WOW Awards 2018: Industry Stalwarts Join The Experiential Venues Jury
by EVENTFAQS Bureau Business Events | March 1, 2018 | News
WOW Awards Asia WOW Awards and Convention Asia
WOW Awards Asia 2018 mark the 10th edition of Asia's largest recognition platform for the leaders across the Experiential Marketing, MICE, LIVE Entertainment, and Wedding industry (watch the 2017 video). The prestigious awards ceremony and convention is all set to take place in the second half of 2018.
WOW Awards Asia 2018 is scheduled for June 28-30, 2018 in New Delhi Aerocity and features 100 award categories in 5 groups making it the most holistic celebration of excellence in every aspect of creating memorable experiences.
We unveil to you the esteemed Jury members of Experiential Venues:
Siddharth Ganeriwala
Director, Aura Integrated Solutions
Siddharth Ganeriwala, is an event and experiential management specialist with nearly 20 years of experience. Specialising in providing top-notch corporate event solutions with his company Aura Integrated Solutions Pvt. Ltd, integrating the overall brand communication strategy by way of live moments, has been the USP of the company’s growth. The agency handles a global repertoire of clients apart from partnering Indian industry majors, offering turnkey solutions for Corporate launches, Conferences, Seminars, Awards, Concerts, Exhibition Space Design and Employee Events.
Sanjeev Pasricha
Director, C S Direkt Events & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd
Sanjeev Pasricha is a strategic Leader who has created business practices ahead of times. As Managing Director and CEO of C.S. Direkt Group of Companies which includes C.S. Direkt Events & Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd (experiential marketing), Destination Direkt (destination, incentives and management), Design Matrix (exhibitions and retail) and Vision Direkt (Content and Digital Marketing). Working Closely with Brands like Mercedes, Canon, Microsoft, and Honda he has contributed immensely in shaping their BTL and marketing strategies and has been applauded and appreciated for his role for the same.
Rasheed Sait
Vice President & Managing Director, George P. Johnson
Rasheed Sait is an Advertising and Event Marketing veteran of over 25 years. Under his leadership GPJ India team expanded to 150+ people, at its peak and was awarded ‘Specialist agency of the Year 2012’ by Campaign Asia. In the same year, Rasheed was awarded the ‘Indira Excellence Award’ for his contribution to the event and experiential industry in India. Over the last 15 years, Rasheed has built GPJ India into an agency reputed for delivering "Results Driven, Best in Class Experience Marketing solutions"
Naveen Rizvi
Business Head & Vice President, ICE Integrated
Naveen has 19 years rich experience of handling MICE business in India and overseas. In his current role as the Executive Director for ICE- Integrated Conference & Event Management and Regional Director India & Indian Ocean for Pacific World, he is responsible for Corporate Meetings & Incentives, Conferences & Events within India and overseas. Naveen is also part of Pacific World Management Board representing India, Nepal, Bhutan, South Africa, Middle East, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and the Maldives.
Monimita Sarkar
MD, KW Conferences
A qualified lawyer, Monimita joined KW Conferences soon after its inception in 1994. In her 23 years of service, she has been instrumental in developing and leading the services and support for societies and associations in India with national and international conventions and conferences. She has seen huge growth of KW Conferences, with it becoming the most respected PCO in India. Presently, Monimita is a Board Member of Association of Association Executives.
Naveen Kundu
Founder & Managing Director, Leisure Corp
Naveen has been leading Leisure Tours, now known as Leisure Corp for 21 years. Leisure Tours today is a leading player in the industry with over 100 crores of top line business from its MICE, Inbound and holiday distribution business. Innovative, sales driven and a result oriented achiever, Naveen is focused on achieving results in highly competitive environments that demand continuous improvement and a dynamic approach. Naveen has been constantly leading the way the industry should grow and has been working with other leading players to streamline sales and profitability by helping the industry increase the size of the holiday and travel market in India.
Aditya Motwane
Director, Motwane Entertainment and Weddings
Over the last 20 years, Aditya Motwane been mustering up great ideas and delighting people with endearing event experiences, creating buzzing, high-energy, award-winning celebratory milestones. He has handled multiple portfolios across the arena of Sports, Fashion, Entertainment, Celebrity and Wedding Management Services; Conceptualised and executed a range of high-profile, memorable events including (but not limited to) Stage shows and Concerts, Awards Ceremonies, Fashion Shows and Weddings; Ensured innovation & flawless execution across all projects! In 2013, he launched ‘MEW’ (Motwane Entertainment & Weddings), an eponymous multi-discipline events crafting & services venture, focused on planning & executing bespoke perfection in the luxury space.
