FIRST APPEARANCE
My Name Is Saloni Rishiraj
BMM From? St. Xavier’s College
Specialization Advertising
Year Completed BMM 2009
Other Educational Qualifications (PG/UG/Etc) Pursing my PG Diploma in Marketing Management from Wellingkar’s
Status Single
CAREERBOX
Professional Experience 3 years
You Currently Work At Lowe Lintas – Linopinion – PR Division – Manager
Your daily routine Reach office by 9.45 am. Track papers, send coverage updates to clients, prepare plans & strategies to leverage clients in media, pitch stories to media for clients, organise press meets/ set visit / events etc
Organization(s) You Worked At Before Hanmer MS & L – PR – Associate Executive
Comma Consulting – PR – Junior Account Executive
Key Projects/Campaigns You’ve Been Part Of
- Have handled launch of Kamat group of hotels and Starwood group of hotels in differents states of India.
- Launch various shows and organized events for NDTV Good Times, Zoom, Sony Pix, SAB TV, MTV, Vh1, Nickelodeon.
- Have done celebrity PR for various television star including Bikram Saluja, Smriti Irani etc.
- Have done PR for Plays, FMCG & Lifestyle products
Most challenging project/campaign you’ve been part of? What made it challenging?
- Viacom 18 -Launch of Roadies – audition travel and PR Campaign strategy planning for the on air show.
- SAB TV – Promoting the channel as the only comedy entertainment channel in India
How did you start your career? What was your first step after completing BMM?
I interned with TOI during by 11th vacation, later in the begining of my 2nd year interned with Comma consulting – a PR agency in 3 months they hired me as a part time resourse. So along with studying and completing projects, I was working as a part time consultant in PR.
Were you clear about which field you wanted to get into right from the beginning? What helped you take your leaps?
I was always clear that I wanted to get into media. Tried my hand with journalism after 11th but did not really like it. During my 2nd year my friend who was already in PR suggested that I should try this field as a career option. When I joined the PR industry I knew there was no looking back.
Any particular incident that helped you discover your career option?
Nothing in particular in PR you get to do everything, read, write , organize events, strategize, travel – this field pretty much has it all.
BACK TO COLLEGE
Does being a BMMite give you an edge over others? Yes/No – Please elaborate
Yes, at times. People perceive them to be more creative.
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?
No, theoretical knowledge is hardly of any use in this field. All that counts is your work experience and personality
BMM or BMM from a particular college? Does it make a difference?
Being a BMM graduate from Xavier’s definitely gave me an edge. But I see other college BMM graduates doing extremely well too. It’s just luck!
Did you complete any internship(s) – where, when, how was the experience?
I worked with TOI after 11th and during my BMM 2nd year I interned with a PR agency. Both were excellent learning experiences.
Internships during BMM – are they relevant in the long run?
Yes, totally. When organisations hire you, previous internship definitely count.
Work Ex or Higher Studies? What’s your pick? Why?
Work Ex for sure, but I have chosen to study along. As we all know sometime or the other a Degree surely makes a difference.
BMMBOXER’S TAKE
BMM is a lifestyle!
Your biggest achievement till date Being a Manager with Lintas Group at the age of 21!
You regret Could not give up my job to pursue MBA even after I got admission in a good college
Your favorite subject in BMM Your hangout adda during BMM PR
Your hangout adda during BMM Xaviers foyer
Define your job in one sentence The middle men / fixers between media and clients
Your favorite professor at college Gita Shashidharan
Your biggest goof up at work haha..no comments!
YOUR TAKE
The journey so far…and where I see myself going The journey has been interesting so far…I aim to start up something of my own in the next 5 – 6 years
My Success Mantra Let your hardwork speak!
5 Tips for BMMites
1)Complete your projects on time and make sure you put the good campaigns on your resume
2) Do atleast 2 internships during the course
3) Participate in college festivals and extra-curricular activities
4) Make sure you score the most in projects
5) ATTENDANCE really counts..So make sure you attend even if you come and sleep on the last bench
You can reach me http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=702245735
http://in.linkedin.com/pub/saloni-rishiraj/11/39/155
