MxMIndia

Tag: Rahul Kishore

  • In Week #2 of Coffee & Conversations, Rahul Kishore meets Maheshwer Peri, until recently CEO of the Outlook Group and now Chairman and CEO of Careers360

    Coffee & Conversations with Rahul Kishore: Week #2: Maheshwer Peri

    By Rahul Kishore

     

    Maheshwer Peri strikes you as no-nonsense , gritty with a fun side, hard taskmaster kind of guy when you first meet him. He is. But with a smart and funny side. A guy who’s totally on the ball with all that is going on around him whether it be politics, news channels, print or his love: Education. I met him over a cup of coffee and began by asking him:

     

    Do you consider yourself lucky?

    Yes! All my breaks have come because of luck. I was  an investment banker with Hathway Investments and we decided to get into the publishing business and Outlook was born. I became a publisher by chance. Got into education by chance too. Luck has a role if you grab it. Bosses were good to me but they couldn’t have been otherwise also. I am humble, nice to work with, retreat easily if I feel it’s right to do so and not a sycophant at all.

     

    The beliefs that define his ‘Outlook’ in life?

    I am ethical he says. It’s a good business practice these days to survive. Those who say ethics for any other reason are not right. We live in an extremely transparent world where the slightest mistake can be easily highlighted. It can completely result in the collapse of the business.

     

    Punctual.I hate people waiting for me.I always am punctual.

     

    I am not surrounded by ‘yes’ men. If we go for a presentation as a team, it’s difficult to tell who is the leader of the team. Gradually that happens, but I allow any and all to lead if we feel that is the right way forward. People are encouraged to say what is right.

     

    How does he destress?

    With his kids, he says.The younger one especially. Walks often to Sanjay Van from Vasant kunj where he lives. He has chosen a middle class locality deliberately to reside in as he wants his kids to grow up imbibing these very values. He often gets off his car and walks home if the mood takes him. Every two years, he takes off to a healing farm to detox and clear his mind. Also makes his business plans here. Holidays once a year mostly in game parks in India.

     

    If a movie were to be made about his life, who would he want to play him?

    Ayushman Khurana is his answer. Why, I ask. Because he’s normal. He’s human, has no halo. Has a child in him, like I do. Also can act stupid at times. He can also show the fighter and grit in me. His answer floored me…

     

    Dream job?

    Lawyer, he says. You will find him practising law and helping the poor once he retires. Getting a law degree is very much on his mind, he says. Also wants to educate people and harness the fire in their belly. This fire, he says, is wasted in stone-pelting, rebellion and aggression. This needs to be harnessed. The politicians have failed us. We should channelise this into some constructive activity. That would be something I would like to achieve

     

    If Bill Gates walked in with a hundred million, what’s the one big idea that Mahesh would offer to change the world with the money?

    The words demographic dividend excite him. People think building roads is investment, education is social welfare. Actually we need to invest in people. Educate them. Invest in people instead of plants and machinery.

     

    Work pattern that works for him?

    I work six days a week. My phone is always on and I reply almost in under 30 minutes each time, if busy. Sunday is an off day. I have a small team and I work with them closely, he says.

     

    One word that describes him

    Outspoken. Being a typical Arian, this bluntness comes out. He is a no-nonsense guy. No time to waste on unnecessary social graces.

     

    A CEO he admires?

    Azim Premji… a near-instant instant response.

     

    Loves the social side, the philantrophy, his simplicity and his sense of ethics.It is okay to be like him and still make those billions.

     

    What animal do you like?

    Elephant. Elephants are humble, keep to themselves and are not bothered by anyone.

     

  • We kick off the first season of a new series of easy weekend interviews conducted by Rahul Kishore. In Season #1, Rahul interviews a cross-section of media CEOs. But no shoptalk… nothing on business, plans, targets…

    Introducing a new Friday series: Coffee & Conversations with Rahul Kishore: Ashok Venkatramani, CEO, MCCS

    We kick off the first season of a new series of easy weekend interviews conducted by Rahul Kishore, senior media professional, now turned entrepreneur. In Season #1, Rahul interviews a cross-section of media CEOs. But no shoptalk… nothing on business, plans, targets… Presenting Season #1, Episode #1

     

    Ashok Venkatramani, Chief Executive Officer of MCCS India, the people who bring us popular news channels like ABP News etc, may come across as a quiet, blasé, non- aggressive person if one took him at face value. But scratch the surface and you find a funny, soft-spoken yet forceful individual who speaks his mind freely. We meet over a coffee at a Barista outlet in Gurgaon

     

    So does he consider himself lucky?

