ADVERTISING CLUB TRIVANDRUM MARKS FIRST ANNIVERSARY WITH FIRESIDE CHAT ON ADVERTISING’S POWER  

Advertising Club Trivandrum celebrates its first anniversary with “The First ACT on Stage,” a fireside chat featuring Dr Shashi Tharoor MP and Navaneeth L V, CEO of The Hindu Group. The event, held at Hyatt Regency Trivandrum on 14 March, will explore advertising’s influence from brand-building to shaping public narratives.  

Advertising Club Trivandrum is set to mark its first anniversary with a landmark event that underscores the evolving role of advertising in shaping both commerce and culture. On 14 March, the Hyatt Regency Trivandrum will host “The First ACT on Stage,” a fireside chat that promises to be as insightful as it is celebratory. The session, titled “The Power of Advertising: From Brands to Public Narratives,” will bring together two distinguished voices: Dr Shashi Tharoor MP, a noted parliamentarian, author and orator, in conversation with Navaneeth L V, CEO of The Hindu Group.  

The choice of theme reflects the growing recognition that advertising is no longer confined to the realm of selling products or services. It has become a powerful tool in shaping perceptions, influencing public discourse, and even contributing to the way societies understand themselves. By inviting Dr Tharoor, whose career spans diplomacy, politics and literature, alongside Navaneeth L V, who leads one of India’s most respected media organisations, the Club has curated a dialogue that bridges the worlds of governance, media and brand communication.  

The fireside chat format is expected to encourage a free-flowing exchange of ideas, allowing the speakers to delve into the nuances of advertising’s impact. For Dr Tharoor, whose speeches and writings often highlight the importance of narrative in politics and culture, the discussion offers an opportunity to reflect on how advertising intersects with public life. Navaneeth L V, meanwhile, brings the perspective of a media leader navigating the challenges of credibility, audience engagement and brand positioning in an era of rapid digital transformation.  

The event is not only a celebration of the Club’s first year but also a statement of intent. Advertising Club Trivandrum was founded to create a platform for professionals, students and enthusiasts to engage with the creative and strategic dimensions of advertising. In its inaugural year, the Club has sought to foster dialogue, showcase talent and build a community that appreciates the craft and impact of communication. Hosting a conversation of this calibre signals its ambition to be a thought leader in the region’s creative economy.  

The timing of the event is significant. As brands increasingly take positions on social issues and as advertising campaigns become part of larger cultural conversations, the boundaries between commercial messaging and public narrative are blurring. From sustainability to inclusivity, advertising today often reflects—and sometimes shapes—the values of society. This raises questions about responsibility, ethics and influence, all of which are likely to feature in the fireside chat.  

For Trivandrum, a city with a growing creative and entrepreneurial ecosystem, the event adds to its cultural calendar and positions it as a hub for meaningful conversations in the advertising and media space. The Hyatt Regency, with its modern facilities, provides an apt backdrop for an evening that blends celebration with intellectual engagement.  

The Club’s decision to frame its anniversary around a dialogue rather than a purely festive gathering reflects its ethos: that advertising is not just about creativity and commerce, but about ideas that resonate and endure. By bringing together voices from politics and media, it underscores the interconnectedness of narratives across domains.  

As the audience gathers on 14 March from 5.30 pm onwards, they can expect more than a discussion on advertising techniques or market trends. They will witness a conversation about how stories—whether told by brands, politicians or media houses—shape the way people think, act and engage with the world. In celebrating its first year, Advertising Club Trivandrum is also celebrating the power of communication itself, reminding us that advertising, at its best, is not just about selling but about storytelling.  

The evening promises to be a milestone not only for the Club but also for the broader community of professionals and citizens who recognise that advertising is a mirror, a messenger and, increasingly, a maker of public narratives.