MUMBAI: The Goafest Committee announced the first list of speakers for Goafest 2013. These include PepsiCo Beverages global head of digital Shiv Singh, Leo Burnett Worldwide chairman and director Thomas Bernardin, Leo Burnett Worldwide chief creative officer Mark Tutssel and Maxus Worldwide global planning director Nick Vale.

Goafest 2013 will be held on 5th and 6th April and the Advertising Conclave is scheduled for 4th April. The event will be held at the Zuri White Sands in South Goa.

Goafest 2013 Committee member M G Parameswaran said, "We have a great mix of over nine speakers this year covering creative, media, strategy, digital and even a couple from what could be called unrelated fields. Our effort is get the 3000+ participants of Goafest to listen to and interact with what the best the world has to offer. As in previous years we will have stimulating Q&A sessions chaired by senior marketing professionals, and may be even prizes for the best question in each session."

Goafest 2013 chairman Nakul Chopra said, "The speakers this year are some of the most sought-after names in the industry. Their experience and insights will set the stage for the very conversations we endeavour to ignite at Goafest."

Shiv is currently responsible for driving the business‘s foray into Real-Time Marketing and is hands on with brand Pepsi and portfolio wide digital media strategy, innovation, optimisation and measurement efforts. Prior to PepsiCo he worked at Razorfish Inc for over twelve years in its New York, London and San Francisco offices serving most recently as its vice president and global social media lead. He has worked with companies like Mercedez Benz, Philip Morris International, Citigroup, Microsoft, Victoria Secret and Ford Motor Company.

Bernardin has been the chairman and director of Leo Burnett Company since April 2005. He has earlier served as chief executive officer, Lowe New York. Prior to the merger of Lowe New York and Bozell, two previously separate agencies within the Interpublic Group of Companies, Bozell served as president and chief executive officer of Bozell. Under his leadership, the agency grew at an unprecedented pace and the creative product reached new heights in 2002, when Bozell was named the third most creative agency in the world at Cannes.

Tutssel has been named the No 1 worldwide creative director in the industry earning the title of top global creative crusader. He oversees the work of Leo Burnett Worldwide and its 96 global offices. Under his creative leadership, Leo Burnett has moved up to the 3rd most awarded network in the world and has more global offices contributing to its creative reputation than any other agency network. His work has garnered every major creative accolade, including the prestigious Cannes Grand Prix and 50 Cannes Lions.

Vale leads the planning, takes overall responsibility for the strategic and creative product and is the architect of Maxus‘ positioning and approach globally. Before arriving at Maxus, Nick spent 6 years with MEC as Planning Partner leading their Global Solutions Planning division, he worked across the Global MEC client portfolio and built and delivered IMC consultancy projects worldwide. He has also worked at Starcom (leading Levi‘s and Nintendo) and ZenithOptimedia in both US and UK account director roles.

The Goafest Committee also held roadshows in South Asian countries this year. Chopra said, "We recently had roadshows in Pakistan and Sri Lanka and the response has been very encouraging. We expect a handsome increase in number of delegates from these countries."

Marketing Wizards which was introduced last year is an initiative where each member of the Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA) can nominate up to four young professionals from their marketing teams under the age of 30 years to experience the highs and thrills of Goafest 2013 at a subsidised fee of Rs 6500+taxes. Goafest will also provide Marketing Wizards with two free nights stay in a five star Hotel in Goa, F&B, ground transportation and full access to the entire Goafest 2013.

This is the 8th edition of the Goafest and the 6th consecutive year when AAAI and The Advertising Club will come together to deliver India‘s premier awards that celebrate creativity.