MVP - THE MASTERS' VOICE PODCAST - MEDIABRIEF – Details, episodes & analysis

Send us a text

Ajay Kakar of Adani Group joins Pavan R Chawla for a deep, honest masterclass on brand integrity, storytelling, creativity, and marketing’s future.

In this powerful episode of MVP – The Master’s Voice Podcast from MediaBrief.com, host Pavan R Chawla sits down with Ajay Kakar, Head of Corporate Branding at the Adani Group, for an honest, nuanced conversation on branding, marketing, and the future of the industry.

Ajay brings decades of experience from his impactful stints at Ogilvy, Reliance, and the Aditya Birla Group, and now leads branding at one of India’s most prominent corporate groups. He reflects on his journey from the world of finance into advertising and marketing, offering invaluable insights into how brand custodians must think beyond just campaigns and focus on sustained storytelling and brand purpose.

The episode explores the evolution of corporate branding, especially in the context of legacy and infrastructure sectors. Ajay highlights how true brand connect is built not through showmanship, but through relevance, empathy, and integrity — all brought to life through compelling stories like Adani’s Pehle Pankha Phir Bijli campaign.

Ajay speaks passionately about GoaFest, describing it as India’s answer to Cannes and a melting pot of creative exchange, collaboration, and recognition. He offers a clear-eyed view on the state of measurement in marketing, calling for a unified, outcome-focused approach that helps marketers prove real business impact.

The conversation also delves into the impact of AI in creativity, where Ajay warns against using AI as a substitute for human insight. Instead, he urges professionals to use AI responsibly — as a tool, not a crutch — while keeping human emotion and judgment at the core.

Ajay also addresses the fragmentation of the marketing and advertising ecosystem, noting how silos have diluted brand coherence. He underscores the need for unified thinking across media, creative, and digital disciplines to drive true brand impact.

For young professionals, Ajay offers sincere advice: enter the industry only if you’re driven by passion, not just paychecks. The industry is demanding but deeply rewarding for those who want to create meaningful change.

This episode is a must-listen for brand leaders, creative professionals, marketers, and students alike — a compelling masterclass in brand strategy, creative integrity, and purposeful communication from one of the most respected voices in Indian marketing.

Want to pitch someone to be featured?

We have two podcast series: MVP - The Master's Voice Podcast, and MediaCast. Both are published by MediaBrief.com.

So, if you want to pitch someone to be considered for our podcasts, here's how you can do it:

• First, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram.
• Then, write to us at pavan [at] mediabrief dot com and alliances [at] mediabrief dot com, and also share links to your profiles that are following us.

Connecting socially is something we believe in and advocate. So go ahead. Reach out. We're happy, social souls.

Send us a text

In this, the 127th episode of the award-winning MVP – The Master’s Voice Podcast, host Pavan R Chawla speaks with Dr. Ram Kumar Kakani, Director of the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur.

A globally respected academic and institutional leader, Dr. Ram shares how IIM Raipur is shaping purpose-driven leaders through a future-ready, values-based approach to management education. He reflects on his leadership philosophy — rooted in the long view — with a powerful metaphor:

The conversation explores IIM Raipur’s remarkable evolution — from a new institution in 2010 to a top-ranked IIM today — driven by academic excellence, innovation, and inclusivity.

Dr. Ram outlines how the institute integrates AI and analytics into the curriculum while championing human judgment, empathy, and cross-cultural understanding, preparing students for leadership in a technology-driven world.

He discusses IIM Raipur’s focus on entrepreneurship, building “business owners, not just job seekers,” and highlights how democratic governance, diversity, and ethical reputation management are central to the institute’s DNA.

This candid, insightful conversation also reflects Dr. Ram’s humility, as he credits his teams, mentors, and collaborators for IIM Raipur’s progress and promise.

A must-listen for anyone passionate about leadership, higher education, and the role of management institutions in shaping society.

Thanks for your time. 

Want to pitch someone to be featured?

We have two podcast series: MVP - The Master's Voice Podcast, and MediaCast. Both are published by MediaBrief.com.

So, if you want to pitch someone to be considered for our podcasts, here's how you can do it:

• First, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram.
• Then, write to us at pavan [at] mediabrief dot com and alliances [at] mediabrief dot com, and also share links to your profiles that are following us.

Connecting socially is something we believe in and advocate. So go ahead. Reach out. We're happy, social souls.

