Webster Tashkent Attends Jolbors Festival in Kazakhstan
October 02, 2024
Webster University Tashkent took part in one of the most anticipated marketing and advertising events in Central Asia – the Jolbors Festival, held recently in September at Forum, Seifullina St. 617, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Representing Webster University - Tashkent were Director of Admissions and Marketing Ulugbek Shukurillaev and Marketing and Public Relations Manager Jamshid Akhmadaliev. The two-day festival was an exciting opportunity for Central Asian marketing professionals to gain insights, expand their networks and explore new trends and innovations in the fields of advertising, creativity and marketing. The key takeaways from the trip included insights into Nike's video ad creation process, the use of Meta Creative Show in Meta advertising and how Ogilvy produces videos for crisis and strategic communications.
The Jolbors Festival has long established itself as the premier event for marketers, advertisers and communication experts in the region. Featuring a stellar lineup of internationally renowned speakers, interactive workshops and cutting-edge panel discussions, the festival inspires professionals to stay ahead of the curve and revolutionize the advertising landscape.
With a program packed full of industry leaders and creative visionaries, Shukurillaev and Akhmadaliev attended the event to learn about the latest trends, gain new insights into the marketing landscape and form new collaborations. Their attendance also marked the beginning of Webster University Tashkent's preparation for next year’s Jolbors Awards, where they aim to present some of their most innovative communication solutions.
What Makes the Jolbors Festival Stand Out?
The Jolbors Festival is more than just an event; it is a hub of innovation, bringing together top-tier professionals and forward-thinking minds from Central Asia and beyond. Each year, the festival attracts agencies, companies and freelancers from across the region, including Azerbaijan, Armenia and CIS countries, who present their groundbreaking communication solutions to an international expert jury. The jury comprises advertising and communication industry veterans from Europe, Russia, Central and East Asia, many of whom have won prestigious awards such as the Cannes Lions and One Show.
Why the Jolbors Festival is a Must-Attend Event
The festival offered attendees the chance to:
- Gain New Knowledge: Learn about the latest tools, strategies and case studies in the marketing world. Sessions covered a range of topics from building connected brands through automation to the use of artificial intelligence in marketing.
- Expand Professional Networks: Connect with both Central Asian experts and international speakers, exchange ideas and foster valuable partnerships. Webster Tashkent’s marketing team took full advantage of the chance to engage with leading industry figures and share their successes.
- Experience the Unique Atmosphere: Being surrounded by the region’s most creative and innovative professionals creates an inspiring environment, where new ideas flourish and collaborations are born.
Among the key highlights of the festival were presentations from global marketing and creative professionals, including the head of Meta’s Creative Shop for Greater China Kitty Lun and the CMO of Tochka Sonya Maslennikova. These sessions provided invaluable insights into how artificial intelligence is transforming marketing, as well as the importance of strong branding in achieving long-term success.
What Webster University Tashkent Aims to Achieve
Webster Tashkent has been steadily making its mark in the marketing and advertising industry, having won the Brand of the Year 2023 Award by the Marketing Association of Uzbekistan, and securing second place for Brand of the Year 2022 among all higher educational institutions in the country. In 2024, Webster Tashkent was nominated for three categories at the Tashkent Advertising Festival (TAF! 2024):
- Best Internet Ads
- Best Logotype
- Best Outdoor Advertisement
By attending Jolbors 2024, Webster Tashkent is setting its sights even higher. Shukurillaev and Akhmadaliev's participation in the event marks the university's ambition to compete at an international level, where it will present its most innovative work for the 2025 Jolbors Awards. With plans to showcase some of its best digital campaigns and creative branding solutions, Webster Tashkent hopes to not only enhance its reputation, but also inspire other universities and organizations in Uzbekistan to elevate their marketing efforts.
The Power of Learning and Networking at Jolbors Festival
Jolbors Festival 2024 offered an impressive lineup of talks, panel discussions and workshops. Key takeaways for Shukurillaev and Akhmadaliev included sessions like Vova Lifanov's lecture on "Fake Design," where he explored how authenticity and sincerity play crucial roles in creative professions, and Lun's insights on building connected brands through automation, which emphasized the necessity of integrating breakthrough technologies such as AI to achieve unprecedented success in marketing.
The festival explored vital issues like the rise of burnout in creative professions, the evolving role of advertising in the modern world and the importance of storytelling in today’s content-driven era. Dasha Ovechkina’s talk on creative illusions was particularly thought-provoking, as it delved into how brands can use creativity to build strong emotional connections with consumers.
Through these enriching sessions, Webster Tashkent’s marketing team gained new perspectives and strategies that they are eager to implement in their own campaigns. They also participated in networking sessions and discussions, meeting some of the brightest minds in Central Asia’s advertising world and establishing connections that will pave the way for future collaborations.
Looking Ahead: Jolbors Festival 2025
With their sights set on the 2025 Jolbors Awards, Shukurillaev and Akhmadaliev are already laying the groundwork for their future participation. The awards are highly competitive, drawing entries from some of the most creative minds in the region, but Webster Tashkent is prepared to rise to the challenge. By continuing to develop innovative, culturally relevant and impactful advertising campaigns, the university aims to be a strong contender at the 2025 festival.
As Webster Tashkent moves forward, the lessons learned at Jolbors 2024 will serve as an invaluable resource in shaping future marketing strategies. The university is excited to take its marketing efforts to new heights, and is confident that participation in events like Jolbors will continue to solidify its status as a leading institution in Central Asia.
The trip proved to be extremely valuable for both Shukurillaev and Akhmadaliev, as the knowledge and skills gained will greatly enhance the marketing efforts of Webster University in Tashkent. By applying the new strategies they have learned, the university’s approach to student recruitment will become more targeted and impactful, ensuring better engagement with both prospective and current students. This experience will also contribute to broader marketing initiatives, creating a stronger connection with the local and international student communities, and positioning Webster as a leading choice for higher education in the region.
About Webster University Tashkent
Established in 2019 through the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Webster University Tashkent is an official campus of Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. Committed to providing high-quality education that prepares students for global citizenship and individual excellence, Webster Tashkent stands as the premier American university in Central Asia.