In this candid conversation, advertising legend R. Sridhar takes us through his remarkable journey through fascinating anecdotes involving industry giants like David Ogilvy, Mani Ayer, and Drayton Bird. Sridhar reveals how authentic leadership and deep consumer understanding shaped his approach to building brands and teams.

About the Guest

Five key takeaways from this episode:

Connect with Sridhar

Connect with Swami

Timestamps

2:20 - 5:48 Sridhar's Greatest Mentors: Life Lessons from His Father

5:48 - 13:33 From Physics to Advertising: An Unexpected Career Path

13:33 - 15:49 Marketing Mastery with Mani Ayer at Ogilvy

15:49 - 26:19 Valuable Lessons Learning and Growing under Mani Ayer

26:19 - 28:58 Sridhar's First Meeting with David Ogilvy That Changed Everything

37:22 - 40:14 Building Direct Marketing in Indian Advertising

40:14 - 42:49 Decoding Brands with Drayton Bird at Ogilvy London

42:49 - 45:05 A Lunch in Paris with David Ogilvy

5:05 - 47:43 David Ogilvy on Building a Marketing Career

47:43 - 56:02 The Ad Campaign That Transformed Infosys

56:02 - 57:37 What Goes Behind Great Brand Building

57:37 - 1:00:51 Why Marketing Needs Orchestration: The Ogilvy Way

1:00:51 - 1:03:08 How CMOs Can Build Integration and Orchestrated Thinking

1:03:08 - 1:05:21 Direct Marketing Principles for the Digital Age

1:05:21 - 1:07:24 Today's CMO Must Speak the Language of Results

1:14:08 - 1:16:35 Corporate Leader to Independent Consultant Journey

1:16:35 - 1:18:49 How Sridhar Spends His Time These Days

1:18:49 - 1:19:48 Being Different as Your Biggest Strength

1:19:48 - 1:21:56 Essential Advice for Young Marketers

1:21:56 - 1:22:36 What Success Really Means

1:22:36 - 1:24:30 A Message to 18-Year-Olds About Dreams

1:24:30 - 1:26:27 The Best Career Advice Sridhar Ever Received

1:26:27 - 1:28:25 Why Being Useful Never Gets Old

This episode was sponsored by MovingWalls, a global Adtech platform that automates Out-of-home advertising campaigns. Operating across four continents, Moving Walls measures over 100,000 media sites and processes 10 billion+ data points. Learn more at https://www.movingwalls.com.

Transforming Global Food Systems Through Local Action

Revolutionizing Organizational Learning

Dr. Nigel Paine, a leading expert in organizational learning, advocates for a shift from individual-focused to collective learning approaches. He emphasizes the importance of systems thinking and understanding the interconnectedness within organizations to drive meaningful change. Dr. Paine argues that by focusing on "knowing" rather than just "knowledge," organizations can create more dynamic, responsive learning environments that better address complex challenges.

Transforming Adult Learning in the Workplace

Dr. Paine shares innovative strategies for adult learning, highlighting the need for experiential, context-rich learning experiences. He provides compelling examples from his work at the BBC, demonstrating how immersive, scenario-based training can lead to significant improvements in performance and understanding. Dr. Paine also stresses the importance of values-driven organizations and the role of organizational culture in fostering effective learning and development.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Dr. Nigel Paine is a prominent thought leader in learning, development, and technology. With over 25 years of experience, he's a sought-after speaker, author, and consultant in organizational learning and leadership development. Formerly the Chief Learning Officer at the BBC, Dr. Paine now advises companies worldwide on building learning cultures and embracing technological change. 

He's written several books, including "Workplace Learning: How to Build a Culture of Continuous Employee Development" and "Building Leadership Development Programmes: Zero-Cost to High-Investment Programmes that Work." Dr. Paine is also a professor, broadcaster, and podcast host, dedicated to transforming organizational learning for the digital age. His expertise lies in helping companies navigate complex change through effective learning strategies.

5 takeaways from this episode:

Connect with:

Dr Nigel Paine on LinkedIN

⁠Swami on LinkedIN⁠

⁠Click here for Show Notes⁠

This episode was made possible by the great folks at Effortless.

