MUMBAI: The Goafest Committee has announced the first list of internationally acclaimed speakers for the event.

The speakers are: The Coca-Cola Company VP- global advertising strategy and content excellence Jonathan Mildenhall; Publicis Groupe SA COO and member of management board Jean Yves Naouri; Omnicom Group vice chairman Tim Love; ZenithOptimedia CEO Steve King; and Intel Corporation Apac director- strategy, media and integrated marketing Jayant Murty.

The advertising Conclave will be held on 19 April, which will be followed by two days of Goafest on 20-21April.

Goafest 2012 chairman Arvind Sharma said, "We have lined up a great festival and a fabulous line up of speakers for the Conclave as well as the seminars. The list of speakers addressing the Conclave have the width of vision and experience to make us think about ‘Ideas for impacting the full circle’- the theme of the Conclave. We will announce the seminar speaker names soon. I am certain that these speakers will present to delegates a rich future-facing perspective."

Another aspect Sharma touched upon was the Marketing Wizards initiative in association with the Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA). Each member of the ISA can nominate up to two rising stars from their marketing teams under the age of 30 years to Goafest 2012.

"This year we are focusing on getting more clients to be a part of Goafest. Marketing Wizards was created as an initiative to drive young advertisers’ participation. I must share that our efforts in getting more clients participation through the Marketing Wizards initiative are delivering rich dividends. We have received a good response from young clients. Many seats have been filled and we are expecting the remaining seats to be filled in soon," Sharma added.

Goafest 2012 is being organised by Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and Ad Club Bombay in partnership for the fifth year.

Over the years, specialist areas like OOH and ambient, design, digital and mobile advertising, direct, and integrated advertising have been growing in importance. In recognition of this phenomenon, in 2012, Abbies at Goafest will have provision for Grand Prix in all the nine verticals- the Grand Prix is being introduced in media awards as well.