Ad Land’s Young Guns: Mrinal Chawla, Executive Producer, Supari Studio

Mrinal Chawla is a Executive Producer at Supari Studios, where he works on creating content at scale, setting up content studios for brands as well as working on digital ads and branded content IPs. At Supari, Chawla has worked with brand Flipkart extensively, creating content for all their categories – mobiles, electronic appliances, beauty, furniture, fashion, etc. – as well as has worked with fintech brand Upstox and gaming brand Krafton.

In conversation with Adgully, Mrinal Chawla, Executive Producer, Supari Studios, speaks about icons he looks up to, the most productive things that he does every day, long term career in the entertainment industry, and more.
What particular skill sets do you think you bring to the table?
I am highly driven, creative and engaged as a producer. I feel I am able to segregate and gauge the short term and long term impact of the content I work on basis the project I am engaged in.

Coming from a background in theatre and entrepreneurship, I also have the ability to work in teams and lead when required.
How did you join your current organisation?
I got a freelance gig with them through a flatmate. I joined Supari Studios right after my freelance gig ended.

Icons in this field you look up to and how they have influenced you and your work?
Ronnie Screwvala –I admire his entrepreneurial spirit and ability to always churn great content.

Suveer Bajaj – I have met him a few times, I admire his patience and leadership qualities – specifically his work with FoxyMoron and now Zoo Media.

Asad Abid – I have worked with closely with him. His ability to never give up and high ownership of projects he gets into are things I admire the most.

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

• Wake up early
• Manage and update a personal checklist for work
• Keeping team sync calls capped at 15 minutes
• Having camera on for any video meetings and ensuring high team participation
• Speaking with my parents - since I don’t live with them, this gives me a sense of mental calm, which keeps my head in the game. And who doesn’t like getting free compliments and encouragement from their mother?!

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

Yes of course, opportunities are all around us, it is up to us to seize them.
What does it take to succeed in a career?
Tenacity, patience, strong work ethics, openness to learn and as mentioned above, seizing the moment.

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

Be aggressive, assertive and believe in yourself, but don’t burn yourself out.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

Heading content at a studio or leading a tribe at Supari Studios.
Is there any organisation that you would like to work with in the future?

HBO/ Disney