Amita Mehra on Mastering Data-Driven Marketing with Google

Google's AI Revolution in Digital Marketing: Insights from Amita Mehra

In this exclusive episode of The Super CMO Show, we dive deep into the cutting-edge world of AI-powered digital marketing with Amita Mehra, Head of Agency Business at Google. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Amita shares invaluable insights on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the marketing landscape and empowering brands to achieve unprecedented success.

Transforming Campaigns with Data-Driven Strategies and First-Party Data

Discover how Google's advanced AI tools are revolutionizing campaign optimization and learn the importance of building a robust first-party data infrastructure. Amita Mehra reveals key strategies for marketers to thrive in the AI era, including the shift towards integrated planning across channels and the evolution of media agencies from idea generators to solution facilitators. This episode is a must-listen for marketers looking to future-proof their careers and harness the full potential of AI-driven marketing.

Click here for show notes.

Watch full video episodes on YouTube

Connect with Amita on LinkedIN

Connect with Swami on LinkedIN

About The Guest

Amita Mehra, Head of Agency Business at Google, is a seasoned expert in the digital advertising landscape with over 20 years of industry experience. For the past 15 years, she has been at the forefront of Google's digital advertising initiatives across the APAC region, leveraging her expertise in campaign management, business analysis, and project operations to drive innovation and success. As a Business Process Improvement professional with a keen analytical mind, Amita excels in creating end-to-end sales processes and fostering global collaboration. Her leadership at Google continues to shape the future of digital marketing, guiding agencies and clients through the complexities of AI-driven strategies, data analytics, and integrated planning to achieve unprecedented marketing success in the digital age.

Timestamps

00:03:31 - 00:06:22  How does Google support media agencies?

00:06:22 - 00:11:30  Why is marketing experimentation crucial?

00:11:30 - 00:17:31  How to develop a data-driven mindset?

00:17:31 - 00:20:52  What changes does AI bring to marketing?

00:20:52 - 00:24:26  How to build first-party data infrastructure?

00:24:26 - 00:29:28  Main challenges in first-party data adoption?

00:29:28 - 00:35:23  How to optimize campaigns with Google's AI tools?

00:35:23 - 00:38:30  How are media agency roles evolving?

00:38:30 - 00:44:43  What new skills do marketers need in the AI era?

00:44:43 - 00:49:22  Benefits of integrated marketing planning?

00:49:22 - 00:51:55  Example of successful AI-powered marketing?

00:51:55 - 00:52:49  Top three future skills for digital marketers?

00:52:49 - 00:53:28  Advice for university marketing students?

00:53:28 - 00:54:26  Most valuable career advice you've received?

00:54:26 - 00:56:18  Where to learn about AI-driven marketing?

00:56:18 - 00:57:10  Google's resources for marketing creativity?

This episode was made possible by the great folks at MovingWalls.

Moving Walls provides a global Adtech platform built by Out-of-home advertising experts, automating the process of planning, buying, executing and measuring OOH campaigns, with a presence across four continents and seven markets.

Moving Walls processes more than 10 billion data points and measures more than 100,000 media sites across the globe. In 2017, APAC CIO Outlook listed us as one of the “10 Most Promising Digital Technology Solutions Providers”. Moving Walls is also a Tie50 winner, a listing of 50 most enterprising startups globally.

Visit www.movingwalls.com to learn more.

Zoho's Revolutionary Approach: Skills-Based Learning for Tech Industry Success

Rajendran Dandapani, a tech leader at Zoho Corp, shares insights on reimagining education and career development. He emphasizes the importance of practical, hands-on learning over traditional academic metrics, as exemplified by Zoho Schools of Learning. This innovative program focuses on cultivating real-world skills, fostering a product mindset, and preparing students for the dynamic tech industry. Dandapani advocates for a shift from time-driven to event-driven learning, encouraging students to pursue their interests actively rather than passively receiving information.

Leadership and Lifelong Learning in Tech: Insights from Zoho's Rajendran Dandapani

The conversation also delves into the essence of lifelong learning and leadership in the tech industry. Dandapani stresses the significance of finding one's true calling, rather than merely chasing jobs. He discusses the importance of resilience, transparency, and the ability to adapt in leadership roles. Notably, he challenges the notion of unbiased leadership, suggesting that effective leaders must make deliberate choices in allocating their attention and resources. Throughout the interview, Dandapani's unconventional approach to education and career development shines through, offering fresh perspectives on preparing the next generation of tech innovators.

