ETPWLA 2023: Announcing the nominees for the Marketing Leader of the Year Award
Synopsis
Ahead of the ETPrime Women Leadership Awards (ETPWLA) 2023 Grand Finale on August 4, 2023, the Economic Times is proud to announce the shortlisted nominees for the Marketing Leader of the Year Award. They represent exceptional women leaders who have demonstrated excellence in setting new benchmarks and achieving new milestones over the past year in the field of brand building and marketing.
The ETPrime Women Leadership Awards (ETPWLA) 2023 – which celebrates and honours women leaders who embody excellence in business, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership – announced the shortlisted profiles across 16 award categories, including the ETPWLA – Marketing Leader of the Year Award.
Through the Marketing Leader of the Year Award category, the ETPrime Women Leadership Awards programme has, over the years, celebrated exceptional women leaders in the field of marketing, branding, advertising, and strategic communications. This year, the shortlisted nominees for the ETPWLA – Marketing Leader of the Year Award category are Neha Ahuja, Director and Head of Marketing at Spotify, Ranjani Krishnaswamy, GM of Marketing at Titan, Sakshi Verma Menon, Director Marketing at Kimberly Clark, Shalini Rao, CMO of Bangalore International Airport, and Shreya Sachdev, Head of Marketing & Strategy at PUMA India.
The nominees were shortlisted based on their expertise, achievements, sector and company performance, notable awards received, and their ability to drive success in terms of budgets, market share, geographies, and categories/products and brands managed.
Neha Ahuja, Director, Head of Marketing – India, Middle East and North Africa, Spotify
As Director and Head of Marketing – India, Middle East and North Africa for Spotify, Neha Ahuja has transformed Spotify India into the company’s fastest-growing market globally within four years since its launch in India. Ahuja has positioned Spotify as a comprehensive music platform across languages and genres, contributing to its prominence in terms of streams and global user base growth. Her innovative campaigns, such as Spotify Wrapped, have generated organic advocacy and user engagement. Ahuja’s dedication to empowering creators and artists is evident through initiatives that support independent music globally and programs like bootcamps for podcasters. Overcoming distribution challenges and expanding the music streaming category while supporting independent artists have been among Ahuja’s notable achievements. Her strategic vision, leadership, and commitment to equity make her a deserving nominee for this Award.
Ranjani Krishnaswamy, GM – Marketing, Titan
An accomplished marketing leader, Ranjani Krishnaswamy has made a profound impact on society through her innovative campaigns. Her work challenges societal norms and reshapes perceptions, driving important conversations about inclusivity. Krishnaswamy’s notable achievements include campaigns like ‘Ekatvam,’ ‘Marriage Conversations,’ ‘When it Rings True’ and ‘A Jewel for Every Tradition,’ which celebrate unity and redefine wedding narratives. She courageously pioneered the ‘Puddumai Penn’ campaign, empowering women to embrace their true selves. She also launched the groundbreaking ‘Every Woman a Diamond’ campaign, redefining expectations. Additionally, Krishnaswamy has driven Tanishq’s digital transformation, enabling contactless selling and achieving remarkable growth in digitally-influenced sales, with a 100x increase over two years. Her leadership, creativity, and commitment to societal impact have made her a true marketing leader and her nomination for this Award is a well-deserved recognition of her outstanding contributions to marketing and her ability to create meaningful change in society.
Saakshi Verma Menon, Director Marketing – India, Kimberly Clark
Known for her successful brand relaunches and digital marketing strategies, Sakshi Menon’s strategic initiatives helped revitalise brands such as Kotex and Huggies, resulting in increased market share and consumer engagement. Menon’s partnerships with digital platforms like Amazon and Google have driven brand success through personalised marketing approaches. Beyond her professional achievements, Menon is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, leading the women inclusion group and launching mentorship programs. She has also conducted menstrual education programs and championed sustainability efforts, recycling plastic waste for building materials. Her exceptional achievements, dedication to societal impact, and visionary leadership make her a deserving nominee for this Award.
Shalini Rao, CMO, Bangalore International Airport
Shalini Rao has a proven track record of driving strategic marketing initiatives in the aviation industry and has played a pivotal role in the growth and success of BIAL. Rao has spearheaded innovative campaigns, like ‘Time to Connect,’ highlighting the emotional aspect of travel, fostering meaningful relationships. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Rao skillfully navigated effective communication with consumers and employees, ensuring transparent and reliable information for all stakeholders. Her initiatives included launching BIAL911, a 24/7 helpline for employee support during the pandemic. Recognised for her outstanding leadership and marketing acumen, Rao has received numerous accolades including being named one of Asia’s 100 Women Power Leaders and a top marketing influencer. Rao’s achievements in marketing, innovative strategies, and leadership qualities have made a significant impact on the aviation industry and positioned her as a deserving nominee for this award category.
Shreya Sachdev, Head of Marketing & Strategy, PUMA India
A marketing professional with a strategic acumen and a passion for driving growth in the sports industry, Shreya Sachdev has played a key role in driving PUMA’s growth in the country. Sachdev’s leadership has led to impactful marketing campaigns, including the successful ‘Let There Be Sport’ and ‘Cricket is everyone’s game’ campaigns. She has also managed renowned brand ambassadors, strengthening PUMA’s association with top sports personalities and celebrities in India. Sachdev’s ability to navigate the competitive sports industry landscape and innovate marketing campaigns that resonate with diverse consumers showcases her strategic acumen. Balancing brand marketing and strategic planning, she has positioned PUMA as a premium sports lifestyle brand in India. Shreya Sachdev’s achievements and leadership qualities make her a deserving nominee for this Award.
ETPWLA Winner Felicitation on 4 August
The Marketing Leader of the Year Award category remains a pinnacle of recognition and celebration for exceptional marketing professionals and has garnered tremendous excitement within the industry over the years. Each of the nominees for the Marketing Leader of the Year Award category at the ETPWLA 2023 have demonstrated exemplary leadership and achieved remarkable results in their respective fields.
The final winners for each of the award categories will be announced at the Grand Felicitation Ceremony of the ETPWLA 2023 awards on 4 August 2023 at Mumbai.
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