FIRST APPEARANCE
My Name Is Lavanya Chhabra
BMM From? SIES (Sion) College
Specialization Advertising
Year Completed BMM 2008
Other Educational Qualifications (PG/UG/Etc) None
Status Single
CAREERBOX
Professional Experience 3 years
You Currently Work At Canopy Essence – Partner
Your daily routine In Media Selling – Reach office by 9.30, schedule meetings and work for the day, meet buying/media planning agencies and discuss ideas abt effective promotion of brands on News channels, pitch upcoming events, make reports and set revenue targets
Organization(s) You Worked At Before : Red Fm 93.5 and Aidem Ventures(Previously NDTV Media)
Key Projects/Campaigns You’ve Been Part Of
- S FM turned Red FM in 42 cities
- Streamlined revenues from Entertainment Industry for Radio,
- Got new advertisers on board for News
- Personally designed campaigns for Futurebazaar.com, Marico, Pidilite to channel effectiveness
Most challenging project/campaign you’ve been part of? What made it challenging?
Have not come across any challenges yet I am just 23 waiting for much more from life to throw at me
How did you start your career? What was your first step after completing BMM?
Interned in Percept H as a copywriter and had no idea about Media Selling as a career profession yet got through Red FM 93.5 on a trial interview and never looked back, never had to actually look for a job although I had made a portfolio of my marketing campaigns but never needed them
Were you clear about which field you wanted to get into right from the beginning? What helped you take your leaps?
I wanted to stay in marketing and advertising and that helped me stay very close to Radio and TV marketing. I have personally designed campaigns on Radio for clients and seen them work satisfying the client because they had my understanding of the effectiveness of the medium
Any particular incident that helped you discover your career option?
Brands interest me and if I am in touch with any of the process I can handle it
BACK TO COLLEGE
Does being a BMMite give you an edge over others? Yes/No – Please elaborate
Yes, I had executed projects in BMM which required very high level of understanding of media and I am faster in communication and understanding brands and their strategies
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?
Theory is necessary but a lot of times we understood theory not in the clasroom but while we were executing projects so the 50:50 mixture is just tailor made for brilliance
BMM or BMM from a particular college? Does it make a difference?
As long as you are in a college where lectures happen everyday and projects are submitted on time you have nothing to worry about, Classroom competence and motivation is very important
Did you complete any internship(s) – where, when, how was the experience?
Percept H in 2007, the experience was very insightful and helped me know that my creative side as a copywriter is not what I wanted to pursue instead I was good with branding and strategies
Internships during BMM – are they relevant in the long run?
Definitely they should be made compulsory as they give you a feeler of how the industry works and like I got a pre placement offer along with many others in my batch am sure everybody will feel secure doing the same
Work Ex or Higher Studies? What’s your pick? Why?
Higher studies are a must but BMM is an exception, also higher studies can come anytime, part time is always an option
BMMBOXER’S TAKE
BMM is Super Graduation
Your biggest achievement till date A corporate payroll in NDTV at the age of 23
You regret Regret
Your favorite subject in BMM Your hangout adda during BMM Marketing/Media Planning
Your hangout adda during BMM Any empty classroom in college
Define your job in one sentence I make people pay a price for a brand!
Your favorite professor at college Navin Kathuria
Your biggest goof up at work Sponsorships on Vodafone, gave away all at once!
YOUR TAKE
The journey so far…and where I see myself going Brilliant, exciting and hope to see more, I see myself making a brand that people will respect for ages to come
My Success Mantra My fear of failure
5 Tips for BMMites
1. Keep your eyes and ears open
2. Compete fiercely with the best
3. Night time is the best to study
4. Don’t introspect your life again and again
5. You are creative, just hunt for your calling
You can reach me Find me on FB – Lavanya Chhabra