    Yes I do, was his response. He’s been lucky in quite a few things. Hard work, he says, takes you up to a point, but then luck plays a part. He’s been lucky in the kind of people he’s worked with. The colleagues have been wonderful as have all his bosses who gave him a long rope and lots of space to express himself. He trusts people and has been rewarded with excellent relationships all around that have helped him immensely. Though essentially a private person, he seems to be quite a people’s man. Ashok himself will never prejudge you. He will allow you to grow and guide you along the way.

     

    The beliefs that keep him going?

    I am extremely punctual he says. He expects it from others too. Being a Bombay boy and commuting on local trains has taught him the value of time. I have observed this myself, being very punctual myself too. He maintains a strict work life balance. Never works on weekends, fixes no meetings after 5pm and does not socialise much with the fraternity. Money does not motivate him. If he does his job well, money will follow… “but it’s far more important to do my work well”. Empower people, is his credo. He is trustworthy by default. Yes, people have let him down sometimes, but he still goes with trusting them unless they prove otherwise.

     

    And how does he de-stress after a hard day at work?

    Ashok says that he has learnt classical music and can play the keyboards and piano upto a certain level. These days he sings old raga-based songs as he feels that is true music. A state level badminton player till three knee surgeries put paid to any hopes he may have had of playing at a higher level. So, he walks a lot these days. And holidays by the sea as a Piscean and water is what works for him.

     

    If there was a movie made about his life who would he like to play him and why?

    Ashok kept with his penchant to surprise me… normally a guy would opt for one of the Khans or a Ajay Devgn or even Amitabh. He said after a great deal of thought: Irfan Khan!

     

    Why Irfan? “It would need a very sensitive guy and a good actor to capture the finer nuances of my sensitivity on celluloid. It cannot be one of the with-it guys. Has to be someone who is a master of the actor’s craft.” Ashok says he is very poker-faced and nothing ruffles him, nothing at all. And Irfan would do justice to the role

     

    Dream job and why?

    CEO of Air India. He said it saddens him to see the plight of a genuine Navratana and how it’s been brought to its feet by terrible mismanagement. Ashok feels he has the ability to make a difference in this case. We are on the verge of losing a family jewel and we should do something about it, to restore it to its former glory.

     

    Three things most important to him?

    Values. NO compromise at all on these. Maintain a healthy work life balance. He doesn’t work on weekends ever, strange as it may sound. I know it’s easier to get a media CEO at 1 am than it is at 11am. Ashok is different. A good night’s sleep and keep things simple.

     

    Lastly, rate me as an interviewer

    7/10. No, make that eight!

     

    Rahul Kishore is Managing Director, Taurus Infomedia Pvt Ltd. A man of many interests, he has authored a book on his Facebook updates, does a fair bit of gardening, likes meeting people and says he’s the best badminton player never to have played for India.

     

  • Rahul Kishore has been elevated to National Head of Sales at Mogae with responsibilities towards Mobile and DTH as Neha Nehra will take charge as DTH Sales Head

    Rahul Kishore elevated to National Head of Sales at Mogae for Mobile & DTH

    By A Correspondent

     

    Rahul Kishore
    Neha Nehra

    Santa has brought in some elevating news this Christmas.

     

    At Sandeep Goyal’s Mogae Media, Rahul Kishore has been elevated to National Head of Sales with responsibilities towards the Mobile and DTH businesses. Meanwhile, Neha Nehra – currently with Mogae as AGM – Media Sales – will take charge as DTH Sales Head.

     

    These appointments have taken effect already. Mr Kishore was last with VivaKi India from where he joined Mogae in March last year as Senior VP, Priority Projects. Ms Nehra has been Mogae since 2011 before which she was Infosys.

