Divya Radhakrishnan has more than two decades of rich experience in media planning and buying and has been with TME since April 2003. As Head of Tata AOR earlier, and later in her role of National Head of Buying and New Initiatives, she has intrinsically worked with all key clients and has been a key player in the TME success story.

 
Divya Radhakrishnan, President, TME

What, according to you, would be the first milestone of you career, the breakthrough moment?

The first milestone of my career, or the breakthrough moment, was the moment I stepped into advertising as a career. In an era where for an Economics graduate (South Indian at that!) the natural choice was getting into a nationalised bank, but against all odds I decided to get into the big bad world of advertising.

After that there were many breakthrough moments, when the business of media itself evolved (remember, I am witness to many historical moments!) and all these were milestones, because they gave a different persona to the business of media practitioners. For example, the evolution of the media planning process, the dawn of the satellite TV era, the advent of a science in media buying… I can go on and on, the list is endless.

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?

I work on a simple philosophy – every morning when I get to office, I set myself an objective to achieve a piece of experience that will be a part of the memoirs I plan to write when I retire. And at the end of the day, use the day’s output as a benchmark for the next day. Believe me, I have collected enough to make sure that my book will be more voluminous than ‘Shantaram’.

What would you say are the challenges for a woman leader working in the advertising industry?

The best part of the business of advertising is that leadership is a position waiting to be taken up by good talent; it is gender and age neutral. We have enough young CEOs in our business today to calibrate this point.

What is the one thing that a woman ad professional can bring to the table that the male counterpart often lacks?

In the media business, a key trait that one needs to have is to be sensitive to the environment, be very observant around you and be an addictive media consumer yourself. This is what makes one a complete media professional. And these are traits that are natural more to women than men, hence giving us an upper hand.

MEOW WomenIcons
Described as the most strategic and imaginative media professional in the media industry, Nandini Dias, COO, Lodestar Universal, has been winning awards for outstanding work done by her and her teams on a consistent basis. Dias is the only woman media professional among the top 5 in the R3 India agency study report. Continuing with the tribute to the Women Icons of the media and advertising world, exchange4media highlights the achievements and contributions of Dias.
Nandini Dias, COO, Lodestar Universal
Graduating in Psychology and armed with an MBA, Shubha George, MD, MEC India, turned a true blue WPP-ite with a 17-year career between Ogilvy & Mather, JWT, MindShare, and currently Mediaedge:cia. Continuing with the tribute to the Women Icons of the media and advertising world, exchange4media highlights the achievements and contributions of George.
Shubha George, SMD, MEC India
Mona Jain is currently Head of Strategic Investments at India Media Exchange. Her journey in the media field has been impressive. Jain has had rich experience across leading agencies such as JWT, Mudra, FCB Ulka and Cheil. Her experience extends to clients as diverse as Samsung, Nestle, Whirlpool, Pepsi and Glaxo SmithKline. Continuing with the tribute to the Women Icons of the media and advertising world, exchange4media highlights the achievements and contributions of Jain.
Mona Jain, Strategic Investments, India Media Exchange
With over 15 years’ experience in media planning and buying, Punitha Arumugam, Group CEO, Madison Media, has several accolades and recognitions under her belt. She has seen Madison Media grow from a two-client agency, when she joined eight years ago, to over 30 clients today. Continuing with the tribute to the Women Icons of the media and advertising world, exchange4media highlights the achievements and contributions of Arumugam.
Punitha Arumugam, Group CEO, Madison Media.
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.
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
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
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.