About The Guest:

Rajendran Dandapani is a technology leader and educational innovator serving as Business Solutions Evangelist at Zoho Corp and President of Zoho Schools of Learning. An IIT-Madras dropout, Rajendran was part of Zoho's founding team and later spent seven years as Chief Algorithms Officer at Xerago. Since rejoining Zoho in 2004, he has spearheaded mobile development for their 45 million+ customers, led Zoho Schools of Learning, and become a respected TEDx speaker and technology evangelist.

A self-described "contra-academician," Rajendran is passionate about reimagining education. He homeschooled his son, who later graduated from Zoho Schools and now works alongside him at Zoho Corp. With over two decades of experience, Rajendran's unique blend of technical expertise, educational innovation, and unconventional thinking makes him a compelling voice in both the tech industry and educational reform.

00:02:26 - 00:07:13 Rajendran's Journey and Life Lessons

00:07:13 - 00:15:24 How Can Young People Change Their Minds About Success?

00:15:24 - 00:23:11 What Makes Zoho Schools Unique?

00:23:11 - 00:28:42 How Do You Integrate Different Tracks At Zoho Schools?

00:28:42 - 00:30:24 How Many Students Have "Ungraduated" From Zoho Schools?

00:30:24 - 00:35:43 What's Needed For India To Become A Product Nation?

00:35:43 - 00:42:01 Why Is A Compass Mindset Important In Tech?

00:42:01 - 00:49:27 How Can Professionals Disrupt Their Working Life?

00:49:27 - 00:55:22 Career Vs. Job: What's The Difference?

00:55:22 - 01:02:07 What Skills Make A True Leader?

01:02:07 - 01:05:47 How Can We Build Resilience In An Age Of Instant Gratification?

01:05:47 - 01:06:17 What is Success?

01:06:17 - 01:06:44 Advice to a University Student

01:06:44 - 01:07:21 Best Advice Rajendran Has Ever Received

01:07:21 - 01:08:39 Guests at a Dream Dinner

01:08:39 - 01:09:16 What Rajendran Believes That Others Don't

Raj Dandapani on LinkedIN

Swami on LinkedIN

Click here for Show Notes

This episode was made possible by the great folks at Effortless.

Professor David Nutt, a renowned Neuropsychopharmacologist, specializes in researching the effects of drugs on the brain, particularly in relation to conditions like addiction, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. As the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of the non-profit DrugScience and the head of the Center for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London, Professor Nutt is a leading advocate for evidence-based drug policies and innovative approaches to mental health treatment.In the episode, Professor Nutt explains his role as a neuropsychopharmacologist, emphasizing the study of how drugs affect brain function and mental health. He shares his extensive experience in prescribing medications and exploring brain mechanisms through pharmacology.

Professor Nutt highlights the importance of neurotransmitters in brain communication and how drugs can mimic or block these chemicals to treat mental illnesses. He reflects on his influential 2010 Lancet paper, which evaluated the harms of various drugs and controversially concluded that alcohol was the most harmful substance overall in the UK. This finding has been replicated in studies across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, reinforcing the need for policies that address both personal and social harms caused by alcohol.The discussion also covers Prof. Nutt’s efforts to develop synthetic alcohol, aiming to provide the relaxing effects of traditional alcohol without the associated health risks and social harms. He emphasizes the potential of these alternatives to reduce alcohol-related deaths and improve public health.

Additionally, Prof. Nutt delves into the use of psychedelics like psilocybin for treating mental health disorders, explaining how these substances can reset brain function and offer long-lasting relief from conditions like depression. He contrasts this with traditional antidepressants, which often need to be taken continuously and can have significant side effects.Professor David Nutt’s work highlights the transformative potential of science and innovation in addressing some of the most pressing issues in mental health and drug policy. By advocating for evidence-based approaches and exploring new treatments like synthetic alcohol and psychedelics, Nutt aims to reduce the societal and personal harms caused by substance abuse and mental illness. His insights underscore the importance of continued research and the adoption of policies that prioritize scientific evidence over political expediency, ultimately fostering a healthier and more informed society.

