Cinderella turns CEO! Ranchi girl shines in advertising world

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Cinderella turns CEO! Ranchi girl shines in advertising world

Saturday, 22 September 2018 | Aditi Singh

This isn’t a fairytale. A real life story where the princess doesn’t need glass slippers to become the empress. All she needs is her zeal to conquer wherever she goes. Vaishali Verma from Ranchi is one such empress that is turning heads in the big leagues. She’s here to mark her name a CEO of Initiative, a legacy brand of Lintas and Co.  Where did this ambitious journey begin? We are about to unfold her secrets of success.

The proud Ranchiite started her education at the Bishop Wescott School for girls and then moved on to DAV Shyamali for her intermediate studies. Having been in Ranchi was almost 18 years, Vaishali moved to Delhi for her graduation. What happened next changed her life completely.

Almost two decades ago when students were opting for conventional career choices, Vaishali did something rather unusual. She informed her father that she was opting for a 6 months course in media studies, at the new founded Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad (MICA). Hence, the quest began. Had she always known that Media marketing was her cup of coffee?

Vaishali chuckles and replies, “I had no idea what I was getting into. I was about to pursue MBA but came across this course in MICA. When I enrolled in the institution, there was no going back. I fell in love with the field and the scope that it had in the future. You see, entertainment, media and market won’t ever be redundant in its growth. I realized this while studying in MICA.’’

Vaishali’s father Vijay Verma who is an architect based in Ranchi with his firm Verma Associates, was as clueless as her when it came to her career choice.  Verma says, “I received a call from her saying that she wants to try this new course in MICA. I was of the impression that she was going to prepare for UPSC. Nonetheless, I had blind faith in her that she’ll succeed in any field.’’

Our small city girl from Ranchi was unstoppable when she set foot in the media industry. Her passion for her work took her places where she broke the glass ceiling. After completing her course in MICA she went on and joined their media marketing agency, Mudra Communications Limited (Now known as DDB Mudra Group) in 1995 which is one of the first integrated marketing agencies in India. She then later on joined McCann global advertising agency which comes under the bracket of IPG mega brand organization, back in 1997 as a senior media planner, dealing with brands like General Motors, Gillette etc.  In 2002, Vaishali joined the Lodestar UM group as a General Manager.

Vaishali Verma’s list of achievements followed her where she went on to become the CEO of the renowned IPG mandate brand, Initiative this year. Having been in the industry for more than twenty years what is the one thing that kept her going? Vaishali vehemently responds, “I’m so passionate about my work since I get to study consumer behavior. Its intrigues me as to how people’s psyche function when it comes to brands and what should I do in order to create ripples in the market. I never get bored because I get to interact with clients across the globe and help them in building their brands. The market is as booming as it can ever be.’’

Like any other journey that has glory attached to it, Vaishali Verma faced her own set of difficulties along the way. Sharing one of her family anecdotes she adds,” My grandfather didn’t understand my profession till the time he was alive. He used to ask me about it every year when I went to visit him. Some of my relatives thought that I make advertisements.” Stressing on the importance of family support  Naintara Verma, Vaishali’s mother believes that in today’s era of unlimited career options it is equally important for parents to pay heed to their children’s interests and let them blossom in their own fields. Naintara Verma adds, “It’s my hobby to teach people of any age and I love educating them.

Likewise everyone should take their passion seriously. Vaishali has this trait of giving her hundred percent when it came to what she loves. When she informed me that she became the CEO of such a huge brand, I was over the moon. I’m so proud of her.’’

Our real life Cinderella has found the personal equilibrium between work and home. She manages to nurture two kids, Suhaani and Aashna who are on the brink of reaching their teens, while running 6 to 7 offices of Initiative in our country. How does she manage to multitask? Vaishali believes that multitasking comes naturally to women and moreover having a family that supports your dreams is equally important. Vaishali adds, “My husband, Mr. Ameen Haque who is the founder of a story telling company, Storywallahs and my sister, Chaitali who works for the same company are my biggest supporters. I’m blessed to have such a supportive family.’’

What’s next for the empress? Well, she’s planning to increase the working staff and the analytics team of Initiative. When asked whether she plans to extend her business to Ranchi she replies that the 6 to 7 offices of Initiative located in places like Delhi, Chennai, Bombay, Kolkata are able enough to handle clients from anywhere across the country.

Being away from her hometown since she was 18 hasn’t affected Vaishali’s love for Ranchi at all.Describing her love for Ranchi Vaishali states, “Ranchi has a special place in my heart and I keep going back to it every year. I love visiting pandals during Durga Puja and Dusshera, and keep on sharing it with my Bishop friends.’’

The proud Ranchiite believes in the phrase, ‘Talent is overrated and Success is underrated’. She wants aspiring media students and anyone who wants to follow their dreams that hard work can make the impossible possible. In the era of Google where millennial obtain results within a second on the screen, Vaishali demands patience and perseverance for those who want to make it.

Alas, we all know that there is no shortcut to success. Glory lies in encountering every difficulty along the way. So take reins of your life and make the glory yours

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