Is FICCI Frames any longer worth the bother?

The 11th Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Frames were hosted in Mumbai, recently. The conference witnessed delegates and speakers from all over the world discussing and participating in issues related to media and entertainment.

Campaign India spoke to key people from advertising, media and marketing to learn what they gained out of attending FICCI Frames. Most were of the opinion that this year, the FICCI Frames were getting bigger in terms of the variety in issues discussed, while some were impressed with the inclusion of speakers related to marketing this year. However, for most, FICCI Frames continues to remain the perfect place to network and build new relationships.

Neeraj Roy, MD and CEO, Hungama Digital Entertainment feels that with each passing year, FICCI Frames is getting better and better. “FICCI Frames, as always, continues to bring relevant people together and have discussions on topics about the change that is happening around us.”

“I feel there are more people coming into FICCI this year; there are more foreign delegates that I have seen, especially in this year. Earlier I think it was restricted to films, especially the crossover genre, but there are a lot more topics that are covered today. I guess it’s getting bigger every year,” said Ashvini Yardi, programming head, Colors.

Shailesh Rao, managing director, Google India opines, “There are too many conferences in this world and in India. But, the reason I attend FICCI Frames is because of the participation, the quality of participants, not just the speakers but participants in general. They are decision makers, they are people from across the industry and who have a point of view. As a result what that means is that the dialogue of opportunities, the dialogue of sharing problems, the dialogue about what the industry needs to move forward, is very substantive.”

“FICCI Frames has become an annual event where all people related to entertainment, whether it is from movies, music or gaming, come together and meet up. It has become a centerpiece in the year where people block their calendars in advance. It’s a place where we meet people, get relationships going, there are a lot of meetings with our partners, vendors, other people that keep happening on the side. FICCI Frames has become the Mecca of entertainment in India.” says Ashim Mathur, director marketing – entertainment and devices division, Microsoft India.

R Gowthaman, leader, South Asia, Mindshare said, “I think the topics at this year’s FICCI Frames are more relevant vis-а-vis previous years. There are a lot more topics focusing on marketing. That is a significant shift. I think probably this time, the stakeholders are inclusive of a lot more industries. Instead of focusing only on movies and technology, it’s refreshing to see marketing being a focus as well, this year.”

 

 R. Gowthaman, leader, South Asia, Mindshare

“I think the topics at this year’s FICCI Frames arevery relevant. There are more topics discussing marketing. That is a significant shift. I think probably this time, the stakeholders are inclusive of a lot more industries. Instead of focusing only on movies and technology, it’s refreshing to see marketing being a focus as well. We had sent at least 10 people from our company to this year’s FICCI Frames. It is a forum where you get to meet non-industry people which is one of the reasons I insist that some of our team members come here and meet them, to know the industry that is media and entertainment, instead of just the media industry.”

 

Ashim Mathur, director marketing, entertainment and devices division, Microsoft India

“I have been attending FICCI Frames for the last four years. It has become an annual event where all people related to entertainment, whether it is movies, music, gaming, etc come together and meet up. It has become a centerpiece in the year where people block their calendars in advance; I most certainly do. It’s a place where we meet people, get relationships going, there are a lot of meetings with our partners, vendors, other people that keep happening on the side. FICCI Frames has become the Mecca of entertainment in India.”

 

Ashvini Yardi, programming head, Colors

“I feel there are more people coming in and that there are more foreign delegates that I have seen this year. The last I attended FICCI was around three or four years back.

There are a lot more delegates, plus there are a lot more different issues being discussed from a vast part of media. Earlier I think it was more restricted to films, crossover, especially, but there are a lot more topics that are covered today. I guess it’s getting bigger every year.”

 

Shailesh Rao, MD, Google India

“There are too many conferences in this world and in India. But, the reason I attend FICCI Frames is because of the participation, the quality of participants, not just of the speakers but participants in general. They are decision makers, they are people from across the industry and who have a point of view. As a result what that means is that the dialogue of opportunities, the dialogue of sharing problems, the dialogue about what the industry needs to move forward, is very substantive. I always come away with new relationships, new ideas and specific partnership opportunities.”

 

Neeraj Roy, MD and CEO, Hungama Digital Entertainment

“FICCI Frames continues to bring about relevant people, have discussions on topics about the change that is happening around us. I feel that it’s a wonderful forum, and with each year the forum keeps on growing. Yes, FICCI Frames is getting better and better each year.”