Watch the video episode on YouTube.

Prof. Nutt on X https://x.com/ProfDavidNutt

Swami on LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/sivaraman-swaminathan-9856501/

For Show Notes, visit https://www.contraminds.com

This episode was made possible by the great folks at Effortless.

Effortless has been designed to be user-friendly, aiding you in your journey to streamline financial tasks.

Experience the convenience of achieving e-Invoicing and E-way Bill Generation in just a couple of clicks, simplifying your business processes.Visit www.goeffortless.ai to learn more.

Making Education Engaging: A Journey of Discovery

Build Mastery Through Deliberate Practice and Varied Experiences

To build true mastery in any skill or profession, it's crucial to engage in deliberate practice focused on continual improvement, not just mindless repetition that leads to automaticity. Expose yourself to varied practice scenarios and different contexts to develop deeper flexibility and understanding. Early in your career, prioritize breadth over narrow specialization by seeking out diverse, challenging experiences across multiple domains. This varied background better equips you to adapt as industries and opportunities evolve over time.

Cultivate a Mastery Mindset with Lifelong Learning

Approaching any endeavor with a "mastery mindset" centered on lifelong learning, not just surface-level performance goals, is key to achieving excellence. Realize that simply accumulating years of experience often plateaus your growth; you must make efforts to deliberately improve through practice, feedback, and learning from others at the cutting edge. Maintain a spirit of curiosity, embrace arduous projects that excite you, and take full ownership over charting your own path to mastery. With sustained dedication, the potential exists for anyone to acquire remarkable skills in their chosen pursuit.

About The Guest

Scott H. Young is an author, programmer, and an entrepreneur. Scott's work has been featured in the New York Times, BBC, TEDx, Pocket, and Business Insider. He is also the author of the Wall Street best -selling book, Ultra Learning. Scott's new book.

Get Better at Anything is out in the stands now. In this new book, Scott explore the science of skill acquisition, illustrating the core principles that can help you get better at the things that matter most to you.

Timestamps

05:04 - 09:12 What got Scott Interested in Mastery

09:13 - 11:38 Mastery vs Excellence

11:38 - 16:17 Mastery Motivations vs Performance Motivations

16:18 - 22:40 How To Build Mastery in Anything That You Do

22:41 - 28:58 The Process of Seeing, Doing and Taking Feedback

28:59 - 32:43 Apprenticeship Helps You Build Mastery

32:44 - 39:09 Defining Your Profession To Define Your Mastery

39:10 - 43:46 Variability Over Repetition

43:47 - 49:17 How Will AI Aid Mastery?

49:18 - 55:46 The Need For Mastery in Craft

55:47 - 56:45 What is Success?

56:46 - 58:42 Advice for an 18-year Old at University

58:43 - 01:00:21 Best Advice Scott Ever Received

01:00:22 - 01:01:54 Scott's Dream Dinner Guests

01:01:55 - 01:02:46 What Scott Believes That Others Don’t

For Selected Links, Show Notes and more insights⁠

This episode was made possible by the great folks at Effortless.Effortless has been designed to be user-friendly, aiding you in your journey to streamline financial tasks.

Experience the convenience of achieving e-Invoicing and E-way Bill Generation in just a couple of clicks, simplifying your business processes. Visit www.goeffortless.ai to learn more.

#Mastery,#LifelongLearning,#SelfImprovement,#ProductivityHacks,#PersonalGrowth,#KnowledgeWork,#LearningScience,#CognitiveScience,#ExpertPerformance,#DeliberatePractice,#MasteryMindset,#CareerSuccess,#SkilledCraft,#LearningStrategies,#GetBetterAtAnything

Ricky Afrianto is a Global Marketing Head/Director - Mayora Group. Previously he was Marketing Director and managed 21 brands across 5 categories: Biscuit, Candy, Wafer, Chocolate & Instant Food. Before joined Mayora, Ricky was Regional Marketing/Category Manager – Adult Category for Asia & Middle East Region of Fonterra Brands Singapore.

