He lives life to its fullest, he is
an opinion leader, he is smart, he has his own style, he is professional but at
the same time has the best sense of humour. He is that kind of a personality
who is loved by all his students and even the CEO’s of big companies. I have
been his student during my post graduation and his was the only lecture we all
use to wait for. Possessing a knack of understanding every student, being
strict when needed and at the same time partying makes him everybody’s all time
favourite. Let’s Talk Life with Sr. Account Director and Professor Prasad Iyer, .where he talks about
his career journey from Client Servicing Executive to Sr. Account Director, his teaching experience( Media Planning) and his immense love for life
- Kindly tell us
something about yourself ?
My early life has not been a life of
luxury…its been meeting necessities…which my parents never ever made me
realise…despite not having the best of luxuries and conveniences that a child
used to yearn for…I have been fortunate enough to have been educated in a
convent…St. Francis D’Assisi High School,Borivali…like for every child I too
yearned for all the Childhood fancies..celebrating birthdays in class, calling
all friends at home for birthday parties ( the children types ), sporting
shoes, having the best bites for my tiffin while in class…( jelly cream
biscuits..wafers..etc..) all these were hopes that I would want to realise
while I would have chocolates that would be distributed in class for someone
else’s bday…Yes..those days were full of those childish dreams and I wanted to
be a me too with everyone else..when that was not the case in reality…the one
thing that I always treasure from my parents from then till now is the element
of being grounded…”realise the fact..what can be afforded..what is needed..what
is a luxury…” fortunately that’s what has made me what I am today….My parents
have always instilled the learning of “Being wise and Humble”. Yes..in life
this does not always come up to your favour..but this gives you an identity…My
Childhood has been that of immense playing in the outdoor’s…till dusk…it was
fun…no inhibitions…no etiquettes…just be yourself with your friends and make
the most of your time…As a student in school…I was average in my studies….But was
lucky…my parents were not demanding…there was never ever stress or pressure of
any kind…to perform..to be the no.1…I consider myself to be very lucky….i had
that independence…I will vouch this was the basic foundation for my
persona…Till date…I survive on that…
Schooling happened…college
started..nervous, that was me.. to step into a class of girls and boys as I was
from a boys convent….and it was difficult for me for the 1st two
years as I didn’t even know how to start a conversation with girls and my responses
were in pure mono – syllables…as in only when I was spoken too and those were
rare occasions…but my saving grace was I was a very average college student in
looks and in studies too..so had a limited set of 3-4 friends ( all boys ) who
used to hang out only in college….and once lectures were over back home…that
was indeed the routine…typical school like…degree was the time when we all
opened up and had a big gang of boys and girls ..by then had become comfortable
in my conversation with girls too….It was during degree started representing
college for Debates and elocution and fortunately got a few accolades for the
college too on a inter collegiate level…took up the responsibility of a
coordinator for English literary Association….
Completed Graduation…got in to a
Multinational as an Accounts trainee ( I am allergic to numbers ) and survived
for 2 years that’s when I realised…accounts and finance is not for me….so
enrolled for the advertising and communications course in KC while working - as I felt I could relate to
communications….this was a tough decision as my career’s two years were already
spent on finance…and It already pinched me as a late starter for
advertising…but nevertheless…had to do it…post completion of my course….took
almost one-and-a half years for me to get a job in an agency as my resume
reflected finance…but I could nt avoid it..as I had to show I was working…and I
had to be honest…my first job as a client servicing trainee started….and yes
that’s when I realised a client servicing job in an agency is thankless….you
slog….you run around…you run…errands…you do research…you spend time on
libraries digging data..as google was unheard of then or rather unfamiliar…so
life as a trainee client servicing is indeed tough…Sunday was a big luxury..tho it used to pass so quickly that u didn’t even
realise it as a holiday…
“Life is all about challenges…but as
they say when all doors close….there is one window always open and this is
where you are sure about the divine presence that governs you and has got me so
far…….” ..I firmly believe in the fact…”THIS TOO SHALL PASS It’s all about
Sharing, caring and giving.”
- What are you currently doing professionally?
Currently am serving as a Senior
Account Director of MX Advertising Pvt Ltd..with a career spanning 12 years in
advertising…and I believe am still learning, crawling as everday is a new
experience with clients..within the agency…within departments….everyday is a
challenge…
- What made you choose this career?