Send us a text

This, the latest episode (#117) our award-winning series  MVP - The Master's Voice Podcast, features Eeshan Lokhande and Veer Patel, the innovative co-founders of the CEAT Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL), in conversation with show host and Founder-Editor of MEDIABRIEF.COM, Pavan R Chawla.  The discussion dives into the world of Supercross racing and the ambitious journey of CEAT ISRL, highlighting its unique contributions to Indian sports.

Genesis of CEAT Indian Supercross Racing League: Eeshan and Veer introduce listeners to Supercross racing, known for its high-flying jumps and intense competition. Inspired by motocross, Supercross is held on specially constructed dirt tracks. Eeshan and Veer aim to replicate this excitement in India through the CEAT ISRL, driven by their passion for the sport.

Building the league: teams, riders, and innovation: CEAT ISRL stands out for its innovative team structure, including different skill categories and the inclusion of women riders. This inclusive approach promotes gender diversity and broader participation. The duo explains the meticulous process of creating challenging yet safe tracks, emphasizing responsible racing behavior and stringent safety protocols.

Strategic partnerships and marketing: Eeshan and Veer highlight their collaboration with major broadcasting partners like Viacom18 and GeoCinema, which has significantly boosted the league’s visibility. Their multi-faceted marketing strategy targets Supercross enthusiasts, general sports fans, and potential sponsors through social media, promotional events, and collaborations with influential personalities.

Expansion plans and future vision: Looking ahead, Eeshan and Veer plan to expand the CEAT ISRL to more cities across India and explore international markets. They discuss their expectations for the league’s second season, focusing on enhancing the overall experience for participants and viewers and maintaining their position at the forefront of motorsport innovation in India.

Impact on the industry and job creation: Beyond racing excitement, Eeshan and Veer reflect on the broader impact of the CEAT ISRL on the Indian motorsport industry, including job creation in event management, broadcasting, and marketing. By building a robust ecosystem around Supercross racing, they aim to create sustainable growth opportunities within the industry.

Closing thoughts and future prospects: As the episode concludes, Eeshan and Veer express their enthusiasm for the future of Supercross racing in India. They see the CEAT ISRL as more than just a racing league; it’s a pla

Want to pitch someone to be featured?

We have two podcast series: MVP - The Master's Voice Podcast, and MediaCast. Both are published by MediaBrief.com.

So, if you want to pitch someone to be considered for our podcasts, here's how you can do it:

• First, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram.
• Then, write to us at pavan [at] mediabrief dot com and alliances [at] mediabrief dot com, and also share links to your profiles that are following us.

Connecting socially is something we believe in and advocate. So go ahead. Reach out. We're happy, social souls.

Send us a text

My distinguished guest in this episode of the The Master’s Voice is Mohit Nirula, CEO of Columbia Pacific Communities (CPC), India's largest senior-living community operators. CPC entered India realizing that an estimated 98 million of its citizens are approaching the golden age, and unlike the generations before them, these independent, financially stable, well-travelled, and socially connected individuals approach life  in their own way, defying the conventional notions of senior living. They demand a fuller life.

So when CPC approached Mohit Nirula, one of India’s most respected professionals from the hospitality industry, to join them to launch Columbia Pacific Communities in India some three years ago, Mohit  took up, and reveled in, the opportunity.

Mohit’s profile begins with a Chinese proverb that says,  "The best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago. The second best time is now." Why it begins that way, is that when Mohit entered his second innings with Columbia Pacific Communities, it was only the second company he was working with  after 30 years with the hotel industry! And Columbia Pacific Communities has allowed Mohit to bring to the fore all the considerable skills he has gained over the past three decades.

In this episode, Mohit speaks about how, driven by the mandate and mission to offer senior citizens exactly the kind of life they wish to live, his team and he have always kept CPC’s known commitment to offering unconditional love, respect and care in complete focus.

Of how CPC in India has been communicating its offerings and commitment to potential community members, and consistently demonstrating them,  by going against the usual, ‘safe’ belief that one must under-promise and over-deliver. Instead, says Mohit, “We over-promised, and stretched ourselves day and night to deliver.”

Mohit brings to bear his enormous strong hospitality leadership experience. He trained at the mecca of great hotel management training at the Oberoi School when it was in its prime as The Oberoi School of Hotel Management, and subsequently worked across the The Oberoi Group starting 1986, and since 1996, was in leadership roles, heading hotels  across brands like Novotel, Trident, Oberoi, and in  geographies like India, Mauritius and Egypt, with a diverse range of responsibilities across Operations, Openings, Renovations, and Restorations.