Oum Pradutt
MD, Phase 1 Events & Experiences
Oum Pradutt is Managing Director & Founder of Phase 1 Events & Experiences, headquartered in Bangalore, India. For more than two decades, Phase 1 has made its mark in the industry through impactful, brand-focused events with innovative use of technology and creative prowess. Oum has been a panelist for the MuseExpo in Los Angeles and London, BigSound in Brisbane and the One Movement for Music festival in Perth. Closer to home, he has also been on the jury of the Live Quotient awards, the Ritz Style awards, and is an active member of the Event & Entertainment Management Association of India.
Sushil Shamlal Wadhwa
Founder & CMD, Platinum World Grroup
Sushil founded 'Platinum World Grroup'(PWG), a conglomerate with interests in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Events), High End Weddings, Luxury Travel, TV & Film Production, Talent & Artist Management in 2002, with an associate network spread across 200+ destinations in 80+ countries that collectively handle a business of over USD 3.5 Billion. PWG has since executed 1000s of projects in over 73 countries, under his stewardship, delighting over half a million people.
Sumit Chandhoke
CEO, Salt Experiential Marketing
With over 20 years’ experience in the events industry, Sumit has created and managed some of the biggest and most innovative events in India and abroad. A determination driven by a passion to create experiences that endure and prove memorable has energized and motivated him to mastermind a number of corporate and special projects, including the 1st automated special effects show in India. Almost all of his achievements have received accolades and recognition in the industry.
Thanush Joseph
Director - Marketing, Seventy EMG
Thanush Joseph is one of the founder directors of Seventy EMG. He plays a pivotal role managing the Client Servicing, Sales and Seventy EMG’s Communications. Thanush brings together creative and strategic event solutions to our roster of discerning clients. He has the ability to think through client problems from both a theoretical and practical perspective, all dispensed with an easy going and friendly charm. Thanush has been instrumental in securing many high-end accounts like Harley-Davidson, Skoda, Mercedes Benz and Diageo. He has also been responsible for setting up the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Haig Vintage Rally, The Skoda Prize and more recently the India Bike Week.
Neha Seth Arora
CEO, Var Vadhu
The life force of Var Vadhu, Neha Seth Arora is a hospitality expert with over 10 years of experience in designing dream weddings. She has lent her attention to detail and expertise to various events hosted by high profile families like the Raheja's, Oberoi's, Saraf's, Wasan's, Bhojwani's, Tayals, and the Jhunjhunwala's during her stint at the Grand Hyatt. Her drive and passion for guest satisfaction ensures that every event is the talk of the town long after it is over. Also the course director of the wedding academy which has trained over 200 students aspiring to become wedding planners.
Mahesh Shirodkar
Director, Tamarind Global
A veteran of the tourism, hospitality, and destination management industry, Mahesh has spent 35+ years in a variety of roles encompassing inbound and outbound holidays, corporate travel and event management, both in the B2B and B2C arenas. For the last 20 years, he has set up, owned and managed his own companies. He is currently Managing Director of Tamarind Global, a company with a topline in excess of INR 180 crores. Tamarind Global is a focused destination and event management company based in India, offering bespoke solutions for individuals and corporates. The company extends highly customised travel services across the globe, and provides seamless logistics on a turnkey basis for weddings, events and MICE.
Geetanjali Alamshah
Director, Universal Journey
An Industry Veteran for more than 20 Years, Geetanjali AlamShah is the founder of Universal Journeys. With an experience spanning 1000+ programs for more than 100 corporate clients she carved an unparalleled niche for herself in the corporate travel industry with her tremendous hands on experience and first-hand knowledge of a destination. She personally tests every aspect of a trip from destinations, hotels, restaurants and guides. She tracks down the newest of the new – but also uncovers the classic authentic gems. As the backbone of Universal Journeys, she is constantly delivering value-additions beyond expectations.
Pramod Gaikwad
Director, ICE Global
Pramod has been at the helm of ICE Global since 2000. Previously he worked with the Lowe Lintas group in the capacity of a Manager for a year from 1999 to 2000.
Atul Nath
Founder and MD, Candid Marketing
Atul is Founder & MD of Candid Marketing. After completing his MBA from IIM Bangalore, Atul set up Candid Marketing. Candid is now the No. 1 Brand Activation Agency in India, named so by The Economic Times: Brand Equity and is one of India’s most awarded Experiential Marketing and Brand Activation agencies. Atul has served on the Promo & Activation jury at Cannes Lions, Spikes Asia and has been on the Campaign India A List for several years. Atul is a regular on industry award juries over the past few years. Atul has been actively involved in some of the most successful brand launch and activation campaigns, for Cadbury, Godrej, Bacardi, Too Yumm, Pogo, Nissan, Grant Thornton, Hyundai, Oakley, Levi's, Colgate, Pure It, Disney, Muthoot, Danone, Dunkin Donuts, Google, ITC, Unilever, Star TV, Nokia, Microsoft, Saffola, and Kingfisher to name a few.
