HOW TO LOOK BEYOND A HANDFUL OF LOCAL ADVERTISERS IN THE REGION
Keynote Speaker Barun Chanda on Ways to Put the Spin Back on Brand Advertising in Kolkata
Brand Chorcha that unveiled its first edition on 5th June 2026 at Taj Bengal, Kolkata was cited as the first initiative of its kind by speakers and attendees. As the name Brand Chorcha amply suggests, it was in free-flowing Bengali for the most part and dwelt on brand discussions pertaining to the region – as rooted as it could be!
The speakers were well-known names from a range of sectors – corporate, entertainment, food and hospitality, social media, healthcare to name a few – and the audience included professionals of all ages as well as young management students. What happened at Brand Chorcha? In a nutshell, your regional brand queries were answered. For example – What makes a successful and lasting brand experience? How do we ensure that a brand lives up to its reputation? How important is budget and why it’s never a good idea to skimp on budget while planning a brand campaign? These and many more were threshed out over the day.
The keynote speaker of Brand Chorcha was Barun Chanda, eminent actor-author-advertising professional. His keynote address included a presentation in which he shone the light on several potential areas of product and – by extension – brand development in West Bengal. These, according to Chanda, could take the present stagnating advertising industry in the region to newer heights.
Chanda cited ‘black rice cultivation’. Black rice is a highly nutritious, unpolished, whole grain that’s packed with dietary fiber, iron, and protein. The defining colour (and hence the name) comes from its rich store of anthocyanins with super antioxidant power. These can combat inflammation, protect against chronic diseases and have higher antioxidant power than many well-known fruits. Antioxidants, Chanda pointed out, protect against free radicals in the blood that are the cause of many illnesses – and are believed to lower the risk of dementia and cancer. (* Research is ongoing to prove this fact conclusively.) Chanda said commercial cultivation of black rice, brown rice, and dhenki chhata chal were hugely viable options given the agricultural advantage of the region.
Another viable option was ‘dairy farming’. This sector could be taken notches higher with superior cheese production. The state already has large-scale, automated commercial setups which could extend their product range to add large-scale production of varieties of cheese that should find a ready market nationally and even abroad.
Chanda also dwelt on how geriatric care is rapidly rising as the region’s elderly population surges. Specialized, long-term ‘professional geriatric care’ is a pressing need in our times as traditional family structures are vanishing compelling the elderly to live alone. Innovative, professional solutions are required to address this current largely-unmet need. Here’s a gap that is widening daily and needs to be addressed fast. Hence, this is another sector that requires closer attention and carries considerable potential.
Barun Chanda’s next slide talked about ‘power generation’. Cleaner and sustainable alternatives to currently available ones will pave the way for sustaining modern society comfortably, meeting ever-increasing energy demands, and drive economic growth. These newer and cleaner alternatives will ensure future generations live their best lives on Earth.
Chanda stressed that due development of these sectors will not only propel advertising in the region but will take it beyond the clutch of retail and jewellery advertising that currently dominates our regional advertising. In the process, we will be creating powerful and successful brands with contemporary communication, the kind that Kolkata was hailed for in the past.
