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15th October, 2025

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Agenda

Theme : “Human. Creative. Independent. – The Heart of Digital in an Age of Algorithms”


08:30 am - 09:30 am
Registrations with Networking Tea & Breakfast
Session 1
Introduction & Welcome Address
  • Dr Annurag Batra
    Chairman and Editor in Chief, BW BusinessWorld Founder, e4m
Session 2
Lead Talk
Owning The Next Decade Of Digital
  • Atul Hegde
    Founder, YAAP
Session 3
Spotlight Session
Winning & Keeping: How Independent Agencies Can Thrive Amid Big Shark Pressure
  • Harshil Karia
    Founder, Schbang
Session 4
The AI Panel- Panel 1
One in a Million or One to a Million? Cracking Hyperpersonalisation with AI in India’s Digital Jungle

This panel explores how Indian agencies are leveraging AI—from predictive analytics and conversational tools to real-time creative adaptation—to craft messages that speak to the individual, not the demographic.

  • Surbhi Gupta
    Head digital, Birla Opus Paints
  • Tejas Apte
    General Manager, Media DMC, HUL
  • Riya Joseph
    Head of Media, Britannia
  • Amit Rathi
    Managing Director, Channel Factory
  • Anchal Arora
    Founder & MD, 1702 Digital
  • Moderator: Mehul Gupta
    Co-Founder and CEO, SoCheers
Session 5
Keynote
The Making of an Independent Network
  • Moderator: Ratnakar Patnaik
    MD, LIC CORPORATION OF INDIA
Session 6
Spotlight session
Kargo Spotlight session
  • Nabajit Nath
    Sales Director, Kargo India
Session 7
Keynote
"Reimagining Legacy Brands for the Digital Age"
  • Moderator: Prasad Shejale
    Founder and CEO, LS Digital
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Networking Lunch
Session 8
Spotlight Session
Human-Centric AI in Creative Campaigns: Striking the Balance of Trust, Emotion & Efficiency
  • Shradha Agarwal
    Co-Founder and Global CEO, Grapes Worldwide
Session 9
Panel 2
Beyond Translation: Marketing to the Heartlands

As India’s internet user base deepens into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the rules of digital engagement are shifting.

- This panel explores how agencies, brands, and platforms are evolving to meet this moment:

  • Designing language-first campaigns that resonate beyond translation
  • The rise of vernacular SEO and region-specific performance marketing
  • Tapping into local influencer ecosystems with trust and relatability
  • Building voice-first experiences in Indian languages
  • Scaling personalization without losing authenticity
  • Whether you're a national brand or an independent agency, regional storytelling is no longer a side strategy—it’s the main stage.
  • Raj Gilra
    VP/Business Head - Core Salt, Tata Consumer Products Limited
  • Shetanshu Dikshit
    Lead Digital Communications, Pernod Ricard India
  • Kaustubh Jha
    Head - Sports & Entertainment Marketing And Global Cricket Lead, The Coca-Cola Company
  • Sujala Martis
    Director - Consumer Marketing, Platinum Guild International
  • Harmeet Singh
    Chief Brand Officer, The Body Shop Asia South
  • Meha Parekh
    Brand Head, Samsonite
  • Suruchi Kore
    Head of Digital and Social Strategies, Group Communication, Bajaj Group
  • Gaurav Dagaonkar
    CEO & Co-founder, Hoopr
  • Moderator: Ahmed Aftab Naqvi
    Global CEO & Co-founder, GOZOOP
Session 10
Panel 3
Community-Led Brand Building -From Followers to Founders: Building Brands with Communities, Not Just Campaigns.

Traditional influencer marketing is evolving. In 2025, smart brands are focusing on building communities, not just collecting impressions. This panel explores how independent agencies are crafting niche ecosystems where culture, content, and co-creation collide. Think WhatsApp micro-tribes, creator collectives, and zero-spend virality driven by loyal audiences.

  • Aniket Basu
    Chief Digital Officer, Loreal
  • Tanmay Prusty
    CMO, Crompton
  • Pratik Gupta
    Co Founder, FoxyMoron Zoo Media
  • Manas Gulati
    Co-Founder & CEO, Arm Worlwide
  • Siddharth Dabhade
    Chief Business Officer, LEMMA
Session 11
Spotlight Session
“How to Future-Proof Your Agency.”
  • Vikas Chawla
    Co-Founder, Social Beat
Session 12
Spotlight Session
Rewiring the Agency DNA: How DViO Turned Agility and AI into Competitive Advantage
  • Sowmya Iyer
    Founder & CEO, DVIO Digital
Session 13
Stand Alone Session
Staying real in a Digital World : The influencer's edge in the age of AI
  • Abhishek Das
    Partner, E&Y
Session 14
Spotlight Session
In The World of MNCs, How to Make a Successful Independent Agency
  • Manish Porwal
    Managing Director, Alchemist Group
5 pm onwards

“Networking Break & Registrations for e4m Maverick Awards 2025”