This Women’s day Medianews4u.com is acknowledging some women leaders of the Media, Marketing, and Advertising fraternity who have given more than expected.
Presenting to you Women Leaders from Httpool APAC, who share their experiences of breaking the gender stereotypes and how they continue to inspire many other women who are true leaders in the making.
Meera Muhunthan: Managing Director, Httpool Malaysia
Journey:
My true permanent career journey began in 2005, while I was still pursuing my Diploma in Multimedia & Production Technology (Broadcasting). I was given the opportunity to be part of a pioneer team of the country’s leading Online News Publication, Malaysiakini. With great mentors by my side, I climbed the success ladder pretty quickly from being a hybrid between managing subscriptions and end-to-end advertising management (single-handedly). This was when Banner Ads and Rich Media Ads were newly introduced and were a ‘Cool’ thing. Within 3 years, I led a team of 5 as Group Head of Advertising. With that came many other opportunities, such as being the pioneer member and appointed Treasurer of the Malaysian Digital Association representing the company I worked with and, eight years later, a chance to start my venture within the same industry among the many. After gaining the experience of managing something of my own, great partnerships, and meeting people for about 12 years in total, I moved on to a Global Media Agency where I had the opportunity of overseeing more than 10 global and local brand accounts as a Digital Strategist. The experience of managing such varied accounts and clients from luxury retail, beauty/health, apparels to automobile, entertainment helped me get to where I am today in Httpool. The opportunity with Httpool was something I had least expected, but I could not have asked for anything better. My journey which started 3.5 years ago with this company has been nothing but enriching and exciting.
Inspiring Women:
I guess it was a myriad of adverse experiences during my childhood that inspired me to grow up to become a strong and independent woman. Take risks, be an entrepreneur in my career, embrace the excellent & challenging parts of my life, and then use it to fuel my advocation of essential issues. My message to women co-workers is to do everything with passion, take every challenge in your stride, stand-up for what you believe in, embrace growth and change, mentor and inspire others, and not take ourselves too seriously. Do what comes naturally. Most importantly, have fun while you do all of this!
Empowering Women:
It’s taken a little bit of “Girl Power” to push them up the ladder, helping them to acknowledge and know their worth.
Archana Roche Facebook Measurement Lead, Httpool APAC
Journey:
Studying marketing widened my perspectives and introduced me to new retail, telecom, and luxury hospitality marketing concepts and concepts. Through the years, I have added these learnings and relied on them to rebuild my career. Hitting a pause on a career is no easy task, but I trained hard and learned new skills. I chose not to play catch up in an old game; instead, I decided to play a new game. When digital was perceived as a niche area, pursuing training and seeking a role in it was the best decision in hindsight.
I now use a combination of my old skills and new learning’s in brand strategy and digital to create opportunities for brands and platforms to come together in ways that were thought of as difficult.
Inspiring Women:
At a very young age, I met the most impressive personality ever; she was my friend’s grandmother. Then, she would have been in her late 50’s, but what an aura she had, the poise and grace with which she carried herself. As I became acquainted with her through the years, I learned new aspects about her. That is the 1930’s she had completed a Master’s in English Literature, studied the Suffragette movement, participated in the freedom struggle, chosen a career in teaching, and so much more.
I have been inspired by many such women all around me, who had much self-belief and conviction, and a drive to reach a goal. It is the inspiration of their actions, despite having limited avenues, that drives me to achieve so much more.
There has never been a time like now in any generation before this – when there has been so much empowerment and encouragement for girls to choose a career path, any career path. Be it Science and Technology, Space exploration, Music and the Performing Arts, or any other field for that matter.
In business, women have become CFO’s, COO’s and CEO’s of Fortune 500 companies, startups, unicorns, and one a billionaire after launching a successful IPO. Women haven’t let childbirth come in the way of a sports career or public office.
In public life, from New Zealand to Kerala, to Finland, and even in Soda, Rajasthan, women show how to handle civic issues and crises, especially health, or how “Perseverance” can take you to new planets. The IMF, the WTO, and the World Bank are all led by women.
I would ask every woman to fearlessly choose a career that you firmly believe in and stay focused and curious because it will shape her journey uniquely.
Empowering Women:
Our team members, irrespective of gender, are all empowered. However, not everyone comes from a similar learning and cultural background; hence, I actively encourage sharing learnings and best practices and their adoption, enabling their learning and development.
