Ad Land’s Young Guns: Sakshi Bhasin, Creative Lead, Supari Studios

For over the past one year, Sakshi Bhasin has worked as a Creative Lead at Supari Studios, an award-winning content studio that helps brands and platforms create relatable, scalable, and differentiated campaigns. Previously, she had worked at a boutique PR firm, following which, she joined this organisation as a Producer. She has always had an inclination towards the world of literature, arts, music and subcultures. When she isn’t struggling to catch up on her infinite watch list, she’s snacking her way through yet another ideation call.

In conversation with Adgully, Sakshi Bhasin, Creative Lead, Supari Studios, speaks about pop culture fascination, journey with Supari Studios, her success mantra, advice to youngsters and more.

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

I try to be as objective and diplomatic with my work as possible. As a creative, it’s easy to get attached to an idea, especially if it is your own, but if it doesn’t work for the brand, it just doesn’t and you have to let it go. It’s also important to know a good idea from a bad one, and how to recognise it and develop it till it reaches its full potential.

Outside of work, I’ve always found pop culture and several sub cultures fascinating. When it comes to content consumption, my interests have always been varied – ranging from anime and East Asian content to International franchise films. This helps me bring a unique perspective to the table and it doesn’t restrict my pool of references.

How did you join your current organisation?

I had originally interned at Supari Studios during my final year at college. After graduating, I worked at a PR agency for a year, following which, I got back in touch with Supari Studios and took up a freelance project as a producer. A few months and few conversations later, I joined the organisation full time.

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

There are some great people in my organisation, whose work and perspectives have inspired me tremendously. Joel Nigli, Nisha Vasudevan and Akshat Gupt are some of these folks who each have developed their own unique style and niche in storytelling, which has been very influential. In almost every interaction with them, I have managed to learn something new that has impacted the work that I do.

What are the five most productive things that you do in your everyday routine?
I don’t think I have five daily habits, but I try to spend an hour at the gym and away from any screens. It gives me time to focus on something else and the break from a screen is a welcome respite.

Consuming at least one new piece of content each day. This could be something as simple as a new song or artist or an interesting article or a latest campaign or even a feature film.

Everyone probably does this too, but planning my day and work schedule. I try to do this one night before so that I know what my agenda is for the following day.

Do you think a career in this field is a viable one in the long term?
Definitely. Even though there is this dystopian thought going around that machines will soon take over most human labour in the near future, there’s still those select few careers that need that insight and touch of humanity. The Advertising and Filmmaking industries are filled with these roles where you need that unique artistry; writers, designers, musicians, actors – roles which need that delicate balance of talent, skill and experience. Content creation and consumption has been present in our lives for centuries and is only expected to evolve further.
What does it take to succeed in a career?

It honestly depends on what success means to each individual. However, for me, it is about achieving the right balance and finding pride in the work that you do. You can’t simply put in all the hard work with no direction or doing just the bare minimum. It takes perseverance, the ability to push yourself just enough outside of your comfort zone and, of course, timing.

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

Speak up and don’t be afraid to voice your opinions. You won’t know how good or bad your idea is until someone else hears it. For most brands, their target audience is the younger demographic, so their perspectives will add value to any discussion.

Try everything at least once. It’s important to learn something new that is outside of your job profile, because you never know when it might come in handy. And you might just realise if you’re good at or actually like something else entirely.

Most importantly, the age old advice of being a sponge. Not just at the workplace, but even in social settings. Learn and observe everything around you. There’s a lot of human behaviour and insights to pick up, which could add something at your next brainstorming session.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

Hopefully, still working on projects and creating content I am proud of. The goal is to better my skills today so I can take on more challenging work in the future. It’s always about onwards and upwards.

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

No one organisation in particular, but I’m hoping to branch out and work with a global team or brand more, irrespective of where that takes me geographically.