Vandana Aggarwal
Director, Communique
As the Director of Communique, Vandana specialises in creating Experiential Marketing Programs - with a focus on technology led, creative Corporate Events (Product Launch Events - Consumer/Channel/Media , MICE, CSR events) , Brand activations (Malls, Roadshows, In-store, RWAs and other locations) and Shopper Marketing Programs (spanning Loyalty Programs, Visual Merchandising, Design & production, Mystery Consumer Programs, Incentive Meets).
Rajesh Varma
Director, CRI Events Pvt. Ltd.
A champion of curating bespoke experiences and activations, Rajesh has given the experiential industry a new dimension. Rajesh, as the founder member of EEMA, has served as the General Secretary, Treasurer and has administered a steady growth of the association over a decade. He has been instrumental in bringing together the stake holders of the experiential industry on a common platform and has left a huge impact on the association and the industry at large. Rajesh runs his own experiential agency by the name of Curtain Raisers Inc. aka CRI Events pvt ltd for over 2 decades. An alumni of Xaviers, his life revolves around his 2 children Ansh and Myra, and his wife Meenu who is an integral part of CRI. An avid traveller and reader, his life philosophy is “live and let live” and has a burning desire to see all the countries in the world before God’s plans take over.
Pawan Bansal
COO, Jagran Solutions
With over 16 years of Experience in Petroleum , Healthcare and Media Industry. His specialties are Sales and Distribution, Media. Before taking over the post of the COO at Jagran Solutions, Pawan was the Vice President of Jagran Engage. Having had an exposure across diverse businesses, Pawan’s strong leadership skills and experience strengthen Jagran Solutions’ positioning and help in consolidating its position amongst the best activation agencies in the country.
Ramesh Bhaskaran
National Creative Director, Madison OOH
With more than 19 years of experience in all aspects of the end-to-end creative process, Ramesh Bhaskaran has traversed through Radio, Television, Experiential Marketing, and Outdoor Media. His problem-solving abilities and eye for detail have earned him a reputation in conceptual and visual breakthroughs. His career trajectory records more than 100 awards across industry platforms. As National Creative Director (Madison OOH) he spearheads creative solutions in areas of Experiential Marketing, Outdoor Media, Retail, Rural, and 360-Degree Integrations.
Mandeep Malhotra
Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer, The Social Street
Mandeep Malhotra is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Social Street, incepted in 2015. Mandeep (Mandy as the world affectionately knows him) comes with over 20 years of experience with an acumen on business, strategic media planning, business development and client relationship management. With over 200 awards in the category of promotions, activation, outdoor and media including Cannes Lions, D&AD Pencils, Abbys & Emvies, he has a lot of firsts to his credit.
Tabassum Modi
Founder & Director, Victor Tango
Tabassum is a serial entrepreneur, National Film Awards winner and has over a decade of rich experience in the business of entertainment and education. She is an alumnus of SP Jain Institute of Management and currently runs a highly respected and award winning media company called Victor Tango. Victor Tango is a content power house for TV, web series, and brand solutions as well as market leaders in the kids events and activations business. Tabassum is a specialist in creating meaningful brand activation properties in the education segment. She also currently serves in the leadership team of EEMA (Events & Experiential Marketing Association) as the Vice President – West region.
Manoj Gopalani
Director, Seventy Seven Entertainment Pvt Ltd
Manoj Gopalani, a force to be reckon with, founded an Event Management Company with two friends Aditya Mehra and Daryl Sheldon in 2002. In a very short span of time, 7ty7 Entertainment Pvt Ltd became a successful agency within the Event Industry. Var Vadhu, a Wedding Management Company; 9ty9 Travel Management, brandIT a Corporate Gifting company; and 22nd Avenue, a Talent Management Company soon followed after. Hard work accompanied with the aim to deliver the best has always been Manoj's work mantra. Manoj's work ethic has won many hearts and ensured scores of successful events.
Rajeev Kohli
Managing Director, Creative Travel
Rajeev Kohli was born into the industry and has a passion for travel and showing India to the world. With 23 years of industry experience, today he is Joint Managing Director of Creative Travel, a family legacy of two generations that has showcased this part of the world for over 40 years. Creative has grown to become a prominent, respected and independent DMC offering the finest of cultural experiences, personal immersions and natural wonders all over India and South Asia. At Creative, he focuses on marketing and strategy initiatives. He also has also contributed in making Creative the most globally awarded DMC in South Asia winning over 53 global and nationals awards & recognitions for our service and creativity. Rajeev is also passionate about incentive travel and has taken his team to win 6 SITE Crystal awards for excellence in incentive travel programs, the most of any company in all of Asia.