     

  • The best way to get lunch without doing battle for it, how to find good seats (and keep them), and what not to waste time on. Conferencing tips from Rahul Kishore

    The Anchor: How to make industry conferences work (better) for you

    By Rahul Kishore

     

    Having just attended a large conference organized by a leading media organization, I have a few pointers that you might benefit from:

     

    #1 Do not go there looking for knowledge. Most speakers are dull, and love to hear their own voices. The really good ones are expensive and most event organizers cannot afford them. So they make do with whatever is available.

     

    #2 Do not expect to engage with the speaker. Most have tie-ups with TV channels and the channelwallahs inflict their anchors on you. These anchors are ill-prepared mostly and forget their own questions. They also encourage their friends in the audience to ask questions.

     

    #3 If it is a one-on-one then the guest is extremely circumspect and cannot hold you for an hour or so. The moderator also uses this to become friends with the guest, whom he would not have otherwise met! If he has met the guest before then they try to make it like we are best friends etc and that works for no one!

     

    #4 Make sure you reach early and grab a good seat post registration. There are sponsor reserved tables but they never work as the ushers are clueless. I have seen CEOs after pumping in over a crore, looking for a decent seat.

     

    #5 A word about the popular speakers. These are ONLY Bollywood…anyone from a Katrina to a Sonakshi works for our celeb-starved public. So you have to be in your seats at least one if not two sessions before the Bollywood session. DO NOT GO ANYWHERE! It is best, trust me!

     

    #6 Lunch is normally better than average as hotels who do a barter like to showcase their kitchen. So, like me, hit the lunch hall at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled lunch time. Large screens are beaming the event live anyway and as soon as lunch is requested, you are there. The queues are awful and all decorum and decency is forgotten when the food-starved public comes gushing. It is easier now to look for seconds since you have had your first shot berfore everyone else. People will let you break the line if you have a soiled plate in your hand.

     

    #7 A few years ago it used to be a great place to network. Not any more. Audiences are random and arbit. A few page-3 types, assorted goras, and some retired bureaucrats are all a part. The marketer is mostly missing. Women are more active as they want to go back and tell their friends they attended an extremely high-brow event! Be prepared for loads of Aunties in their Guccis, LVs, Jimmy Choos. Also loads of jewellery… good on the untrained eye! Happy Conferencing!

     

    Rahul Kishore is senior vice-president, priority projects, Mogae Media. The views expressed here are his own.

     

  • The Advertising Club Bombay's decision to expand its activities to Delhi by dropping Bombay from its name is thanks to the NCR becoming a force to reckon with in Advertising and Marketing.

    Is Delhi upstaging Mumbai in A&M?

     

    By Ananya Saha

     

     

    Chalo Dilli, as Ad Club drops Bombay

     

    Jaldi 5 with Shashi Sinha: “The idea is not to emerge as the only Ad Club in India”

     

    Anil Thakraney: Delhi ad guys less cynical than Mumbai frat

     

    At first it may not sound like a big deal. What’s in a name? And what’s in just the shedding of a part of the name? A lot, we think. For, in the context of the Advertising Club Bombay dropping the Bombay from the name, it’s indicative of the changing times.

     

    The attempt  to be more all-inclusive is a welcome sign no doubt. But as the Club’s president told MxMIndia: “Delhi is a key market for the advertising industry with big agencies being housed there and also some big clients too based there. This is definitely one of the main reasons for us bringing Delhi under our purview.”

     

    So is this move a firm indicator that Delhi is emerging as a more challenging player than Mumbai in Advertising and Marketing?

     

    Rahul Kishore

    According to Rahul Kishore, Senior VP – Priority Projects at Mogae Media, does not believe in this creative demarcation and would rather see Delhi (“Gurgaon actually”) and Mumbai sharing an equal pedestal.

     

    Mr Kishore said, “I am totally against this Delhi v/s Bombay tussle that keeps happening on and off. It should just be The Advertising Club. As I said there are agencies that are present all across the country but just because a few are headquartered in Mumbai it doesn’t give Bombay to be the leader of sorts. I don’t think that’s a true representation; I think there’s a lot more business that happens out of North India. I can tell you that in North India.”

