Ad Land’s Young Guns: Renjith Prasad Nair, Marketing Head, Donatekart

Formerly an IT Engineer, Renjith Prasad Nair decided to change paths and pursued his passion for marketing and advertising. Having worked with over 50 top brands in India since then, Nair not only has experience in media spends and social media campaigns, but also in business development, online marketing, offline marketing, communications, and brand monitoring. After his association with ad agency Gozoop, Nair now heads marketing at Donatekart, where he oversees and leads all the related activities under the same. 

In conversation with Adgully, Renjith Prasad Nair, Marketing Head, Donatekart, shares his perspective on a long term career in Marketing, scope in Digital Marketing, icons whom he looks up to, and more.

What particular skill sets do you think you bring to the table?
I believe that a combination of marketing knowledge, strategic planning and storytelling are integral to any role associated with a marketing position, and I’ve inculcated these skills over the years through my previous work experiences. Being adaptable and gauging the audience’s response also goes a long way in this ever-changing digital world. I believe these are my strongest skill sets. 

How did you join your current organisation?

I’ve always envisioned myself being a part of a start-up that not only focuses on the company’s growth, but also on creating a larger impact. This is why when I was approached for the marketing position at Donatekart, I was excited to be a part of a company that was successfully bridging the gap between its donors and partner NGOs. The co-founders, Anil Kumar Reddy, Sandeep Sharma and Sarang Bobade, had a clear vision for the company, and I knew then that this was the place for me.

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

Neil Patel and Vaibhav Sisinty – watching their journey inspires me to keep upskilling, stay up to date about the digital marketing space, and evolve in this ever-changing and competitive market. However, I’ve also been lucky to have managers and peers who have influenced me greatly throughout my career. I think there’s something to learn from everyone. 

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

1. Stay updated - I keep myself updated on the current events, news about the digital world, upskilling digital marketing techniques, and more 
2. Stay active - I’ve always been big on sports, and make sure I engage in outdoor activities like badminton, turf football, and cricket on a daily basis.  It’s what keeps me going. 
3. Maintain a work-life balance - I ensure I switch off from work once the day ends so that I’m rejuvenated and ready to go for the next workday. 
4. Read - Reading books gives me an opportunity to not only take time for myself but also broaden my horizons and gather new perspectives. 
5. Spend time with my family - This is the perfect way to end my day, by spending time with the people that mean the most to me. 

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

Undoubtedly! Marketing has grown to be one of the most important aspects of an organisation, and it will remain so in the future as well. With Covid, everything shifted online and this made digital marketing a mainstream marketing platform. Brands are constantly on the lookout for people who are innovative and can think out of the box, and digital marketing forms the core of this. 

What does it take to succeed in a career?

Digital marketing is a field where you learn something new every minute. There’s always scope for growth and it’s always evolving. So, I believe that to succeed, you need to be hungry to learn and work hard at understanding the company’s branding and its customers. Research, openness, diligence, and hard work will go a long way. This is not to say that there won’t be any moments of failure, but I think failures are also a great opportunity to learn more. What not to do is the most important lesson one can learn. 

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

Keep the fire to learn and grow burning bright. The moment you’re complacent about your position or growth, you start getting further away from achieving your goals. Always remember that if you get the opportunity then give it your all and make it count. 

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

From the moment I decided to start my career in marketing, I knew that it was going to be an unpredictable path. However, I hope to see myself one among the stakeholders of an organisation in the next five years. 

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

I’m currently a part of an organization that is on its way to becoming one of the leaders in the crowdfunding space. With more than 7 lakh donors and 150+ crore worth of products raised, Donatekart has impacted millions of lives in India. We are definitely disrupting the industry and there’s no better place for a digital marketer to be.