FIRST APPEARANCE

My Name Is Swati Pandey

My Date of Birth is 3/19/1985

BMM From? SIES (Nerul) College

Specialization Journalism

Year Completed BMM 2006

Other Educational Qualifications (PG/UG/Etc) none

Status Married

CAREERBOX

Professional Experience 3 years

You Currently Work At Reuters India-Editorial-Correspondent

Your daily routine Tracking corporates for breaking news, following the stock markets, monitoring stock exchange website etc..

How did you start your career? What was your first step after completing BMM?

I started my career with Reuters. I got in touch with the ex South Asia editor of Reuters who had come to SIES (Nerul) to deliver a lecture. After a quick round of interview I was taken in as a trainee and was confirmed soon after.

Were you clear about which field you wanted to get into right from the beginning? What helped you take your leaps?

Yes, I always knew I wanted to be a journalist even before I joined BMM. Self-motivation
and determination has always helped me reach my goals.

Any particular incident that helped you discover your career option?

I started freelancing for Times of India’s local supplement – New Bombay Plus – after my class 12th exams. Writing on different beats really gave me a lot of exposure and helped me learn more about on the field reporting.

BACK TO COLLEGE

Does being a BMMite give you an edge over others? Yes/No – Please elaborate

Well it does in some ways but for a journalist I believe it is most important to have a nose for news. If you get that right, you are a good journalist! I basically enjoyed the final year of BMM, as subjects were related to my chosen career unlike in the first two years. The course definitely helps you shed inhibitions and make you understand the basics of reporting, which seem to have been lost now.

Do the subjects in BMM help you know the reality of the job? Is there any place for theory in the industry you’re in?

Well, in my college we were given a project to publish a Navi-Mumbai news tabloid once a
week. That was very practical and helped us learn the nuances of reporting, writing, editing, co-ordination, page designing etc. Theory and practical go hand in hand, I’d say. There is room for both and I think BMM balances that.

BMM or BMM from a particular college? Does it make a difference?

No, I don’t think so. I wouldn’t say SIES (Nerul) is a very elite college but I’m doing good for myself. I can say that for my batchmates too. This career is about creative people… College doesn’t really make much difference if you know what you want.

Did you complete any internship(s) – where, when, how was the experience?

I did a summer internship with ANI – Asian News International. Besides, I was a freelance writer for New Bombay Plus for about 2 years since 2003.

Internships during BMM – are they relevant in the long run?

Yes, they do help. They help you understand the industry you are interested in. Besides, internships also help u understand whether you really want to continue in this industry/sector.

Work Ex or Higher Studies? What’s your pick? Why?

Work Ex. Like I said, in journalism if you can differentiate between news and non-news you are there!

BMMBOXER’S TAKE

BMM is a great initiative by Mumbai University

Your biggest achievement till date Working for Reuters

Your favorite subject in BMM Feature and Opinion

Your hangout adda during BMM Gymkhana

Define your job in one sentence Reporting

Your favorite professor at college Sushmita S Sen Mam

Your biggest goof up at work Once I reported the profit number of a company incorrectly, which amounted to a trading losing lacs of money.

YOUR TAKE

The journey so far…and where I see myself going

The journey so far has been a learning experience. I aim to go global from here…

My Success Mantra Hard work, self motivation and determination

Tips for BMMites

1. Enjoy your days, work life is tedious!
2. Focus on practicals, learn to meet deadlines, they help
3. Work hard on making your presentation the best
4. Keep doing something creative
5. Be innovative in whatever you do

You can reach me here @ BMMBox

BMMBox Mod: Readers, you may ask questions to Swati, get your doubts cleared, and so on via the comment section below. Wilfred will come back to you on them.

FIRST APPEARANCE

My Name is Umma Saini

Age: 24
(Exact for men and approx for women 🙂 )

Educational Qualifications (Please abide by facts…no one cares about it anyway)
BMM Grad.

CAREER GRAPH

Professional Experience: 3 Years

Companies / Agencies you have worked for:

1. Fairdeal Entertainment
2. Saints and Warriors Communications Pvt. Ltd.

Projects you have been part of:

Amul Innerwear (Amul Macho, Amul Body warmer)
Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training
Ring Guard
Elf Lubricants
Lokmat
Navneet
Pantaloons
Staples
Ticketvala.com
WWIL
Siti Broadband
Faber
Apna Loan
Cremica Biscuits and
Red Chief shoes.

