Women in advertising face significant hurdles in reaching leadership: Neha Shah Majithia, Oktobuzz

Oktobuzz, founded in 2013 by Hemal and Neha Majithia, is a brand and digital solutions agency with a unique approach. Focused on creating impactful digital campaigns that drive client growth, Oktobuzz aims to be their clients’ most trusted digital companions. The agency offers high-quality services at what it calls competitive costs, with a mission rooted in the belief that ‘When the client wins, we win. When the client grows, we grow.’ Oktobuzz crafts data-backed creative solutions to foster business growth, setting them apart from other agencies in the industry.

The agency’s client list includes CNN-News18, Citi India, Amazon Audible, CNBC-TV18, Satya Paul, Hamley’s India, HarperCollins India, Westside, ACCA, Bath & Body Works, Aldo Shoes, Vithoba Health Care and author Amish Tripathi.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day MediaNews4U.com caught up with Neha Shah Majithia, Co-Founder and Chief OktoMind, OktoBuzz

Q. What strategies would work to achieve gender equality in a traditionally male-dominated industry?

It starts with intent. If the industry collectively aims for 50% diverse representation including women and LGBTQ+ individuals in leadership and key roles by a set year, we can create a tangible goal to work towards.

This isn’t just about hiring more diverse team members, it’s about ensuring they have equal access to high-impact roles, decision-making power, and career progression. Mentorship, skill-based promotions, and leadership development programmes need to be intentional, not just optional.

At OktoBuzz, our target is to reach this balance by 2027, and that means actively creating opportunities rather than waiting for change to happen organically. A level playing field isn’t just fair, it makes businesses stronger.

Q. Is there more of a focus today on creating gender-neutral campaigns?

Absolutely!, we see the power of storytelling that goes beyond gender stereotypes. People today resonate with narratives that focus on shared values and experiences. One of the best examples of this is of our BFSI client’s campaign, which beautifully convey inclusivity and diversity without boxing individuals into traditional gender roles.

Brands can communicate human stories that resonate across genders. We personally strive to focus on creating new possibilities with campaigns that celebrate individuality and break stereotypes.

Q. In the ad industry, what are the challenges encountered by women looking to advance and get to a leadership position?

Women in advertising face significant hurdles in reaching leadership. Despite making up nearly half of the media and communications workforce, they hold only 37% of leadership roles globally (Marketing Week, 2023).

In India, while women account for over 40% of the advertising industry, their representation in top positions remains low (Advertising Agencies Association of India, 2023). Career breaks due to family responsibilities often lead to unfair perceptions of diminished ambition, and unconscious biases result in fewer opportunities for high-impact roles.

That said, perspectives are shifting, and the industry is moving in a positive direction. More organisations now recognise the value of diverse leadership. Personally, I believe women bring a higher emotional intelligence (EQ), empathy, and a strong sense of accountability, all essential for leading teams, managing clients, and driving business growth.

Leadership today isn’t just about strategy, it’s about people and empathy, and that’s where women naturally excel. The real shift will happen when leadership opportunities are based on capability, not outdated assumptions.

Q. How do you use analytics to understand and support female consumers?

We take what we call a ‘data-driven empathy’ approach to decode female consumer behaviour. Beyond secondary social listening, we also conduct primary surveys to gather firsthand insights. Behavioural analytics help us understand what influences their purchases, while cohort analysis tracks long-term loyalty.

By combining sentiment tracking with direct consumer feedback, we fine-tune messaging, optimize brand touchpoints, and craft narratives that feel authentic, ensuring brands don’t just market to women but truly connect with them.

Q. How are female marketers influencing trends in AI, SEO, content marketing, and other digital channels?

From female founder-led agencies to AI pioneers like Shalini Kapoor (Chief Technologist at AWS), and top influencers like Masoom Minawala, MostlySane (Prajakta Koli), and Karishma Mehta (Founder, Humans of Bombay), women are shaping the digital marketing landscape in India.

Women dominate platforms like Instagram, with 45% of the top 1,000 influencers in India being female (The Wonk India, 2023), underscoring their pivotal role in content marketing. These examples highlight how female leaders are not just participating but leading the evolution of digital marketing, AI, and influencer-driven commerce.

Q. How do women bring in fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to traditional marketing challenges?

Men have often said that understanding a woman is a myth, but I’ve never heard a woman say the same about men or women. The emotional depth and empathy that women bring make them natural winners when it comes to fresh perspectives.

Most women I know in leadership are superwomen, balancing multiple aspects of life seamlessly. This ability to juggle responsibilities translates into exceptional problem solving skills, making them incredibly resourceful and creative. They don’t just think outside the box, they redesign the box itself to find innovative solutions, a skill that reflects in their approach to marketing and business.

Q. Are you working on Women’s Day campaigns for brands? Kindly elaborate.

Yes, at OktoBuzz, Women’s Day is not just another date on the calendar. While we will be doing the usual posts and stories for most of the brands we handle, we’re also working on two campaigns that are especially close to my heart. One is for a media brand, where we’re aiming to spark a meaningful conversation about women’s voices in society.

The other is for a BFSI client, where we’re challenging traditional narratives around women and finance. These aren’t just campaigns, they are narratives designed to inspire, engage, and hopefully, bring about a change in perspective. I’m excited to see how they resonate with the audience because they come from a place of authenticity and purpose.