DEFY FEST brings world class advertising and marketing training to Colombo free

Thursday, 22 May 2025 02:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

DEFY CCO Dilshara Jayamanna

In a bold move to democratise access to world-class advertising and marketing knowledge, DEFY, Sri Lanka’s youngest independent advertising agency, is hosting a two-day creative festival featuring some of the most influential names in the region- entirely free of charge.

DEFY FEST, taking place on 29 and 30 May, aims to raise the bar for marketing and advertising standards in Sri Lanka by offering ADFEST or Spikes Asia-level workshops, talks, and masterclasses to professionals and students alike. The main sessions on day one will take place at Bishop’s College Auditorium, while the workshops on day two will be held at Rise Up, Colombo 03.

The lineup features a formidable roster of regional leaders: Publicis Groupe, Japan Chief Transformation Officer Sosuke Koyama, Award-winning Producer at Firecracker, India Harsh Dave, Talented, India (Multiple Cannes Grand Prix and Titanium Lion winner) Founding Partner and Creative Binaifer Dulani, UAE-based consultancy Vexology Advertising (Multiple Cannes Lions winner) Founder Assam Khalid, Fighting Fit Brands, India Brand Strategist and Founder Saji Abraham and The Script Room Founder Director at Coconut Films, India and

acclaimed storyteller Rajesh Ramaswamy.

Each speaker will deliver tailored sessions to inspire, educate, and energise the next generation of Sri Lankan communicators. Their presence, typically reserved for high-profile regional festivals, underscores DEFY FEST’s commitment to accessibility and excellence.

“Access to cutting-edge thinking and training shouldn’t be limited to the few who can afford it,” said DEFY CCO Dilshara Jayamanna, who is a 20-year veteran of advertising in Sri Lanka. “We created DEFY FEST to bring global-standard learning home, without the price tag. It’s an investment in the future of our industry.”

The event is supported by a growing list of local champions. Revello and Zesta have come on board as Gold Sponsors, while food brand Nutrifix joins as Bronze Sponsor. The Daily FT serves as the official print media partner, reinforcing the festival’s positioning as a credible, industry-shaping initiative.

While the festival is free, access is carefully curated. Invitations have been extended to agency leaders, marketing heads, and student coordinators across selected institutions. Students and professionals who have not received a formal invite can apply to join the waitlist via defyfest.lk. Confirmations for waitlisted delegates will begin rolling out after 20 May.

The initiative comes at a critical moment for Sri Lanka’s creative industry, which continues to grapple with talent shortages and brain drain in the aftermath of the country’s economic turbulence. By making top-tier knowledge more accessible, DEFY hopes to ignite a new wave of creative confidence and professional resilience.

As regional borders blur and brands demand more agile, future-ready thinking, DEFY FEST positions Sri Lanka not as a passive recipient of knowledge, but as an active participant in shaping Asia’s creative dialogue.