With
over 15 years’ experience in media planning and buying, Punitha
Arumugam has several accolades and recognitions under her belt –
ranked among the top 10 influential media persons in ET Brand Equity
Agency Reckoner; ranked among the top 25 powerful women in India
by the recent India Today Woman’s issue; ranked among the
top women in business by Financial Express.
She has seen Madison Media grow from a two-client agency, when she joined eight years ago, to over 30 clients today, including the likes of Airtel, General Motors, Coke, TVS, Tata Tea, Cadbury, Asian Paints, Marico, Essel Group, etc. Arumugam heads an agency which has a reputation of retaining clients – once a Madison Media client, likely to continue being a Madison Media client. She began her career with O&M Media in Chennai, before moving on to Lintas Chennai/Bangalore, and has been with Madison Media for over eight years now. |
| Punitha Arumugam, Group CEO, Madison Media |
Amongst all the assignments that you have handled, which is the one work that you would always cherish as your best work, a lifetime favourite? It
would be most of the work that I did on Britannia in my early years
as a planner, along with the client servicing team on the business,
be it: I cherish this work, as despite being done over a decade back, it would still stand the test of delivering on all the media buzzwords that floats around today – viz., media insight, brand message enhancement, consumer surround, moment of receptivity, etc. What would you say are the challenges for a woman leader working in the advertising industry? I think the challenges for both women and men leaders remain the same. In fact, I think in advertising women find the going a lot more easier as most of the clients and media owners are men and hence, they are forced to be ‘gentlemen’ in business with women colleagues as compared to the tantrums they can invariably throw with male colleagues. A point to note, however, is that while media agencies have a lot of women at the top, for some reason, the advertising/creative agencies and advertising bodies/forums still seem a male bastion with limited women participation. It would be nice to see more women play an active role here too. What is the one thing that a woman ad professional can bring to the table that the male counterpart often lacks? Beauty, brains and ‘no’ brawn! |
| MEOW WomenIcons | |
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A
double post-graduate in Economics and Business Management, Jasmin
Sohrabji, Managing Director, OMD India, started with Economic Research,
before deciding on Media Planning. From MediaCom to setting up OMD
in India, Sohrabji’s journey has been peppered with several
success stories. Continuing with the tribute to the Women Icons
of the media and advertising world, exchange4media highlights the
achievements and contributions of Sohrabji.
|
| Jasmin Sohrabji, Managing Director, OMD India. | |
 |
Lynn
de Souza needs no introduction. One of the most influential media
personalities in India and a 25-year veteran of the industry, de
Souza has had a significant hand in shaping the media business in
the country. Continuing with the tribute to the Women Icons of the
media and advertising world, who have made a difference in their
own unique way in a special series, exchange4media highlights the
achievements and contributions of Lynn de Souza, Chairman and CEO,
Lintas Media Group. |
| Lynn de Souza, Chairman and CEO, Lintas Media Group. | |
 |
Continuing
with the tribute to the Women Icons of the advertising world who
have made a difference in their own unique way in a special series,
exchange4media highlights the achievements and contributions of
Preeti Vyas Giannetti, Chairwoman & Chief Creative Officer,
Vyas Giannetti Creative Pvt Ltd, one of the first woman ad professionals
to branch out on her own. |
| Preeti Vyas, Chairwoman & Chief Creative Officer, Vyas Giannetti Creative Pvt Ltd. | |
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As
a young Creative Director with Grey, Dam had created the ‘Hungry
Kya’ platform for Domino’s to launch pizzas in India.
Continuing with the special tribute to Women Icons of the advertising
world, exchange4media highlights the achievements of Priti Nair,
Managing Partner, BBH India. |
| Shalini Dam, National Creative Director, Grey India. | |
 |
The
world celebrated International Women's Day on March 8, 2009, in
various ways. However, it definitely takes more than one day to
salute and recognise the contributions of women. Continuing with
the special tribute to Women Icons of the advertising world, exchange4media
highlights the achievements of Priti Nair, Managing Partner, BBH
India. Nair has won several national and international awards, including
wins at Promax, Asia Pacific Advertising Festival, New York Festival,
as well as Abby and Clio Awards. |
| Priti Nair, Managing Partner, BBH India | |
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Women
bring their own special touch to things that they do - be it professional
or at home. There is an increasing army of women out there successfully
transcending the gender divide at work and breaking the so-called
glass ceiling. Continuing with the special tribute to Women Icons
of the advertising world, exchange4media highlights the achievements
of Malvika Mehra, Group Creative Director, O&M Advertising Bangalore,
one of the few women who brought a Cannes Bronze to India. |
| Malvika Mehra, Group Creative Director, O&M Advertising Bangalore | |
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The
advertising and media world through a woman's eye is a different
view. When it comes to saluting the 'Gods' of advertising, it is
mainly a male bastion. But women have carved a special place for
themselves. exchange4media pays tribute to the Women Icons of the
advertising world who have made a difference in their own unique
way in a special series. The first one features Meera Sharath Chandra,
President & NCD, RMG Connect. |
| Meera Sharath Chandra, President & NCD, RMG Connect. | |
