and directors from 75 top universities, and more than 1,000 students in attendance, the energy in the auditorium was electric.
Winners were honored by Piyush Pandey and KV Sridhar, whose motivational words left a lasting impact:“Keep your feet on the ground and your eyes on the sky,” Pandey urged. “Travel and don’t fear making mistakes,” Pops added.
Pops and Pandey Scholarship
A major highlight was the awarding of the Pops and Pandey Scholarship to six deserving students, in collaboration with the Nargis Dutt Foundation. This scholarship exemplifies the festival’s commitment to nurturing young creative leaders.
Cultural Extravaganza
The day also featured lively competitions, including street plays, rap battles, and stand-up comedy, showcasing the diversity and talent of Mumbai’s collegiate community.
Miles SOBA: Redefining Business Education
Miles School of Business & Liberal Arts (SOBA) is revolutionizing education with its Ed-Work Pedagogy, blending academic theory with hands-on experience. With specialized programs in Branding & Advertising, Digital Business, and Entrepreneurship, students graduate with three years of work experience, ready to excel in the competitive marketplace.
A New Era of Learning and Innovation
The Guthli Ad Fest 2024 has firmly established itself as a beacon of creativity and learning. By bridging academia with industry, it has empowered students to innovate, lead, and shape the future.
Dr. Prateesh Nair aptly summed up the festival’s impact:
“This is just the beginning. The Guthli Ad Fest has sown the seeds of change, and we’re excited to see how far these young creatives will go.”
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