Conference | Networking

August 21, 2026 Fairfield by Marriott, Mumbai
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Overview

The media ecosystem is entering its most transformative phase yet. AI-led planning, commerce-driven discovery, fragmented consumer attention, retail media growth, creator-led influence, and evolving measurement frameworks are fundamentally reshaping how brands invest in media.

Today's marketers are expected to deliver precision targeting, measurable business outcomes, culturally relevant storytelling, and long-term brand equity — all while navigating an increasingly complex and privacy-conscious environment.

The afaqs! MediaQuest Summit 2026 brings together India's leading CMOs, media strategists, planners & buyers, agency leaders, digital innovators, platform specialists, and growth marketers to decode the next era of media planning and buying.

From AI-powered media intelligence and retail media networks to live sports, connected TV, creator commerce, and unified measurement frameworks — the summit will spotlight the trends, technologies, and strategic thinking defining the future of media investments.

Overview Graphic

What to Expect

01

Key Highlights

  • Visionary Keynotes from India's Leading Media & Marketing Leaders
  • Strategic Conversations on the Future of Media Investments
  • Deep-Dive Panels on AI, Retail Media, Commerce & Measurement
  • Real-World Brand Case Studies & Exclusive Fireside Chats
  • Networking with India's Top Advertisers, Agencies & Platforms
  • Insights into Consumer Attention, Culture & Content Ecosystems
02

Key Theme

  • AI-Powered Media Planning & Predictive Intelligence
  • Attention Metrics vs. Traditional Reach & Impressions
  • The Future of Measurement in a Privacy-First World
  • Creator Economy, Influencer Media & Community-Led Growth
  • Brand Building vs. Performance Marketing in 2026
  • Sports, Live Experiences & Culture-Led Media Investments
  • Hyper-Personalization Through Data & Automation
  • Media Fragmentation & Unified Consumer Journeys
03

Who Should Attend?

  • CMOs & Chief Growth Officers
  • Media Buying & Planning Leaders
  • Brand & Marketing Heads
  • Digital, Performance & Growth Marketers
  • OTT, Streaming & Platform Specialists
  • AdTech, MarTech & AI Solution Providers
  • Data, Analytics & Consumer Insights Team

SPEAKERS

Sam Balsara
Sam Balsara

Chairman

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Ankit Desai
Ankit Desai

Head - Media & Digital Marketing

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Niraj Ruparel
Niraj Ruparel

Creative Technology Lead

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Harshita Gaur
Harshita Gaur

Actress

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YB Kang
YB Kang

Chief Executive Officer

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Sujata Dwibedy
Sujata Dwibedy

Chief Executive Officer

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Anisha Iyer
Anisha Iyer

Chief Executive Officer

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Anita Kotwani
Anita Kotwani

Senior Partner Growth

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Prasad Shejale
Prasad Shejale

Founder & CEO

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Jaikishin Chhaproo
Jaikishin Chhaproo

Head Media & Brand PR

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Deepa Krishnan
Deepa Krishnan

Head of Marketing- Commercial Real Estate-

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Sajit Gopal
Sajit Gopal

Head of Media

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Suman Pal
Suman Pal

Head of Media, Analytics & Partnerships

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Gaurav Goyal
Gaurav Goyal

Chief Business Officer

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Shantanu Banerjee
Shantanu Banerjee

Head of Marketing

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Samar Kagalwalla
Samar Kagalwalla

Head – Brand & Marketing

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Mimi Deb
Mimi Deb

COO

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Pulak Narain
Pulak Narain

Head of Marketing

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Amandeep Malhari
Amandeep Malhari

Head of Marketing - White Cement and Paints

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Amit Sethiya
Amit Sethiya

Category - Head Brand and Marketing Communications - B2C

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Harmeet Singh
Harmeet Singh

Chief Brand Officer

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Somendu Singh
Somendu Singh

Chief Contributor

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Janaki Patel
Janaki Patel

AGM Marketing

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Monica Gandhi
Monica Gandhi

Co-Founder & COO

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AGENDA

09:00 - 10:00 hrs

Registration and Networking

10:00 - 10:10 hrs

Welcome Address by afaqs!