I
realised just a diploma in advertising will not help me further in my
career…I realised needed to get into management studies…enrolled with
welingkars for masters in marketing management and earned the 3 years degree…life
was tough pursuing the management degree and also serving in a agency as a
servicing guy..but had to go through that routine…Sundays weren’t spared
either….it was work and studies without anytime for yourself..Leave aside
family and domestic functions….but the only thing that I could stare at that
time was my future in advertising and immediately after completion of the
course got into an other agency as an Account manager…
- What is an exact role of a Client
Servicing Professional?
A client Servicing executive ( CSE )
is the face of the agency for the client…a CSE is as good as the product or
product development manager for the client…he/she is the primary interface for
the agency and they are the clients representative for the agency..the y need
to be completely aware of their brand….their competitors…what next could be
suggested…how to be economically viable while suggesting proposals and make
those work for the brand…..he/she needs to have info on their finger-tips and
they should be good communicators…handle pressure…be sensitive to their clients
needs…understand the client…..to become a professional client servicing
executive….it should take 3-4 years because you need to get the experience of
servicing brands across all categories…
- What has this job taught you?
My limited experience in servicing
clients have taught me that you should have an open mind and be simple and
realistic with the Client…Be honest about deadlines and justify your
plans/actions politely..not by being loud or being assertive…understand even
the client harbour their own pressure…do not get carried away and talk what
cannot be done…..be practical..be realistic…always respect the client coz he
knows his brand better ……this is purely my reading and it has helped me survive
besides being appreciated from clients….
- You are a visiting faculty at K. C. College of Management
studies teaching Media Planning.. Talk about that?
Teaching at KC has been a enriching
and a insightful experience…such brilliant bundle of talent waiting for their
right opportunity….enthusiastic kids..Brimming with ideas…they drive you with
energy and you learn from them….as a teacher..i do not believe in reading out
from the books….i believe in being practical…giving them current scenarios of
clients and the way they work out strategies for their brands….believe more in
sharing professional experience and make them mature about what is in store for
them and preparing them for their survival in advertising….i believe you cannot
act as a teacher when you are dealing with such a age profile….you need to
relate to them..they can understand..they know what is right…its being the
right guide….that is it….and confession….teaching bright kids is a stress
buster….makes me feel light..makes me feel..I am one of them….
- You are a balance of a fun loving and dedicated
personality, does that help to crack clients?
Yes I am fun loving…and you cannot service
your clients if you are that serious kinda guy…you need to be light hearted
sensible..Sensitive…it helps and you can cut across serious conversations in a
light manner…that is what communication all about
- Can people from any Bachelors degree opt to become a
Client Servicing executive?
Yes am of the opinion that people
from any stream for servicing..They need to have passion for advertising there are
many personalities in advertising who come from many different streams…
- Challenges that you faced during your journey? How did you
overcome them?
Have faced many challenges..many
egos…there are times when have been insulted by the clients…have heard a
mouthful…also had the experience of coming to the agency and telling we shall
no longer be servicing the account from tomorrow…..it fully depends on how you
handle the situation and look forward. Advertising teaches you composure..patience…humility..that too while
you are in servicing…be positive and move on is the mantra here….
- ·
Advantages of
choosing your career?
Advertising also has its rewards……international trips..Parties…where
you let yourself down…have fun…..
- Apart from your job, what do you do
in your past time?
My pastime is country songs, hip hop,
ghazals and Illaiyaraja and Rahman classics. I do non fiction….For a change
there is one fiction which I have read thrice and that is Mario Puzo’s the God
father……truly inspiring….
- What was your 'Nothing is Impossible moment'?
My Nothing is impossible moment was
when I had to present my agency as a pitch in 5 minutes over a concall and that
was the deciding factor of bagging that account..and delighted that I was the
account came to us….over a concall…just by letting your work to speak for you
and assuring the client of the confidence. The point here is pure conviction…
- Lastly what advice would you give to the aspiring
Client Servicing executives who want to make their mark in the field?
My only advise to aspiring client
servicing people…”Be yourself…Accept what cannot be done..do not over commit
and under deliver..Rather be honest…Do not try to fake or put on..Simplicity in
behaviour and communication is the key…” this is purely my reading and it has
worked so far for me.
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