Current Company / Designation: Copywriter, Saints and Warriors.

Most challenging project you have been part of, why?

Working on Amul as the standards are set so high after the first (controversial) Macho film.

How did you start your career? What was your first step after completing BMM?

Immediately after BMM I started working with Fairdeal Entertainment – A production house dealing with in-flight entertainment and film distribution. But that was for a start. I wanted to explore till I find what I want to do.

Were you clear about which field you wanted to get into right from the beginning? What helped you take your leaps?

I knew I wanted to try advertising. In that, I wasn’t sure whether to go for the business or creative side as I felt I had some skills for both. So I started with servicing and used it as a focal point to observe both sides of the advertising world. That’s when I realized its copywriting for me.

Any particular incident that helped you discover your career option?

Not any particular incident. Just a realization that this is something I want to do.

BACK TO COLLEGE

Does being a BMMite give you an edge over others?

The edge you get is you are not alien to advertising. Marketing terms don’t bounce off your head. It is a good warm up.

Do the subjects in BMM; help you know the reality of the job? Is there any place for theory in the creative world?

The less theory and rules you apply, the better. Besides, BMM subjects cover all aspects of the media. Copywriting is just one odd subject in some year. That too is majorly theory. Read it and pass your exams. You are never going to use that AIDA shit in reality.

BMM or BMM from a particular college? Does it make a difference?

The college does make a difference. Teachers, exposure, activities etc. do count in the learning. I wouldn’t say only SIES as there other good colleges as well. But get into a good one and not some unheard of college or something.

Internships during colleges- are they relevant in the long run?

I never did any internship during college. It was a conscious decision as I dint want to do any sort of work as long as I’m in college. You have to work your whole life man. Spare these three years of bliss for yourself – You won’t regret it. I thoroughly enjoyed college life and then joined work the day after i wrote the last exam paper. So that answers your question.

Would like to make any kind of change in the current BMM syllabus?

What I like about the BMM syllabus is that it covers various options for those interested in a profession in the media. So you can find out what subject interests you the most – photography, cinema, media planning, etc. and then pursue it. Faculty should arrange more guest lectures of people from the field to get a reality check. The syllabus must contain practical executions of the theories.

BMMBOXER’S TAKE

What are the different aspects of copy writing you explored while working?

There aren’t any aspects as such. It’s more of an acquired craft. There is ideation. There’s a lot of what you pick from life, observation and a feel for things around you.

‘Copywriting is underrated’ – Comment

Myth. Once you are in the real world, you will see how copywriters are kept on a pedestal. It is their thinking that drives crores of the clients money, gives them an image etc. The pedestal bit is quite illusionary though. It’s best to stay grounded.

According to you, what are the various higher study options, a copywriter can explore?

I was looking for it myself but sadly there’s no further study that can make you a better copywriter. No one can teach you to be creative. But you must have a sound grip on written and spoken English. That’s very important.

Five Essentials for a copywriter? (Could be books, keeping track of current trends, knowing the basics, etc…)

Being in touch with street reality (Your ads are not meant for your cousin in America but Ramnaresh from Vasai)
Patience (you start with peanut salaries and it takes some time to learn the craft)
A feel for things (the best writing comes from the heart)
An open mind
Reading and Travelling.

Any interesting incident about a client/project that you would want to share with us?

In the Amul Macho success party, it was funny to see all the guys secretly keeping score on who gets to dance the most with the model.

Apart from your own work, whose work do you look upon in the industry? (Could be agencies or particular projects)

Ogilvy maintains a good standard of creative.

From a copy writer to a Senior Copywriter at Saints and Warriors? How has the journey been?

There are no designations in SAW. So I’m no senior copywriter. Even the business card of the owner reads – Copywriter, Chairman. The journey has been great. I met great people and got opportunities to explore myself and do some good work. Everything I know, I’ve learnt it here.

Suggestions for future copywriters?
Drink responsibly.

Your achievements as a copywriter?

Well, I’ve been lucky to have quite a few films in my kitty.

How can our readers contact you? Facebook or Twitter Id

I’m ‘cementsmell’ on twitter.