10:10 - 10:30 hrs

Keynote Address: Media in the Age of Intelligence: Reimagining Planning, Buying & Growth

Sam Balsara
Sam Balsara

Chairman

Madison World
10:30 - 10:50 hrs

Interview: The AI-Led Media Buyer: What Changes Next?

Ankit Desai
Ankit Desai

Head - Media & Digital Marketing

Marico
10:50 - 11:10 hrs

Partner Session

11:10 - 11:25 hrs

MQS Quiz

11:25 - 12:05 hrs

Leadership Panel: Where Will the Next ₹1000 Crore of Media Spend Go?

Sujata Dwibedy
Sujata Dwibedy

Chief Executive Officer

dentsu X
Anisha Iyer
Anisha Iyer

Chief Executive Officer

OMD India
Anita Kotwani
Anita Kotwani

Senior Partner Growth

Zoo Media
Prasad Shejale
Prasad Shejale

Founder & CEO

LS Digital Group
Mimi Deb
Mimi Deb

COO

Madison Media Plus
YB Kang
YB Kang

Chief Executive Officer

KRAFTON Ad Platform India
12:05 - 12:15 hrs

India’s Next Core Audience Is Playing: Understanding Gamers and Unlocking the Gaming Opportunity

YB Kang
YB Kang

Chief Executive Officer

KRAFTON Ad Platform India
12:15 - 12:30 hrs

Networking Break

12:30 - 13:00 hrs

Fireside Chat: Creators, Communities & Commerce: The New Media Flywheel

Sajit Gopal
Sajit Gopal

Head of Media

Dominos
Harshita Gaur
Harshita Gaur

Actress

13:00 - 13:20 hrs

Panel Discussion: Retail Media Networks: The Fastest Growing Ad Economy

Shantanu Banerjee
Shantanu Banerjee

Head of Marketing

Dollar Industries
13:20 - 14:15 hrs

Lunch

14:15 - 14:45 hrs

Case Lab: Building an Intelligent Brand: Where Media, Data & AI Converge

Niraj Ruparel
Niraj Ruparel

Creative Technology Lead

WPP & WPP MEDIA
14:45 - 15:00 hrs

MQS Quiz

15:00 - 15:30 hrs

Panel Discussion: Beyond Media Metrics: How Modern Marketers Drive Growth

Gaurav Goyal
Gaurav Goyal

Chief Business Officer

Canara Robeco Mutual Fund
Deepa Krishnan
Deepa Krishnan

Head of Marketing- Commercial Real Estate-

Edelweiss Alternate Asset Advisors
Samar Kagalwalla
Samar Kagalwalla

Head – Brand & Marketing

CSB Bank
Pulak Narain
Pulak Narain

Head of Marketing

Titan Company Limited
Amit Sethiya
Amit Sethiya

Category - Head Brand and Marketing Communications - B2C

Polycab India
Harmeet Singh
Harmeet Singh

Chief Brand Officer

The Body Shop Asia South
15:30 - 16:00 hrs

Panel Discussion: Connected TV, OTT & the Battle for Premium Attention

Jaikishin Chhaproo
Jaikishin Chhaproo

Head Media & Brand PR

ITC
Suman Pal
Suman Pal

Head of Media, Analytics & Partnerships

Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting
Amandeep Malhari
Amandeep Malhari

Head of Marketing - White Cement and Paints

JK Cement Limited
Somendu Singh
Somendu Singh

Chief Contributor

CTV Scale
14:00 - 15:00

The Second Screen Effect: How Brands Can Capitalize on Dual Viewing Experiences

Shantanu Banerjee
Shantanu Banerjee

Head of Marketing

Dollar Industries
Amandeep Malhari
Amandeep Malhari

Head of Marketing - White Cement and Paints

JK Cement Limited
Janaki Patel
Janaki Patel

AGM Marketing

Havmor Ice Cream
*Note: The timings of this agenda are subject to change.

Secure Your Seat

August 21, 2026 · Fairfield by Marriott, Mumbai

Register Now