I have seen and watched Saraswathi Anand grow from an enthusiastic Brand Manager, back in 2009 when we first interacted to today, when she leads Marketing for the Language cluster at Network18.
I used to head Brand and Corporate Strategy at Bangalore Mirror and Vijay Karnataka, Bangalore while she worked at Radio Mirchi heading the Brand function and we used to interact quite a bit on joint consumer promotions. Our roles have grown over the years, she later joined us and we became colleagues at Vijaya Karnataka, she managing Brand, while I moved on to head the Revenue function, nationally.
I am fortunate to know Saras quite well first as a colleague and got some insights into her personal side as well. Quite intelligent, bold, tons of energy with an infectious laugh is on top of my mind when I think of her. Her quick sense of humour and positive energy used to be infectious at work. She is a wonderful human being and has great business acumen. These qualities have not only endeared her to many people, but helped her to grow as a manager and emerged as a leader over the past decade or so. I don’t work with her now, but have friends and ex-colleagues in her current company who tell me that she shows the same zealousness, passion for the brands that she works on and accompanied by her trademark enthusiasm & positive attitude. Interestingly, I have also seen her family grow, and how she balances work & being a mother to twin girls is really admirable.
We worked together in Vijaya Karnataka, creating many properties, and campaigns that established the newspaper as the leading publication in a very competitive market. We worked on new products, re-designing the newspaper, and multiple initiatives that were made easy with her ability to get everyone along and work towards a common goal. Working in regional media, usually dominated by male colleagues, she has been able to carve a space, based on her strong work ethics and the expertise she brings to the table.
She also has grown to be an empathetic team lead and works with her team equipping them for their roles and guiding them. She has taken on more challenging roles at Zee, and then at News18.
Not just living her full with a wholesome media career, and being a mother two feisty twin girls, Saraswathi also embarked on a fitness journey, winning accolades on the way. She has inspired many professionals to take fitness and to accommodate a routine amidst their busy schedules. Every time, we engage, she comes across with a vivacity that does not dim, her passion for her job, kids & life.
Winning awards professionally and with her sport, she is a leader, unafraid, bold & full of energy. Wishing her all the very best in all her endeavours!
Saraswathi Anand is Asst Vice President – Network18. The author, Sundar Kondur is a media veteran and is currently Sr Vice President & Regional Head – South at Times of India Group.