Aarti Manocha
Director, Milestones to Memories
Aarti Manocha has founded MtoM in 2016 and since then, she has accomplished multiple latrge scale events and weddings, crafting memories for the couple and their families. Previously, Aarti has worked with Tamarind Tours Pvt Ltd for over 10 years as the Executive Director.
Farid Khan
Director - Wedniksha
Associated with India’s leading event planning and execution company Wizcraft, for over 14 years, Farid has conceptualized and executed prestigious national and international events like Commonwealth Games, IIFA Awards, Hinduja wedding in Udaipur and the South African Of The Year Awards, to name a few. His expertise and dedication is what moves Wedniksha ahead in its growth trajectory.
Piyush Gupta
President, Kestone Integrated Marketing Services Pvt. Ltd.
Piyush Gupta, President, Kestone IMS (the first integrated sales and marketing organisation) has been in this this industry for over a decade now with a strong understanding of sales processes and marketing strategies. In a brief span he has been able to catapult Kestone to an orbit which is unexplored by others. Under his supervision, Kestone has also managed to become one of the strongest youth marketing organizations in the country with a presence over 100+ cities and creating IPs which can be leveraged by the brands. With his forward thinking, he has been able to put Kestone in the global map by expanding to Singapore and Dubai. Among all this growth, what he has managed to keep constant is the focus on client satisfaction and quality of delivery. Kestone has a phenomenal commitment towards adding value to the client’s business growth.
Vibhor Kwatra
Chief Brand Manager, Jagran Prakashan Ltd
Vibhor Kwatra is currently the Chief Brand Manager for Jagran Prakashan Ltd., which has signature brands like Dainik Jagran, Midday and Radio City under it. He has also previously worked with Zee, Bennett Coleman and Co. Ltd. (Times Group) and Star News. A career spanning 13 years, he specialises in digital marketing, brand communication, brand activations including conceptualising, programming, production, promotion strategies for intellectual/entertainment properties. His work has won more than 100 awards in the last one year, including International accolades like Global Media Awards at the International News Media Association World Congress, Wan IFRA's Publish Asia, Hermes Creative Awards, Golden Awards of Montreux, and National awards including Abbies / Kyoorius / Effies amongst many others.
Khushbu Vaid
Director, Pentagon Events
With over 14+ years of experience Khushbu Vaid is the Director of Pentagon Events and Activations Pvt. Ltd. Having worked in several organisations the likes of 360 Degrees (a Times Group division for events) and Candid Marketing. Khushbu has been on both sides of the spectrum and has a great insight on how to curate a memorable and relevant experience. Creating waves in the festival circuit, her organisation has to its credit the prestigious Times Lit Fest, Goa Fest & The Mami Movie Mela. From curating unique and quirky experiences like levitating a magician in the middle of Bandstand in Mumbai to creating bespoke events that leave the audience mesmerised, she has done it all. Covering a wide array of possibilities she has led a team that caters to several industries ranging from media houses and manufacturing to Pharma and IT. A hands on leader she great at providing solutions and recognising talent in people. Hard to please. But, first to give credit to a great ideas as member of the Jury, she will be looking for the little things that create a big impact.
Nishit Shah
Director, Gobananas
With an extensive experience in media, marketing and experiential events, Nishit Shah has been instrumental in redefining the experiential events and activation trend in Western India. He started off by conceptualising and bringing about the country’s first print media state report, Gujarat INC marketing the state of Gujarat, during his stint with Dalal Street Journal (DSJ group).His strengths range from power-packed experiential events to mega-scale events with 360-degree integration and experiential activations. Some of his signature events include the Biggest India Day Parade Outside India held NYK US, experiential & engaging roadshows for Hon. Prime Minister & Head of States, International summits like the Smart India Realty Summit & Awards, Dubai, India’s largest multi-genre music festival – Timeout 72 and redefining 'Vibrant Navratri’ festival as World’s Largest Dance Festival by the name of Vibrant Navratri. Right from corporate events, launches, big fat weddings, government events, signature IP events, music festivals, and strategic implementation of ideas, he has been instrumental in creating strategies for sustainability along with risk mitigation for varied event formats. He is also the co-founder of design firm - Init Design Studios which has won several awards and accolades for outstanding design across various spectrums.
Introducing the esteemed Jury members of Experiential Venues category, WOW Awards Asia 2018.