And today, Mohit lives to deliver on the promise of “providing our elders with a safe, secure and engaging lifestyle in an environment of genuine warmth and care”. That the Columbia Pacific Communities offerings have been extremely well received in India is visible from the fact that it's

Want to pitch someone to be featured?

We have two podcast series: MVP - The Master's Voice Podcast, and MediaCast. Both are published by MediaBrief.com.

So, if you want to pitch someone to be considered for our podcasts, here's how you can do it:

• First, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram.
• Then, write to us at pavan [at] mediabrief dot com and alliances [at] mediabrief dot com, and also share links to your profiles that are following us.

Connecting socially is something we believe in and advocate. So go ahead. Reach out. We're happy, social souls.

Send us a text

Our special, expert guest in this episode of The Master’s Voice podcast series from MediaBrief is Ashish Bhasin, CEO APAC and Chairman India – Dentsu International and member of the Dentsu International Global Executive Team. Ashish has been one of the finest business and thought leaders in the Advertising & Media industry across India and the Asia Pacific for the past 32 years, and in this special episode, Pavan R Chawla caught up with him for some inspirational insights for businesses in the Media, Marketing, Advertising and Comms spaces to survive and grow during and after the Pandemic.

Ashish speaks at length on the need to combine ambition with contentment, and why he believes Digital, which has always been his first and topmost agenda to grow Dentsu, has yielded phenomenal growth rewards for the group over the darkest period of human history, the pandemic. He also shares his views about multiple industry issues, plus insights on how best to hand-hold clients with effective empathy, care and impact, and much more.

Ashish is the astute business and thought leader who built the Dentsu Aegis Network in India from a 50-member team to a 3000-member powerhouse -- now the 2nd largest Advertising and Marketing Communications Group in India; in the process, overturning for the first time the existing ranking which was historically in place for more than 80 years.

Prior to this Ashish set up several of Lintas India’s (IPG) businesses and successfully led Lintas India for 20 years.  He also had the global role of Executive Vice President, Lowe Worldwide and Asia Regional Director for Integrated Marketing.

Ashish has won numerous awards, including a record four coveted South Asia Agency Head of the Year Award at Campaign Asia-Pacific's Agency of the Year Awards 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019.  He was named Network Head of the Year -  Media Ace Awards 2019, a distinction he also was conferred with in 2018. He was awarded the 2015 IAA Leadership Award for Media Agency Head of the Year and was the Dentsu Aegis Network Star Performer of the Year 2017.

Ashish was recently appointed as 2021 Effie’s Awards Chairman. He has also served as Head of Jury for the Asia Pacific Effie Awards 2017 and has served on several global juries including Cannes Lion 2016, Cannes Lion 2007, Dubai Lynx 2008, Festival of Media Global 2013 at Montreux and Asia’s Most Promising Brands and Leaders 2013 in Dubai. 

Ashish serves or has served on most industry bodies in India, including as Immediate Past President AAAI, Immediate Past Chairman MRUC, Chairman Goafest 2017 & 2018, Co-Chairman AAAI – IBF committee 2010 - 2018, Board Member-Broadcast Audien

Want to pitch someone to be featured?

We have two podcast series: MVP - The Master's Voice Podcast, and MediaCast. Both are published by MediaBrief.com.

So, if you want to pitch someone to be considered for our podcasts, here's how you can do it:

• First, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram.
• Then, write to us at pavan [at] mediabrief dot com and alliances [at] mediabrief dot com, and also share links to your profiles that are following us.

Connecting socially is something we believe in and advocate. So go ahead. Reach out. We're happy, social souls.

Send us a text

This episode of The Master’s Voice, the podcast series on MediaBrief features globally respected thinker, advisor, author and guide on transformative, movement-oriented philosophy and strategy - Scott Goodson, founder and CEO of StrawberryFrog, the celebrated Cultural Movement firm, in expert conversation with Pavan R Chawla. 

Scott has worked with leaders of many top global companies such as Mahindra, Google, Emirates, PepsiCo, SunTrust Bank, Walmart, and more, and I caught up with him for a deep dive on his excellent new book, Activate Brand Purpose, which Scott has co-authored with another reputed expert, Chip Walker, who leads the strategy and research divisions at StrawberryFrog, and specializes in Movement Marketing. 

StrawberryFrog creates ‘Movements that change companies and grow brands’, and Scott’s latest book, Activate Brand Purpose, comes when it is time, after the past year, for business leaders to move from intent and toothless purpose to action. Activate Brand Purpose is a pragmatic framework for business leaders to transform and grow companies while driving positive change. 