     

    Satbir Singh

    Satbir Singh, Managing Partner & Chief Creative Officer: Euro RSCG India, echoes this view. He believes that Delhi has an edge over Mumbai especially when it comes to clients. He said, “The rate of growth that Delhi has had over Mumbai has been phenomenal, especially over the last four-five years. Delhi has largest spenders: whether it is auto sector, telecom or large scale FMCGs like Reckitt Benckiser, Dabur, Pepsi, Coke etc.”

     

    “Mumbai still scores with financial sector and the fact that large-spending media clients like GECs are based out of Mumbai. One spender that can perhaps tip scales in favour of Mumbai is Hindustan Lever since it equals the large spenders that Delhi has,” Mr Singh added.  “But that apart, the sheer number and concentration of large spenders is very heavy in Delhi and this will continue for a long time. Earlier, most of the senior people were based out of Mumbai. But increasingly we see more senior people either based out of Delhi or flying to the capital for meetings and decisions.”

     

    Delhi has the edge, no doubt. Mumbai, though, still has a dominant edge when it comes to creativity – in areas like advertising films etc thanks to the presence of Bollywood and the best post production facilities – but here too the gap is narrowing.

     

    Lloyd Mathias

    Lloyd Mathias, Director, GreenBean Ventures, Former President & CMO, Tata Teleservices is originally from Mumbai, but has worked extensively in Delhi and for a bit in recent years in Mumbai too. “I would not say dominant, but Delhi is rapidly moving to equal Mumbai in the advertising and marketing space,” he said. “In certain sectors, such as mobile phones, consumer durables and automobiles, Delhi has already pulled ahead of Mumbai. Given Mumbai’s historical dominance as India’s commercial centre it had the edge with a more professional approach to work; but the with the emergence of MNC’s over the last decade in the Gurgaon/Delhi/NCR region , the gap has narrowed down to a large extent,”  he added.

     

    An industry analyst with a leading consulting firm who did not wish to be named, said, “There has been a massive increase in Delhi , definitely. Delhi team is more efficient at negotiation, is the finding. The Delhi team thinks bigger. They do not approach clients as space-vendors; rather they go as concept-sellers and are able to get higher rates from advertiser.”

     

    Sathyamurthy NP

    What has possibly helped Delhi is the increasing professionalism and an improved work ethic. The industry analyst further said, “What has become a norm is that the foreigners come and set up base in Delhi. An MNC set-up brings in systems and processes of evolved advertising markets to Delhi . When you sell to those guys, you sell fancier ideas. All that gets a premium. Advertisers in Delhi are savvy, wherein Mumbai guys are more focused on bottom lines and rates. That is why we also think of servicing a client out of Delhi , for the Delhi team can present better concepts and thus, crack better deals.”

     

     

    Prathap Suthan

    Sathyamurthy NP, President & Head – DDB MudraMax reasoned that we should not be making too much of the move by the Advertising Club. “Though Mumbai will continue to be the advertising hub of India, it’s time we hear the voice of Delhi too,” he told MxMIndia, adding:  “When it comes to being professional, Delhi is as good as Mumbai.”

     

    The move by the Advertising Club to be more inclusive is decidedly in the right direction. But will it help the industry to keep politics aside and show more participation, only time can tell. Meanwhile, the Mumbai v/s Delhi debate is endless. And, as veteran adman Prathap Suthan told MxMIndia, “intercity rivalry is healthy, positive and must be sustained”.

    with inputs from Tuhina Anand and Johnson Napier

     

  • With Ad Club Bombay expanding its footprint, a look at the response to the move and how other other key Ad Clubs in the country are doing

    Chalo Dilli, as Ad Club drops Bombay

     

    By Tuhina Anand

     

    As the Advertising Club Bombay gears up to don a new avatar, the crucial question is: will it help the industry? And will the industry accept the new inclusiveness? Ad Club Bombay has been looking at expanding its footprint and in its bid had last year held some of its judging for Effies in Delhi. Shashi Sinha, the President of the renamed The Advertising Club (till yesterday The Advertising Club Bombay) has been vociferous in the Ad Club’s demand to have a more inclusive approach, especially including the Delhi NCR advertising fraternity.

