Agency Reporter’s Connected TV Asia Symposium – Bengaluru Edition 2024: An Insightful Triumph
On May 17, 2024, the Agency Reporter Connected TV Asia Symposium in Bengaluru, in association with mediasmart and supported by Teads and Lemma, convened at the prestigious Vivanta By Taj. This premier event gathered industry luminaries and decision-makers to delve into the future of Connected TV (CTV) and foster meaningful connections within the sector.
Throughout the day, attendees were immersed in a rich tapestry of panel discussions and fireside chat designed to educate, inspire, and drive innovation in the connected TV advertising landscape. Esteemed thought leaders from media agencies, seasoned marketers, and technology visionaries shared their insights, experiences, and forward-looking predictions. The vibrant exchange of ideas not only enhanced attendees’ knowledge but also provided a valuable platform for networking and forging new partnerships.
The day started with opening remarks from Rahul Puri, the Founder and Editor of Agency Reporter, setting the stage for a series of insightful discussions and valuable networking opportunities.
Panel Discussion 1: The CTV Rollercoaster: A Ride Through the Past Year
The symposium commenced with an engaging panel discussion titled “The CTV Rollercoaster: A Ride Through the Past Year.” This session underscored the remarkable growth of connected TV over the past year, driven by a surge in streaming and a decline in traditional TV viewership. Distinguished panelists Anil Suryavamshi, Associate Vice President, Digital Planning at Carat India; Suman Pal, Head of Media, Analytics & Partnership at Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting; Dr. Ashish Bajaj, Chief Marketing Officer at Narayana Health; Meeta Gupta, Lead Associate Account Director at The Trade Desk; and Arvind Sainath, Head of Marketing Effectiveness & Media/Digital Planning at DIAGEO India, moderated by Shutapa Paul, Founder at Dharma Media Consultants, explored the impact of CTV’s rise on traditional TV networks and the consequent shifts in advertisers’ budget allocations.
Whiteboard Session: Unveiling CTV’s Potential: A Whiteboard of Possibilities
Following the initial discussion, the symposium featured a dynamic whiteboard session titled “Unveiling CTV’s Potential: A Whiteboard of Possibilities.” Moderated by Nikhil Kumar, Chief Growth Officer at mediasmart, this interactive session included insights from Akash Jain, Head of Media at Flipkart; Anil Gurnani, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at TTK Prestige Kitchen Appliances; Nachiket Deole, Director Sales at DoubleVerify; and Abhishek Upadhya, Senior Vice President, Digital Strategy & Innovation at Hiveminds. The dialogue focused on the extensive opportunities CTV presents to advertisers, content creators, and viewers, fostering real-time generation of innovative ideas.
Panel Discussion 2: From Stadium to Screen: Navigating Sports Marketing Across CTV
Following the Whiteboard session, attendees were treated to an in-depth discussion on the second panel discussion, “From Stadium to Screen: Navigating Sports Marketing Across CTV,” examined the transformative influence of CTV on sports marketing. Esteemed panelists Shawn Chandy, Chief Marketing Officer at Paragon Footwear; Nitin Khanna, Vice President Marketing at Acko; Gaurav Tyagi, AVP, Media Planning at Interactive Avenues; and Loveleen Gajria, Head of Media at PhonePe, moderated by Jayanth Kumar, Senior Business Director at DoubleVerify, delved into topics such as audience targeting, personalized experiences, and new monetization models within sports marketing.
Fireside Chat: Decoding the Surge: Escalating Numbers of Connected TV Users in India
An insightful fireside chat, “Decoding the Surge: Escalating Numbers of Connected TV Users in India,” featured prominent speakers Shalini Sinha, Group Service Line Leader, Brand Health Tracking (BHT) and Creative Excellence (CRE) at Ipsos India, and Lakshman Velayutham, Chief Marketing Officer at Ujjivan Small Finance Bank. They dissected the driving forces behind the rapid adoption of CTV in India, highlighting shifting consumer behaviors and technological advancements.
Panel Discussion 3: The Rise of FAST: Disrupting the Connected TV Landscape
The event culminated in the final panel discussion, “The Rise of FAST: Disrupting the Connected TV Landscape.” This session explored the disruptive impact of Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) platforms on the TV industry. Moderated by Himanshu Arora, Co-Founder at SocialPanga, the panel featured Venkatesh Kidambi, Chief Digital Transformation Officer at MTR; Ananya Agrawal, Head of Digital Marketing & Media, Premium Business at TVS Motor Company; Chetan Sharma, Head of Digital Marketing at Cleartrip; and Saurabh Jain, Country Head, Media at BMEG, who shared insights into the popularity of FAST services, diverse business models, and the effectiveness of advertising on these platforms.
The Connected TV Asia Symposium succeeded in its mission to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and ignite innovation within this rapidly evolving ecosystem. By providing a platform for insightful discussions and networking, the symposium left attendees enriched with valuable knowledge and inspired by innovative ideas to propel the industry forward.