Where Marketing Leaders
Shape What's Next

Join industry pioneers for a day of deep insights, unparalleled networking, and groundbreaking conversations...

CONFERENCE

June 18, 2026
The Westin, Goregaon, Mumbai

Partners

Presenting Partner:
Gold Partner:
Co-Partner:

Overview

Marketing has entered its most decisive phase yet—where AI is embedded, attention is fragmented, and culture moves faster than campaigns. The mandate for marketers is no longer just visibility, but continuous relevance and measurable impact.

The afaqs! Marketers' Excellence Conference & Awards 2026 brings together India’s most influential marketing leaders, disruptors, and growth architects to decode this shift—from campaign-led thinking to always-on, intelligence-driven systems.

From AI-native organizations and creator-led ecosystems to commerce-driven storytelling and privacy-first engagement, the conference is designed to deliver high-signal insights, real operator playbooks, and future-ready frameworks.

The Awards continue to recognise marketing that delivers real business outcomes, cultural relevance, and scalable innovation.

Speakers

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Rohit Dogra
Rohit Dogra

CEO Matches and Agarbatti Division

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LinkedIn
Anupam Katheriya
Anupam Katheriya

Chief Executive Officer

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LinkedIn
Rana Barua
Rana Barua

Group CEO, India, South East Asia & North Asia (Japan & South Korea)

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LinkedIn
Neelima Burra
Neelima Burra

SVP - Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer, Business Head - Omnichannel Retail and International Business

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LinkedIn
Sonam Pradhan
Sonam Pradhan

Head - Media & Digital Marketing (South Asia)

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LinkedIn
Zoher Kapuswala
Zoher Kapuswala

Chief Marketing Officer

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LinkedIn
Vikas Nair
Vikas Nair

Vice President & Head of Marketing and Communications

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LinkedIn
Rakhi Sharma
Rakhi Sharma

Vice President

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LinkedIn
Nikhil Sharma
Nikhil Sharma

Chief Marketing Officer

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LinkedIn
Janaki Patel
Janaki Patel

AGM Marketing

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LinkedIn
Rajat Srivastava
Rajat Srivastava

Head of Marketing

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Key Highlights

Visionary Keynotes
from India’s top CMOs and business leaders
Topical, High-Signal Panels
(less theory, more
operator insight)
Case Labs
Deep dives into real marketing playbooks
Leadership Conversations
Closed-door, candid discussions
Premium Networking
with decision-makers and brand custodians

Core Themes

AI–Native Marketing
  • From tools to transformation
  • Human + machine creativity: defining the new balance
The Algorithmic Consumer
  • Discovery is platform-led, not brand-led
  • Winning in low-attention, high-noise environments
Commerce as Media
  • Content → commerce convergence
  • Retail media, live commerce, and performance branding
From Campaigns to Systems
  • Always-on marketing vs burst campaigns
  • Building compounding brand narratives
Creator Economy 2.0
  • From influencer marketing to long-term IP partnerships
  • Measuring creator-led business impact
Trust, Privacy & Authenticity
  • Marketing in a consent-first world
  • Building credible, culturally relevant brands

Who Should Attend?

CMOs,
Chief Growth
& Digital Officers
Founders
& D2C Leaders
Brand &
Strategy Heads
Media,
Martech &
Data Leaders
Creative &
Content Leaders
Platforms,
Agencies &
Consultants

Partners

Partner

Presenting Partner:
Gold Partner:
Co-Partner: