On the opening day of WAVES 2025, a masterclass on brand-building delivered by the Chief Strategy Officer of Ogilvy, Prem Narayan, offered deep insights into how culture can be harnessed to build brands that resonate with the Indian consumer. In his session titled “Culture as a Fuel to Build Brands”, Mr Narayan underscored the pivotal role of cultural relevance in shaping brand narratives and influencing consumer behaviour. He showcased how advertising in India has evolved by rooting itself in cultural traditions and how brands that align with cultural values are more likely to earn enduring consumer loyalty.

The World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit 2025 paid a heartfelt tribute to Bollywood legend Manoj Kumar through a session titled “Remembering Manoj Kumar: Ace Filmmaker, True Nationalist”. Moderated by film critic and podcaster Mayank Shekhar, the session brought together Kunal Goswami, actor and son of Manoj Kumar, who shared fond memories of the late actor, affectionately known as ‘Bharat Kumar’.