The objective of The ITCH Summit 2024, a recently concluded event organized for the student community of Miles SoBA and media & advertising enthusiasts nationwide, was to impart knowledge and inspiration. The summit aimed to empower attendees to contribute positively to both personal growth and societal well-being. Serving as a platform for dreamers, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and social activists, the event embodied the ethos of transforming dreams into reality. Conceived and curated by Mr. Prateesh R Nair, Founder & CEO of Agency M and Miles School of Branding & Advertising (SoBA), the summit showcased compelling and inspiring stories from distinguished speakers, leaving a lasting impact.

Featuring Mr. Chandrakant Salunkhe, founder and president of SME Chamber of India, as the chief guest, The ITCH Summit unveiled a collaboration between Agency M and SME Chamber of India. This collaboration aims to develop branding solutions for SMEs’ “Made in India” products, utilizing the expertise of student interns from AgencyM to address real business challenges and contribute to nation-building.

Mr. Prateesh R Nair, reflecting on the summit, emphasized its significance as more than just an event. He described it as a testament to the power of aspirations and dreams, fostering a community dedicated to realizing those dreams.

The summit included insightful talks by luminaries such as Mr. Shekhar Naik, Ms. Kalpana Saroj, Mr. Ankur Chawla, Ms. Sunitha Krishnan, Nanjiyamma, and the dynamic duo JordIndian. Nanjiyamma, a National Award-winning singer, encouraged students to draw inspiration from her journey, while Vineeth “Beep” Kumar of JordIndian urged participants to find their own truth and nurture their hobbies.

A highlight of the summit was the unveiling of Guthli: Seeds of Today, Trees of Tomorrow, an Indian Ad Film Festival, conceived by Mr. Prateesh R Nair. Guthli aims to nurture creativity and originality in advertising, providing a launchpad for aspiring students. Notable personalities like Mr. K V Sridhar and Mr. Piyush Pandey graced the occasion, underscoring the festival’s mission to cultivate the next generation of advertising visionaries.

The launch also emphasized the importance of the Piyush Pandey and KV Sridhar scholarships for deserving students, celebrating ads, brands, ideas, and original work by young minds.

Reflecting on Guthli’s significance, Mr. Piyush Pandey emphasized the need to plant seeds of creativity now for future flourishing. Mr. K V Sridhar encouraged aspiring students to build successful one-on-one relationships to excel in advertising and marketing.

Guthli – Ad Film Festival aims to empower young creators and redefine the advertising landscape through workshops, masterclasses, and networking opportunities. It stands as a testament to the power of creativity and unconventional thinking.

The ITCH Summit 2024, orchestrated by the student committee of Miles SoBA and led by interns Preethi Rajaram and Rohit Sharma, showcased the hard work, passion, and talent of the student interns.