Kunika Puri : Senior Brand Manager

Name: Kunika Puri

Designation: Senior Brand Manager - MAX Sun

Sign: Scorpio, 16 November 1971

Educational Experience
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature (Honours) - Delhi University

Masters of Arts - English Literature (Honours) - Delhi University

Two year full time post graduate course called Post Graduate Diploma in Advertising and Communication Management - NMIMS, Mumbai

Professional Experience
I was recruited on campus by Sony Entertainment Television Network. Have worked with SET and then launched AXN in India. Currently with MAX.

Job Profile
As a marketing professional with MAX, I am responsible for building the brand MAX in the minds of our television viewers, advertisers and trade fraternity. MAX is a 24-hour digitally encrypted Hindi movie and events channel.

I am involved in planning and executing the promotion and advertising of our channel properties like blockbuster movies and mega events like ICC Cricket tournaments, musical concerts, cricket and movie award ceremonies etc. These are exciting times with a plethora of media options for the viewer to choose from.

It is a challenge to ensure the one's brand remains at the top of people's mind. To meet this challenge there is constant work being done to ensure that we provide superior content and back it up with innovative marketing and promotional activities.

Television as career choice
After my second post graduation degree which was in advertising and communications management, it was a natural progression to enter the world of media. Television is an exciting and dynamic medium and the thrill of being able to communicate and entertain millions of viewers was the deciding factor.

Current Television scenario
I think the consumer is determined to get his money's worth. There is healthy competition with the mushrooming of television channels. We are moving from an advertiser revenue pie to the subscriber revenue pie. Programming content will grow to be more cutting edge.

Right and wrong about current Television scenario
I don't believe there is anything like right or wrong in the television industry. We are still on a learning curve as far as audiences and their interaction with the medium is concerned given that C&S is a relatively new phenomenon.

However, we need to explore sustainable ways in which we can reach out to the masses in rural areas of the country given that 70% of our nation's population lives in the interiors.

I also believe the arena of "edutainment" is underdeveloped. Even in the field of sports, I think television channels and media need to shift some focus away from cricket and build and support other sport.

Five years from now
I am certain that I would like to have International exposure in television and my passion is sports! So maybe I'll be in Europe marketing sports other than cricket!

Hobbies
Swimming and reading is foremost. I love reading fiction and travelogues. My favourite authors are Gabreil Garcia Marquez, Somerset Maugham, Steinbeck, Pico Iyer and Paul Theroux. Some of favourite books are Catcher in the Rye, Love in the Time of Cholera, 100 Days of Solitude, Razor's Edge, Of Human Bondage, The Great Indian Railway, Bazaar, The Alchemist!!!! Can go on and on...Idea of enjoyment
Partying like a maniac on weekends and spending quality quiet time with friends across the week! One quaint holiday in the year? a good movie and a rocking meal!