Because, as StrawberryFrog has said, ‘it’s one thing for brands to say they care about an issue, it’s another thing to back it up with real action. And consumers can tell the difference’. And that’s where Activate Brand Purpose can really help.

Scott speaks at length about  the book will help all business leaders who want to change employee habits, transform their company, and grow their business. 

Scott also reflects on some purpose-driven movements that have been the bedrock of his beliefs and counsel, and his experiences with top global brands. This includes the purpose model for SunTrust Bank and the Make History model for Jim Beam, among others.

Scott also speaks at length about writing the movement strategy and motto RISE for the Mahindra Group, which has been a torchbearer for purpose-driven thinking in India and is a global calling card for progressive, modern India. He also speaks of why he believes he connected extremely well with the Mahindra Group. And why he believes the groups ever-on commitment to purpose-driven approach has helped embed the kind of thinking and philosophy which work like an engine of society-first initiatives and growth.

Scott also shares what he believes are some of the qualities great leaders share, and also discusses his first book Uprising: How to Build a Brand and Change the World by Sparking Cultural Movements. He shares the vision Uprising… rolled out for brands and brand building when it was first published

Want to pitch someone to be featured?

We have two podcast series: MVP - The Master's Voice Podcast, and MediaCast. Both are published by MediaBrief.com.

So, if you want to pitch someone to be considered for our podcasts, here's how you can do it:

• First, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram.
• Then, write to us at pavan [at] mediabrief dot com and alliances [at] mediabrief dot com, and also share links to your profiles that are following us.

Connecting socially is something we believe in and advocate. So go ahead. Reach out. We're happy, social souls.

Send us a text

Ashish Pherwani, Leader – Media & Entertainment at EY India, speaks  with MediaBrief Founder-Editor Pavan R Chawla on EY India’s much-awaited  report on the business of Media & Entertainment in India, which it released along with FICCI, for 2020. Although the pandemic and lockdown pushed the M&E industry in India back three years in 2020, Ashish is extremely positive about the growth prospects, and shares his Top 5 take-outs – like the Top 5 headlines from the report, as it were. The conversation also looks at the OTT space and its massive growth potential, what with, as Ashish tells us, an estimated 500 original series waiting to follow last year’s act of 200 – which saw the sub-sector grow 46%, helping Digital lead the growth charge when India was in lockdown, and there were no feet on the ground.

Listen in to the insights, views and guidance of Ashish Pherwani, who brings more than 20 years of experience having served companies and clients in virtually all the M&E sub-sectors through Consulting Strategy for the Media and Entertainment space. Ashish  has been associated with more than 50 media companies across TV broadcasting, TV distribution, radio, content production, out of home, mobile, events, print and gaming, and believes: “With a billion Indian screens to serve, the opportunity to create global content and support creators with India’s talent, production, animation and VFX (Visual effects) capabilities, is enormous."

So, here’re some key points from the FICCI-EY report on the business of M&E in India, through a conversation between  Ashish Pherwani  and Pavan R Chawla, on this episode of MediaBrief.com's popular podcast series, The Masters' Voice. Listen in. 

Want to pitch someone to be featured?

We have two podcast series: MVP - The Master's Voice Podcast, and MediaCast. Both are published by MediaBrief.com.

So, if you want to pitch someone to be considered for our podcasts, here's how you can do it:

• First, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram.
• Then, write to us at pavan [at] mediabrief dot com and alliances [at] mediabrief dot com, and also share links to your profiles that are following us.

Connecting socially is something we believe in and advocate. So go ahead. Reach out. We're happy, social souls.

Send us a text

Our very special guest on the latest episode of The Master’s Voice Podcast series is trusted authority and leader in APAC's digital advertising industry,  Sunny Nagpal, co-founder and Managing Director – APAC,  Httpool, which is one of the largest international partners for major media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok and LinkedIn. 

For this special episode, Pavan R Chawla caught up with Sunny, who is also a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and an accomplished and acknowledged digital advertising and marketing expert, to speak about many things digital, programmatic, ad tech, and several related elements like combating ad fraud, great Httpool initiatives like empowering thousands of young digital marketers with free training programs; remarkable campaigns from Httpool like the one that delivered a 3000x ROI, how the company is empowering the B2B space with an infusion of technology, and how keeping its greatest asset, its talent, emotionally secure and happy helped the company rise above all business challenges during COVID to grow in a sustained manner. And much more.

Insights from a great career, right from his early days in Czechoslovkia, to the founding of Httpool and then bringing it to India, and more. From Sunny Nagpal, under whose aegis Httpool has completed thousands of campaigns across various channels of digital media for hundreds of global brands across all industries, supporting all top agencies and the ecosystem at large in Asia Pacific. And whose strategic leadership of  Httpool helped it win mandates to become the authorized sales partner for some of the largest global media platforms.