     

    Shashi Sinha

    In fact, their priority has been to bring Delhi under their ambit and not other cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi or Kolkata. One of the reasons for setting their eyes on Delhi is that the capital is a key market for the adfrat, considering that most of the agencies have offices there and some even their head offices. The other reason for extending their footprint could be the functioning of the Delhi Advertising Club (DAC).

     

    It is no secret that many in the ad fraternity in Delhi NCR prefer to stay from DAC activities. Its awards, one of the key events for any Ad Club, are not a patch in comparison to the Abby by Ad Club Bombay. When MxMIndia called the DAC office in Delhi, President RC Tanwar seemed miffed and said, “I am the President of Delhi Ad Club and we have given no right to anyone to decide on how DAC should function. I think people from Mumbai should realize that DAC is much more active than their counterparts. We don’t just have awards but other events too. What is Ad Club Bombay about – Goafest?” He categorically said, “We will never partner with Ad Club Bombay; they can have their own plans and we are not interested to be part of those.” However, though Mr Tanwar said he would reply to MxMIndia’s questions, he did not do so.

     

    While there have been issues in the past like the awards leaks in Goafest, the awards process has been cleansed in the last two years. One cannot also overlook the fact that Ad Club Bombay (now The Advertising Club) is a formidable force and includes some of the big names from the industry. Its Managing Committee has enviable names on board and there is no ignoring that.

     

    Prathap Suthan

    It may be recalled that a few years ago Prathap Suthan had floated The Delhi Alternative (Alt Delhi) a platform that gave an opportunity to fraternity from Delhi to come together. The initiative is still going strong. Mr Suthan on the current development said, “On Ad Club Bombay becoming The Advertising Club, my take is very simple. It is a good thing. It is the right thing. Just that this should have been done ages ago. It just underlines the fact that Delhi is actually growing into a market that has already or will soon become larger than Mumbai. It is almost that they suddenly don’t want to miss the boat. Unfortunately rebranding isn’t going to change geography. And I personally think intercity rivalry is healthy, positive and must be sustained.”

     

    He added, “Alt Del isn’t an idea that was ever set up to challenge the Bombay Ad Club or the Delhi Ad Club. It was and is still a growing forum away from the industry to promote the coming together of communication professionals, much larger than just advertising. Plus the fact that it is also alive on FB with members from across India. It was led by a leadership of senior people from different facets of communication, and set up for individuals to interact, learn, network and enrich their advertising quotient. We wanted to supplement learning through workshops, meetings and exhibitions. There has been zero support from any agency, corporate, media house etc and it has been running only on the collective steam and money of our leadership. Until now we have had a few workshops, great participation, excellent quality, and wonderful feedback. Now that winter is here in Delhi, Alt Del is planning to make the best use of it.”

     

    Rahul Kishore

    The Delhi and Mumbai competition that Mr Suthan has mentioned seems to be playing on the fraternity’s mind. Rahul Kishore, Senior VP – Priority Projects, Mogae Media, commented, “The move seems to be a sensible one as there are Ad Clubs that are present all over the country. I see no reason why it should be referred to as Ad Club Bombay only. However, I’d like to add here that most advertising agencies today operate out of Gurgaon.”

     

    Sathyamurthy Namakkal, President, DDB MudraMax, Media, said, “I think we are reading too much into the whole situation. Delhi is an important market with lots of advertisers being based out of the city so it is a gesture to have more representation in the Ad Club than it to give it more weight than required.”

     

    Sathyamurthy Namakkal

    As for some of the Ad Clubs around India, The Advertising Club Bangalore has been pretty active. It holds its yearly awards fest called Big Bang. It also conducts lot of sporting events that have been popular at the advertising festivals. Among its events is one called Melting Pot that encourages participation from creative teams to come up with a public service campaign.

     

    Talking about an issue that Ad Club Bangalore faces, Arvind Kumar, Executive Director of the Ad Club said, “For the awards we get entries from small and medium agencies but there is reluctance on the part of bigger agencies to participate, citing that their companies’ `unwritten’ policy bars them from entering any Indian awards. This is a major dampener as the participation from bigger agencies would certainly help in raising the quality of entries. It would also help the creative people from those agencies get wider recognition.

