Previous Occupation: Brand Manager, Hindustan Times
Present Occupation: Head, Marketing at Shaadi.com
Sector: Consumer Internet
Work Experience: Nine years
Interests – Professional/Personal: Professional: Consumer trends; Personal: Travel, baking and fitness

Tell us about yourself – your profile, recap your professional life after ISB including your career progression
I started my career post-ISB with Shaw Wallace as a brand manager for Antiquity. I take pride to have launched “Antiquity Blue” in the Indian market. My stint with Shaw Wallace was very interesting since I was involved right from packaging and pricing to advertising and distribution of the product. The exposure was great. Also, since the UB takeover was in process, Shaw Wallace saw mass attrition, which gave me an opportunity to single-handedly manage the brand with the brand director.

A funny and memorable experience was the product tasting session held every afternoon with the brand managers, where I really had to sound knowledgeable about the food products. This stint was extremely valuable since it gave me a good exposure to the FMCG industry.

Post Shaw Wallace, I moved to Hindustan Times (HT) in New Delhi where I was responsible for launching the Hindustan Times – Punjab edition. With Media, I was in my comfort zone as prior to ISB, I was working in the same sector. The experience was really fun. I spent a lot of time with the sales staff, to a point where I could speak to them in Punjabi. This held me in good stead when I married a Punjabi.

Since the last four years, I have been with Shaadi.com, where I rose to the position of Head of Marketing. I am responsible for the complete marketing mix including communication for dotcom, NRI and retail, pricing, consumer insight, PR and revenue management. Out of all my past jobs, this is the closest to my heart since the difference the product makes to a member’s life, is huge. Each time I see a wedding picture of a happy couple who met through Shaadi.com, I am reminded of why I like being here.

Describe your fondest memory at ISB
Well, there are many but I fondly remember the all-nighter parties we used to have in the SV pools, where there were unlimited drinks, music and delicious gourmet food from Sarover, all on the house. Each party had a different theme for the décor, attire and food, for example, Gangster theme, Indian theme and one of the most unusual themes was Pajama rock, where all of us turned up in our pajamas for the party at night. Even through the themes were different, the rocking music and festive spirit were the same in all the parties. Those were the times where we would sleep for two hours a night, work hard and party even harder.

I also have to mention the crazy Holi parties, before and on Holi, and the rain dance that was organised on campus. By the end of the Holi celebrations, the SV pools and bathrooms were pink, and the ground beside SV2 was slushy. The celebrations ended with hot food including chaat, jalebis and briyani and again in the evening, we had a holi dinner at the cafeteria.

With the knowledge and experience gained at ISB, when looking back, tell us something that you would have done differently while you were a student here?
I would have stressed a little less about grades. A person’s grades and success in life are not correlated. It is important to take the courses that one enjoys, and do activities that nourish the soul. I should have also enjoyed the campus a bit more by going on hikes, swimming more and taking more late night walks in the woods.

In your personal life, how have you changed post-ISB? Do you see yourself doing something differently because you went to ISB? What has left a lasting impression?
Well, I have changed a lot post-ISB since it was a long time back. I got married and have a baby. However, recently, I do find myself looking at things more and more from the perspective of mortality. It is amazing the kind of clarity you get when you look at issues and decisions from the perspective of having limited time on earth.

Besides subject matter knowledge, ISB also taught me a lot about interpersonal relationships, group dynamics, etc.

How do you think ISB has contributed to your career growth?
The opportunities that I got post-ISB are unparalleled. From being a young talent in a media company to brand manager of one of the most reputed premium alcohol brands, ISB gave me a tremendous leap in my career. Even now, the kind of respect brand ISB commands is impressive. Also, amongst my peers, I have seen similar kinds of career shifts made possible by ISB.

If you have to sum up ISB in one word:
I have two –

Life-altering

What are the areas that you can contribute to at ISB?
I can help out with the resume reviews and interviews.

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