Mumbai: The vibrant city of Mumbai played host to the day 1 of Goafest 2024, where the atmosphere crackled with anticipation as the winners of the prestigious Media ABBYs and Publisher ABBYs were unveiled. This year's Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show, once again raised the bar, attracting an astounding 3,506 entries from 273 companies.
In the realm of Media ABBYs, 65 illustrious metals were bestowed upon deserving recipients, setting the stage for a night of celebration and recognition. Leading the charge was Wavemaker India, capturing hearts and minds with a remarkable tally of 98 points and 16 metals, earning the coveted title of Media Agency Specialist of the Year. Among their impressive wins were four Golds, notably for their outstanding campaigns for Cadbury, including the captivating '#erasevday' and the innovative '#NothingUniversity'.
Not to be outdone, Initiative Media secured a commendable second place with 48 points and 8 metals, showcasing their prowess with campaigns such as 'Yippee! Create Magic - Plastic to Parks' for Sunfeast Yippee! and the thought-provoking 'Missing Elephants: Provocative Creativity shaking Humanity' for Amazon Prime Video.
However, stealing the spotlight and clinching the Grand Prix was Essence Mediacom, a triumph fueled by their groundbreaking campaign for Airtel 5G Plus titled 'Ultimate Fans: Look Maa! I am on TV'. Their stellar performance, garnering 42 points and 6 metals, underscored their commitment to innovation and creativity in the digital age.
Rounding out the top ranks were stalwarts Mindshare and Publicis Media, each claiming their share of the limelight with impressive campaigns and a collective total of 12 metals.
Day one of Goafest and the Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show also saw ABP Pvt Ltd emerge as the Publisher of the Year – its second successive victory – with five metals that included gold, two silver, and two bronze.
The Hindu Group stood second with a gold, a silver, and three merits. Jagran Prakashan Ltd – the runner-up to the Publisher of the Year 2022 – came third with two bronze metals and two merits to its name.
As the curtains draw on Day 1 of Goafest 2024, the stage is set for yet another exhilarating day of festivities, as the industry comes together to celebrate creativity, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
