WOMEN'S BUSINESS FORUM
Recipe for career transitions THURSDAY 7 APRIL 2022 | 6.00 PM MMA MANAGEMENT CENTER, CHENNAI
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Chef Shri Bala CA, CS, Law, Artisan Chef
FOUNTAINHEAD OF EXCELLENCE
PROGRAMME 5:15 PM
Registration & High Tea MMA Management Center
6:00 PM
Welcome Address
Gp Capt R Vijayakumar (Retd), VSM Executive Director, Madras Management Association
Opening Remarks by the Chairperson
Ms Mythili Chandrasekar Consumer Behaviour and Brand Strategy Enthusiast
Address by the Speaker Discussion and Q&A with the Special Invitee
Chef Shri Bala CA, CS, Law, Artisan Chef
Dr Lata Rajagopalan Kumar Consultant - Communication for Development Member - IAICS
Concluding Remarks by the Chairperson 7:15 PM
Ms Mythili Chandrasekar
Vote of Thanks
Speaker
Chennai-born Shri Bala has been cooking food ever since she was nine and seeing her interest,
her
mother
suggested
her
to
pursue
her
bachelors
in
culinary
instead
of
becoming a Chartered Accountant. But, when she decided to pursue a culinary course, she realised there is no course that caters only to vegetarians. Uncomfortable with the idea of her preparing non-vegetarian food, her mother expressed her displeasure and Bala went ahead with her graduation in accounts alongside giving exams for Chartered Accountancy and Company Secretariat. She cleared both and took up a job. Over the years, her job took her across the country to audit companies and every time she would return home, there would also be lesser-known recipe accompanying her. Years later, in 2010, she also pursued a degree in law so that she can also expand her expertise and
Chef Shri Bala
can also look into the law-related aspect of the work. The job was paying well and everything was going smooth until three years ago when she lost both her parents within a year and found herself at a crossroad. In her bit to show her frustration and anger, she quit her job. Clueless about what to do next, she found solace in cooking.
Bala who soon turned into a home-chef and was being followed by some renowned chefs. She found herself in the kitchens of Trident, The Oberoi, JW Marriott and ITC group of Hotels.
Over 35 years in Consumer Behaviour and Brand Strategy. Recently retired as Senior VP and National Planning Director, J Walter Thompson, India. Currently freelance Strategy and Research Consultant.
Chairperson
Work spans cities across India, and categories ranging from talcum powder, deodorants and shampoos, through pesticides, sanitary ware and education to foods, beverages, telecom and cars. Clients include Ford, ITC, Unilever, Hero Motocorp and PepsiCo among many others.
Career Highlights: Created thinking frameworks, models and brainstorming tools in a variety of verticals: food
and
beverage,
personal
products,
education,
technology,
automotive;
new
product development, premiumisation, portfolio planning and digital strategy. Created over 80 hours of training material. Initiated and steered Coffee and Donuts with JWT Planning. Published
Mythili Chandrasekar
over
75
articles
in
leading
Indian,
US
and
UK
media.
Repository
at
www.povfromindia.blogspot.com Created Brand Chakras ™ a first-of-its-kind proprietary toolkit. Won the Patricia Mann Award for Women Marketers, UK, 2008, winning a bursary to the Executive Marketing Programme, in Stanford. Co-authored "Voices Within"(with two leading South Indian musicians) a coffee table book on the maestroes of carnatic music. Took short breaks from advertising to write for UNICEF and in dotcom
Specialties:
Brand strategy, integrated marketing communication, insight mining, socio-
cultural and ethnography research, new product development and portfolio planning, knowledge curation, content creation, writing, teaching.
EDUCATION -PhD - Communication, Dept of Mass Media & Comm. Studies, University of Madras, 2007
Special Invitee
-Research Methods, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Kolkata, 2004 -M.A. Communication, University of Madras – 1988
EXPERIENCE 2014
onwards:
Founder
–
Director,
Curious
People
(a
C4D
project)
and
free-lance
advertising/ communication consultant 2001 onwards in Academia: Guest Faculty at CEG, Anna University, Dept of Science & Tech Communication, Madras University, WCC, Loyola, NIFT and MOP colleges. Subjects: branding, communication, advertising and creative strategy 1988- 2001 Advertising industry: Worked in the creative departments of leading advertising agencies in Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi, Coimbatore & Hyderabad across leading agencies including Artig, Insight, Euro RSCG and Mudra Communications. Held leadership positions in
Dr Lata Rajagopalan Kumar
the creative depts. Handled national accounts like Henkel, Cavin Care, TI Cycles, Kurlon, ICI, Wipro, Pricol, Nalli Silks, ITC, Mysore Silks, Crocodile and HMT. Won awards at the regional and national levels for advertising creativity and brand communication.
PAPERS PUBLISHED Written and published papers in Communication, CSR & Marketing/Advertising for Development within India at national and international conferences.
OTHER INTERESTS Sports- Former ranked tennis player, represented Madras University and TN State. Won All India Inter University tournament & Bronze at the National Games. Keen interest in classical arts and reading.
CONNECT WITH US CLICK TO VIEW Email Address mma@mmachennai.org
Phone Number 044 - 28291133 / 28291166
Website www.mmachennai.org
MADRAS MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION