Pioneering Excellence in Literary Events – The Times of India Literary Festival, Bangalore

Introduction: In the realm of digital marketing, Write Wing Media showcased its versatility in 2014 by stepping into the role of event manager for The Times of India’s debut literary festival in Bangalore. This case study underscores our capacity to not only conceptualize and market events but also to execute them seamlessly, even in the face of initial skepticism about sponsorships.

The Challenge: When The Times of India envisioned their inaugural literary festival in Bangalore, they turned to Write Wing Media through a mutual connection. The challenge was monumental: conceptualize the theme, secure an impressive array of speakers, manage logistics for 120 attendees, and create a unique experience that went beyond the traditional literary event.

The Strategy:

1. Conceptualization: Our team worked closely with The Times of India to conceptualize the theme of the literary festival, ensuring it resonated with the diverse audience and set the stage for engaging discussions.
2. Speaker Outreach: Write Wing Media undertook the formidable task of reaching out to and convincing renowned authors, scientists, politicians, actors, filmmakers, thinkers, and social celebrities to participate in the festival.
3. Session Pairing: Every speaker was meticulously paired with relevant counterparts for discussions on various topics, fostering dynamic and meaningful conversations.
4. Logistics Management: We pioneered a practice of providing escorts for non-resident speakers, ensuring a seamless experience from the airport to the hotel and back to the venue. This approach aimed to treat creative individuals with the utmost respect and professionalism.
5. Theatrical Elements: To enhance the festival experience, a touch of theatre was introduced on the premises, creating an immersive and memorable environment for attendees.
6. Publication of Short Stories: Recognizing the talent of young writers, Write Wing Media contributed to the festival’s richness by releasing a book of short stories, New Voices in the New Age, adding a creative dimension to the literary celebration.

The Implementation:

1. Speaker Coordination: Over the course of three months, Write Wing Media successfully coordinated with 120 speakers for 55 sessions, ensuring a diverse and engaging program for the 3-day festival at Jayamahal Palace courtyard.
2. Logistical Execution: Despite initial skepticism from The Times of India about sponsorship challenges, our team believed in the vision and worked diligently to make the event a reality, addressing logistical hurdles and ensuring a smooth execution.

The Results: The inaugural literary festival in Bangalore exceeded expectations:

• Diverse Speaker Lineup: The event featured 120 speakers from various fields, providing attendees with a rich and varied intellectual experience.
• Logistical Excellence: The introduction of escorts for non-resident speakers set a new standard for event professionalism, earning positive feedback and contributing to the overall success of the festival.
• Innovation in Programming: The inclusion of theatrical elements and the publication of short stories added a creative and dynamic dimension to the literary festival.
• Overcoming Sponsorship Challenges: Despite initial concerns, Write Wing Media’s commitment and belief in the vision ensured the festival’s success, demonstrating the agency’s ability to manage events of a literary kind.

Conclusion: This case study illustrates Write Wing Media’s capacity to seamlessly transition from a digital marketing role to that of an event manager for a literary festival. The successful execution of The Times of India Literary Festival in Bangalore not only showcased our versatility but also established the agency as a reliable partner for unique and impactful events, even in the face of initial uncertainties.