Connect with Ricky on LinkedIN

Connect with Swami on LinkedIN

15 key takeaways from this conversation:

1. Mayora is an Indonesian food and beverage company with a wide range of products available in over 100 countries, with almost equal business split between domestic and international markets.

2. Local brands like Mayora can innovate and make decisions faster compared to large multinational companies due to their entrepreneurial mindset and connection with local markets.

3. CPG marketing has transformed significantly in the last decade with the rise of e-commerce, social commerce, and new digital platforms like TikTok.

4. Localization and customization are key advantages for local brands, allowing them to create products and campaigns tailored to specific markets.

5. Intuition backed by solid data is crucial in media buying decisions, especially for categories like CPG where e-commerce may not be as effective.

6. Digital marketing for CPG brands should focus on building brand equity and not just performance marketing.

7. Observing consumers directly is still the best way to gain insights, despite advancements in research technology.

8. Future agencies need to be open to leveraging creativity from clients, influencers, and embrace an ecosystem approach rather than being the sole creative source.

9. Successful CMOs need a balance of creativity, analytical skills, business acumen, and an entrepreneurial mindset.

10. CMOs must understand financial metrics and drive business results, not just focus on marketing outputs.

11. Entrepreneurial skills are essential for CMOs to bring new ideas, optimize processes, and drive business growth.

12. Key success metrics for CMOs include business performance, brand metrics, and creating a strong brand pull where consumers can't explain why they like the product.

13. Admired brands mentioned include Nike, Absolut Vodka, Apple, Coke, and Mayora's own Kopiko brand.

14. Innovative campaigns like Anlene's health movement and revamping the century-old Roma biscuit brand were sources of pride.

15. Advice for marketing students is to learn beyond just marketing - subjects like statistics, behavioral economics, and psychology to better understand consumers.

This episode was made possible by the great folks at MovingWalls.

Moving Walls provides a global Adtech platform built by Out-of-home advertising experts, automating the process of planning, buying, executing and measuring OOH campaigns, with a presence across four continents and seven markets.

Moving Walls processes more than 10 billion data points and measures more than 100,000 media sites across the globe. In 2017, APAC CIO Outlook listed us as one of the “10 Most Promising Digital Technology Solutions Providers”. Moving Walls is also a Tie50 winner, a listing of 50 most enterprising startups globally.

Visit www.movingwalls.com to learn more.

Holistic Living in this Stressful Modern World

Modern living has wired us to overeat when we’re stressed. Nature on one hand has designed our body to live in scarcity, but on the other hand, we are also wired to be fat. Modern living exposes us to heavy, rich and sugary foods in abundance, so we have to fight that genetic gravity to live healthy. Therefore, a holistic approach to modern living comes with lot of self discipline and that self discipline comes with emotional wellbeing. Ayurveda aids emotional wellbeing.

Balanced Diet, Balanced Life

Success without fulfilment is worse than failure.What are you striving for if you have all the money and success but poor health, what’s the point? You have all the success and money and health but if you don't have good family and friends around you because you are not an easy person to get along with….how do you then build relationships and create memories? A balanced approach to personal and professional life lies in realising just focusing on one aspect in your life is not going to give you happiness and fulfilment. Physical wellbeing must go hand in hand with emotional wellbeing.

About Dr. Vignesh Devraj

Dr. Vignesh Devraj is a fourth generation Ayurvedic healer. He is the founder and chief physician of Sitaram Beach Retreat, Kerala – a space for authentic healing and transformation.

Dr. Vignesh is a committed practitioner and researcher on Panchakarma, an ancient body purification method which activates the body’s innate healing energies, providing the foundation to true health. His expertise lies in explaining ancient healing concepts and making it more accessible to the modern world. He is an avid traveller who studies and explores the lesser known healing methods around the world. He is an international speaker on Natural Healing, Ayurveda, Meditation & Transformation.

Connect with Dr. Devraj

Connect with Swami

For Selected Links, Show Notes and more insights

This episode was made possible by the great folks at Effortless.Effortless has been designed to be user-friendly, aiding you in your journey to streamline financial tasks.

Experience the convenience of achieving e-Invoicing and E-way Bill Generation in just a couple of clicks, simplifying your business processes. Visit www.goeffortless.ai to learn more.