     

    The Advertising Club Cochin has been fairly robust considering that it has 400-500 members. Sandeep Nayar, President of Ad Club Cochin, said, “We have at least one event planned for each month that includes creative competitions, sports events and workshops among others.” The Ad Club is 15-16 years old and its biggest property is the Pepper Awards – the awards night for the creative fraternity from Kerala. Mr Nayar in fact seemed open to any collaboration with other Ad Clubs across the country that would give them a wider platform to showcase works from down South.

     

    In the end, it’s not about which city is better. The move by the Ad Club Bombay can only help the fraternity, in Delhi NCR in particular. A move that helps the industry has to be taken in the right spirit.

     

  • There's loads to do at Cannes, if you want to look beyond the festival, writes Rahul Kishore

    By Invitation | Rahul Kishore: In Cannes you can!

     

    By Rahul Kishore

     

    Having been to Cannes twice, I can give you a fair assessment of the place as well as what to do and what you must do.

     

    First of all, the hotel. Try and book a smallish one about 200 metres max from the Palais, since all the action is there, at least in the day time. There are a host of them just behind the Croissiette and they come with nice decent rooms with attached showers and so on. The breakfast is adequate, a lot better than the hotels in Paris, and helps you stock up. One word of advice: the eggs are always cold and hardboiled and you can ask the steward to warm them up. The croissants and coffee are great!

     

    What one needs to do is to head straight for the tourist office which is beside the Palais and closes for lunch. The girls there will fill you in as to whatever there is to do in and around. Book a trip to St Tropez as the ferry does not go daily. It’s a wonderful journey with the French Alps in the background and the trip is a full day one. St Tropez is the home of the bikini, so it looks promising all the time.

     

    The town is a small one and picture postcard perfect. One can take a small trip for 6 euros to Nikki Beach, the Ibiza of this area, and be back in time to catch the ferry back. I think it costs 40 euros return.

     

    Another trip, though a short one is to the Le Marguirite island which costs 10 euros and you can have lunch on or in the sea which is cobalt blue and cold. Lovely pizzas and pasta. Food gets over by 3pm, so keep that in mind.

     

    Now onto the night scene. Old Cannes is totally romantic and one should have dinner there. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the Palais and the church at the top is worth a look. One gets an overview of the harbour with all the yachts in the marina. The food is cheap and so is the wine, cocktails too – about 5 euros each. And if you are lucky, there will be the odd musician singing and playing the accordion. Most people are well-dressed for dinner, so make sure to wear a pair of jeans at least, as that is considered well dressed in ad circles!

     

    The best place to party is the Baoli. It’s a 10-minute taxi ride and costs 10 euros to go and 30 to come back, since one comes back at 4 am. Beware of a short Frenchie with a beard and a black Ferrari with red seats. He picked me up, hit on me and nearly got hit by me. I had to feign a headache and he dropped me off midway to the hotel. I had a long walk back to the hotel and saw some 20 people skinny dipping in the sea at 4am. With freezing water, they couldn’t have gotten up to much. But the French will always try!

     

    I used to hit the sack at around 4am, and be up and running on the Marina or behind the main street at 7am. It’s cool, fresh and Europe, one can get by with three hours of sound sleep.

     

    More ideas: Make a trip to Grasse to buy perfumes. There is a factory and a museum, both of  which are worth looking at. The bus costs 1 euro and it leaves from the bus stop next to the station. Next,Monte Carlo. Went there twice. Great train ride costing 40 euros, return. Hop off at Eze and explore. Take the bus up to the fort and have lunch there. Then come back and continue on to Monte Carlo. While there: walk on the race track; have ice cream sundaes opposite the casino; and make a trip to the place. It’s worth it… and walk, walk and walk… the editor of this site died doing it, but it made him a better person!

     

    If you have the bucks, then the casino is just right…I didn’t waste any time on it. You can extend your train ride toS an Remo in Italy. Twenty minutes away, you’ll find a large market, lovely Maserati police cars and no passport required. The food is great. Have lunch and come back for that ice cream sundae in Monte Carlo. The sun sets at 9pm, so all is safe.

     

    There is some shopping in Cannes. There is a Zara, and a small market where one gets amazing gift items and clothes. All cheap. Friday is the food and antique bazaar day near Mcdonald’s which wraps up by 10am, so one should make a trip. The fruits and fish are amazing. Also check out the bakery. You will fall in love with it.

