The 25th edition of the EMVIES, one of the most prestigious events in the Indian advertising industry, was expected to be a night of glitz and celebration. However, the absence of several high-profile agency CEOs cast a shadow over the event, raising questions about the impact of an ongoing Competition Commission of India (CCI) probe into alleged media cartelization.

The EMVIES, held on March 28, 2025, saw notable absences from industry stalwarts such as Shashi Sinha (IPG Mediabrands), Anupriya Acharya (Publicis Groupe South Asia), Kartik Sharma (Omnicom Media Group), Harsha Razdan (Dentsu), Rana Barua (Havas India), and Dheeraj Sinha (FCB Group). Even their leadership teams were missing in action.

This absence is linked to recent raids conducted by the CCI on major media agencies and industry bodies like the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI), Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA), and Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF). The investigation centers around allegations of media cartelization, which has led legal advisors to recommend that agency leaders avoid industry events and inter-agency communication to prevent further scrutiny.

The CCI’s raids have sent shockwaves through the advertising world. Legal experts have cautioned that attending industry events or discussing investigations could raise further suspicions and even become part of the probe. A top CCI lawyer explained, “In cartel cases, it is advised to avoid gatherings or discussions that could appear as coordinated actions.”

Adding to the tension was an advisory from AAAI urging agencies not to discuss the investigation. However, this advisory was leaked, leading to speculation about whether agencies were already engaging in behind-the-scenes conversations. One industry veteran remarked, “Making it official only raises suspicions—it suggests there’s more happening than meets the eye.”

Despite the cloud of uncertainty, some leaders made their presence felt at EMVIES. Sam Balsara (Madison World), Prasanth Kumar (GroupM), and Rathi Gangappa (Starcom India) attended the event, signaling resilience in challenging times. GroupM emerged as a dominant force at EMVIES, with its agencies Wavemaker, Mindshare India, and EssenceMediacom winning top awards.

The GroupM leadership team—including Praseed Prasad, Priti Murthy, Amin Lakhani, Ajay Mehta, Atique Kazi, Vinit Karnik, and Shekhar Banerjee—was present to celebrate their victories. Their attendance highlighted a quiet determination to move forward despite regulatory pressures.

The absence of major players at EMVIES raises concerns about upcoming events like Goafest, scheduled for May 2025. With the advertising world under heightened scrutiny from regulators, will industry leaders continue to stay away from public gatherings? Or will they return to reclaim their place in the spotlight?

Goafest has long been a symbol of creative excellence and camaraderie in Indian advertising. However, as whispers of caution grow louder, the specter of regulatory oversight threatens to dull its brilliance. The question remains: will Goafest witness a triumphant return of advertising titans or be overshadowed by their continued absence?

The EMVIES 2025 showcased both resilience and caution within the Indian advertising industry. While some leaders chose to stay away due to legal concerns stemming from the CCI probe, others stood firm in celebrating creative achievements. As regulatory scrutiny intensifies, the industry faces a delicate balancing act between maintaining transparency and preserving its collaborative spirit.

Key Highlights:

• EMVIES 2025 saw notable absences from top agency CEOs amid fears linked to CCI’s media cartelization probe.
• Legal advisors recommended avoiding industry events to prevent further scrutiny.
• Some leaders attended despite tensions; GroupM agencies dominated award wins.
• Concerns loom over future events like Goafest under regulatory oversight.