Mausumi Kar
Managing Director - Motivator
Appreciating her leadership traits and effective way of piloting a prominent ad agency, CEO Insights engages in an exclusive conversation with her.
Throw some light on your professional journey and association with GroupM.
Prior to Motivator, I was heading the newly set-up independent business unit within GroupM to handle the Bharti Airtel Business. Prior to that, I was responsible to drive the Digital Partnerships and Growth for its India operations, evangelizing and developing the digital business for existing and future GroupM clients across regions and acting as Custodian of the GroupM-Google partnership with a special focus on SMBs.
My first six and half years was with Maxus, heading their North and East offices where I handled marquee clients like Google, Nokia, Hero MotoCorp, and Dabur, helping them adopt innovative media and communication solutions and win acclaimed global and Indian awards including GroupM India's first Cannes award. My earlier stint includes heading Research and Strategy for ESPN-Stars Sports,
India, and AOR Head at IPG for Maruti Suzuki.
What were the major challenges that you encountered during your journey at Motivator?
I have been a CEO for just a little over two and a half years now. When I donned the hat, I realized that it was not like any that I had worn before. The first year I learned is about not rushing in full steam, yes there are a few `burning issues' that can't wait, but one needs to absorb the whole story, understand the whole story before making any decision. I have been fortunate in my boss Sam Singh earlier and then PK who were supportive. I was lucky in the Motivator leadership as well, a bunch of very committed, passionate, and able managers. There were hiccups in the first few months, but we sailed through. The last two years, we have been building on our vision brick by brick, initiative after initiative, and finding success.
How did you overcome the hard settings of Covid-19 on business operations?
The pandemic has been a dampener, but we understand the importance of this vision and the true merit of it every day. The vision, not mine alone but a shared vision for all of us, which makes us persevere even when the going is tough. It is a beacon for all of us.
The biggest challenge for the last year has been how to keep our people safe and how to keep ourselves in a good mental space. We try to maintain human connections and try to give people the time and space that they need to stay well mentally, emotionally, and physically. It is not always easy though. Our clients have been understanding and with us during this time. Personally, for me, I have tried remaining focused on the here and the now, keeping my ears to the ground, practicing mindfulness, and most importantly be human.
What is your opinion about the opportunities for women leaders at
What were the major challenges that you encountered during your journey at Motivator?
I have been a CEO for just a little over two and a half years now. When I donned the hat, I realized that it was not like any that I had worn before. The first year I learned is about not rushing in full steam, yes there are a few `burning issues' that can't wait, but one needs to absorb the whole story, understand the whole story before making any decision. I have been fortunate in my boss Sam Singh earlier and then PK who were supportive. I was lucky in the Motivator leadership as well, a bunch of very committed, passionate, and able managers. There were hiccups in the first few months, but we sailed through. The last two years, we have been building on our vision brick by brick, initiative after initiative, and finding success.
Mausumi's initiatives in the pandemic are aimed at keeping minds agile, building skillsets for the future, healthcare support, and mental health support
How did you overcome the hard settings of Covid-19 on business operations?
The pandemic has been a dampener, but we understand the importance of this vision and the true merit of it every day. The vision, not mine alone but a shared vision for all of us, which makes us persevere even when the going is tough. It is a beacon for all of us.
The biggest challenge for the last year has been how to keep our people safe and how to keep ourselves in a good mental space. We try to maintain human connections and try to give people the time and space that they need to stay well mentally, emotionally, and physically. It is not always easy though. Our clients have been understanding and with us during this time. Personally, for me, I have tried remaining focused on the here and the now, keeping my ears to the ground, practicing mindfulness, and most importantly be human.
What is your opinion about the opportunities for women leaders at
GroupM?
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are close to my heart. I am the sponsor for the same at the GroupM Executive Committee level. As an industry advertising in general and media, in particular, has attracted women for decades.
I follow in the footsteps of many legends who have come before me. Attracting talent to the industry is not the concern area, making sure that our women talent is nurtured within the organization, keeping the work environment safe, zero-tolerance of sexual harassment at workplace, eliminating gender bias, providing equal opportunity, being sensitive to life-stage changes like motherhood, encouraging mothers to return to work, flexible work policies are some initiatives that we need to encourage more and more at all organizations, and they are not just for the advertising industry to adopt.
What are the strategies you practice to nurture the relationship between the company and its employees?
Creating a culture rooted in our vision and values takes time and the fact that we are in the middle of a pandemic is a bit of an impediment given that the vision is new. We are creating an organization where we encourage ourselves to be inquisitive and seek to create moments of magic in whatever we do.
We encourage collaboration and rejoice in shared success. We have created an inclusive environment and we celebrate our differences. We are focused on excellence and intent on action, pivoting to dynamic realities. We are vested in our clients' success and salute the entrepreneurial spirit in ourselves. Our leadership is grounded and in touch with our people and our clients. That has been our strength especially now.
Mausumi Kar, Managing Director, Motivator
Contributing to media, entertainment and advertising for 25+ years, Mausumi has crafted a reputation of leadership with result-driven tracks of clients in India and abroad. She has developed and gained team confidence with innovative practice of communications. Mausumi's expertise are in the fields of brand management, communication planning, consumer insights, ideation & execution and digital strategy development.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are close to my heart. I am the sponsor for the same at the GroupM Executive Committee level. As an industry advertising in general and media, in particular, has attracted women for decades.
I follow in the footsteps of many legends who have come before me. Attracting talent to the industry is not the concern area, making sure that our women talent is nurtured within the organization, keeping the work environment safe, zero-tolerance of sexual harassment at workplace, eliminating gender bias, providing equal opportunity, being sensitive to life-stage changes like motherhood, encouraging mothers to return to work, flexible work policies are some initiatives that we need to encourage more and more at all organizations, and they are not just for the advertising industry to adopt.
What are the strategies you practice to nurture the relationship between the company and its employees?
Creating a culture rooted in our vision and values takes time and the fact that we are in the middle of a pandemic is a bit of an impediment given that the vision is new. We are creating an organization where we encourage ourselves to be inquisitive and seek to create moments of magic in whatever we do.
We encourage collaboration and rejoice in shared success. We have created an inclusive environment and we celebrate our differences. We are focused on excellence and intent on action, pivoting to dynamic realities. We are vested in our clients' success and salute the entrepreneurial spirit in ourselves. Our leadership is grounded and in touch with our people and our clients. That has been our strength especially now.
Mausumi Kar, Managing Director, Motivator
Contributing to media, entertainment and advertising for 25+ years, Mausumi has crafted a reputation of leadership with result-driven tracks of clients in India and abroad. She has developed and gained team confidence with innovative practice of communications. Mausumi's expertise are in the fields of brand management, communication planning, consumer insights, ideation & execution and digital strategy development.