     

    All in all it’s a great place to visit, too much to do, and yes, the dull ones do manage attend a few sessions there as well. I am told, there are some pretty good and informative sessions this year. Me? Did the Zuckerberg one. Got bored to tears. But the good thing is, in Cannes, you can.

     

    PS: If you are the type who wants loads of fun and with the prospects of happy endings, mail me at rahulkis[at]gmail.com

     

    Rahul Kishore is senior vice-president, Mogae Media

     

  • Women in catfights, people having babies just to get Facebook likes, reporting gynae visits, discussing exes… such fun! The things people do for Facebook, says Rahul Kishore

    The Anchor: Rahul Kishore on 5 reasons why Facebook is such a stressbuster at work

    By Rahul Kishore

     

    Having joined Facebook four years back, and being active on it I can honestly say that not only is it a great stress buster at work…but helps me stay focused all day. The reasons are many…

     

    1. It cuts out other forms of relief which are detrimental to one’s health

    Smoking for example and endless cups of coffee or both. I don’t need to walk out to the terrace in dusty Gurgaon to look around while taking puffs out of a cigarette. Nor do I need caffeine to get me through. I don’t smoke though…

     

    2. It helps me stay in touch with my friends and some important associates

    Feel the need for a chat? Just log in…of the 15 odd friends logged in, you will definitely find a reason to chat with atleast two, if not three…this chat could at best be five minutes. Sometimes with more than one person…Lightens the mood and energizes one to get back to work with gusto.

     

    3. Helps me stay young

    While reading others’ status updates you are able to relate a lot more to the younger lot. Comment on something, and they fire back almost instantaneously. The repartee has to be swift and sharp. I win on most occasions…in fact all! 🙂

     

    4. Good for a laugh

    Laughter is the best stress buster of all. I see the photos and the updates and sometimes laugh uproariously. Women in catfights, people having babies just to get Facebook likes, reporting gynae visits, discussing exes…such fun! The things people do for Facebook!

     

    5. Great way to stalk your exes

    Others’ exes too…see how they shaped up 20 years later…how fat, how bald, how old they look. What are their kids like? Where do they party and holiday? Are you better off without them?

     

    Rahul Kishore is Senior Vice President, Mogae Media

     

  • Rahul Kishore has joined Mogae Media as Senior Vice President, Priority Projects. He will work with Gaurav Luthra, Chief Business Officer of the company.

    Rahul Kishore joins Mogae as Senior VP, Priority Projects

    By A Correspondent

     

    Rahul Kishore has joined Mogae Media as Senior Vice President, Priority Projects. He moves from Vivaki where he worked with the Zenith Optimedia team.

     

    A career entrepreneur, Mr Kishore ran his own business for well over 20 years before changing tack in 2008 when he joined the exchange4media group as Business Head and later also as Editorial Adviser. An alumnus of St. Stephens College, Delhi, Mr Kishore’s stint at ZO/Vivaki centred around getting closer to the trading currency and purposive evaluation of media.

     

    “Rahul has entrepreneurial grit and drive. We need loads of that at Mogae,” said Ms Tanya Goyal, Executive Director of Mogae Media. “Rahul is being tasked to look at large opportunity blocks that can benefit from mobile as a medium. We hope he will be able to open up new vistas of opportunity for the company.”

     

    “Mobile has great opportunity. I am happy to be at the forefront of a ‘new’ medium that reaches 800 million consumers in India,” said Mr Kishore. “Mogae is a great new venture … I hope we create a new market with our efforts here. The response has been very encouraging and in the little time we’ve had, we have locked in two high-profile FMCG giants amongst our advertisers,” he added.

     

    In recent weeks, Mogae Media has announced many senior level appointments, including Messrs Tusshar Dhingra (from BIG Cinemas), Atishi Pradhan (from Contract) and Pavan Chandra (from Vivaki). Mr Kishore will work with Mr Gaurav Luthra, Chief Business Officer of the company.

     

    Mogae Media is the sole and exclusive monetization partners of telecom operator Airtel. Veteran mediaperson Mr Sandeep Goyal set up this new venture in January 2012.