Ad Landâ€™s Young Guns: Diva Daruwalla, Senior Associate, Kulfi Collective

Diva Daruwalla is currently working in the growth and business team at Kulfi Collective, a new age media network that creates differentiated, relatable and scalable video content for brands and platforms. Kulfi operates under three verticals – Supari Studios (Live action branded content), Post Office Studios (New tech media), and Keeda Media (Original content IPs). She works with the team to get new business in for the Collective.

Daruwalla had earlier worked with Red Bull, which gave her an exciting and well rounded introduction to the world of marketing, sales, events, and digital.

In conversation with Adgully, Diva Daruwalla, Senior Associate - Brand Partnerships & Strategy, Kulfi Collective, speaks about her journey with the organisation, brands that she handles, building a long-term career in marketing, icons whom she looks up to, and more.

What particular skill sets do you think you bring to the table?

I believe I bring structure to all the creativity. Working on the brand partnerships team, I am constantly interacting and coordinating with clients as well as the creative teams internally, where my people and communications skills come handy. At Kulfi, we operate under 3 distinct verticals, and being a resource that cuts across these three, I need to be aligned with what is happening company wide.

How did you join your current organisation?

I came across Supari Studios while I was working with Red Bull, as Supari had created some stellar work for Red Bull Media House at the time. After my tenure with Red Bull ended, I was looking for work in a similar space, that’s when I came across an opening online and applied.

Icons in this field you look up to and how they have influenced you and your work?

Oh, there are so many! I was lucky to have worked with a multinational company at a very young age, it exposed me to a superb network of individuals who shaped my outlook towards the world of sales and marketing.
Avinash Pant - Ex Head of Marketing at Red Bull, India (Currently working as Head of Marketing for Meta)
Avinash, being part of top level management, made it a point to interact with as many of us from the consumer collection team. He would take a keen interest in each one’s hobby and I have always had very insightful conversations with him. He is extremely disciplined, and is an avid sports enthusiast like me. I learnt from him that structure, routine and taking a genuine effort to get to likeminded people (networking) takes you a long way!

Rachit Mehra - Ex National Field Marketing Manager at Red Bull, India (Currently working as Global Brand Marketing at Red Bull HQ)
Rachit has been a superb mentor and a professional inspiration. His work ethic and love for the brand is something that is so inspiring! He has a keen eye to spot talent and build teams, and always finds creative and unique ways to integrate the brand on field.

Shirley D’costa - CBO at Kulfi Collective
Shirley is my current manager, and is extremely sharp and precise at her work. I have learnt how to take up space and deliver a point of view I have. She is strong minded and has excellent leadership qualities that I look up to.

What are the five most productive things that you do in your everyday routine?

Sports has always been a very close hobby to me, everyday in the evening I play badminton, or basketball or go for a swim – whatever the weather allows for!
Currently, I am spending a lot of time doing personal studies for further education
I spend time watching the stock market, I like to understand what is happening each day/ reading about trends
I like to believe my cat naps keep me productive
I think movies and the content in general on OTT platforms are great – period dramas, travel shows really open your mind to information in a highly receptive manner. I watch bits of TV shows almost every day

Do you think a career in this field is a viable one in the long term?

Yes for sure, I think brands are always going to be a part of our ecosystem and marketing in all forms (digital, event, on field) is here to stay for a long time!

What does it take to succeed in a career?

Genuinely enjoying the work you do, and having good people to work with.

What would be your advice to youngsters planning to enter this industry?

Figure out what you bring to the table, and take up space in the room. Take a part of your authentic personality, interests and values with you to work every day!

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

I see myself in a managerial role, leading a team in some capacity. I would like to work with a global brand.

Is there any organisation that you would like to work with in the future?

Working full-time with Red Bull is a professional dream of mine.