Sunny Nagpal, co-founder and MD –APAC, Httpool, is my special guest on this episode of The Master’s Voice, our popular podpcast series that reaches more than 95% of podcast listeners through the top directories all over the world. 

Listen in.

Want to pitch someone to be featured?

We have two podcast series: MVP - The Master's Voice Podcast, and MediaCast. Both are published by MediaBrief.com.

So, if you want to pitch someone to be considered for our podcasts, here's how you can do it:

• First, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram.
• Then, write to us at pavan [at] mediabrief dot com and alliances [at] mediabrief dot com, and also share links to your profiles that are following us.

Connecting socially is something we believe in and advocate. So go ahead. Reach out. We're happy, social souls.

Send us a text

This episode of The Master's Voice is a very special one, for multiple reasons - it features top Media thought leader Raj Nayak, Founder & MD - House of Cheer, and who is as highly respected as a remarkable professional as he is loved by those who know and have interacted with him, for being a wonderful human being. In this episode which we've published on the second day of the New Year, Raj, in conversation with Pavan R Chawla,  speaks about the H Factor  -- Happiness, which, he says, 'begins with You' -- and the plans for his very promising offering to corporates and businesses, the significant services of his House Of Cheer, which came into existence before the pandemic-enforced lockdown shut most things down.  The role and importance of the H Factor of Happiness cannot be over-stated, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, and as we being the new year, this very special episode about Happiness and more with a very special master, Raj Nayak, is our way of wishing our readers and everyone else in the industry, a Happy New Year. 

And to Raj Nayak, from all of us, here's a very special wish: Happy Birthday, Raj! Yes, it's today, the 2nd of January 2021, which is why we decided to publish this episode today.
We did say this episode's very special for multiple reasons.

We hope you enjoy the episode and find it relevant and useful. Remember, for corporates and businesses, the future will boil down to the happiness of those who man and run, and emotionally own, them.

So bring out your headphones and sit back and listen to Raj speak in the endearing and engaging manner only he can. Extempore, and straight from the heart.
       

Want to pitch someone to be featured?

We have two podcast series: MVP - The Master's Voice Podcast, and MediaCast. Both are published by MediaBrief.com.

So, if you want to pitch someone to be considered for our podcasts, here's how you can do it:

• First, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram.
• Then, write to us at pavan [at] mediabrief dot com and alliances [at] mediabrief dot com, and also share links to your profiles that are following us.

Connecting socially is something we believe in and advocate. So go ahead. Reach out. We're happy, social souls.

Send us a text

On this episode of The Master’s Voice, our guest is MVS Murthy, Head – Marketing & Digital, Tata Asset Management,  who is a true digital maven with an illustrious two-decade career with India’s top Banking, Insurance and Broking companies in their Marketing and Digital spaces,  and is now the go-to person for Tata Asset Management’s Marketing and Communication strategies. Pavan R Chawla caught up with MVS – which is how his friends address him –  for a deep dive with this inspiring Digital Marketing leader who is highly experienced and adept at handling Brand, Communication, Digital Marketing and Digitization of Customer Experience.

We hope you will find this a truly rewarding chat filled with excellent insights from the passion, knowledge and experience of this passionate visionary of data-driven marketing who focuses on three crucial growth areas — revenue, customers and value. And doesn’t set too much store by the rear-view mirror as he drives Tata Asset Management forward during these extremely challenging times, to ever greater salience and growth. 

The conversation with MVS touches upon The Tata Mutual Fund story, and how it has been reaching out to its customers and channel partners during the lockdown with very few feet on the ground; the evolution of the industry -- whether it is the client-agency model or other aspects that empower businesses -- and the role of technology as a catalyst in the rise of marketing. Including the place, role and scale of performance-based digital marketing  in the TMF marketing plans, and the new uses of tech that marketing has found. 

 So, a deep dive with MVS.

 Dive in.

Want to pitch someone to be featured?

We have two podcast series: MVP - The Master's Voice Podcast, and MediaCast. Both are published by MediaBrief.com.

So, if you want to pitch someone to be considered for our podcasts, here's how you can do it:

• First, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram.
• Then, write to us at pavan [at] mediabrief dot com and alliances [at] mediabrief dot com, and also share links to your profiles that are following us.

Connecting socially is something we believe in and advocate. So go ahead. Reach out. We're happy, social souls.