Ms.Meenakshi Madhvani,Manging Partner,Spatial Access Solutions

• Over 28 exciting years in Advertising, Marketing and Media.

The Early Years

• Started in 1980 with Lintas (now Lowe) in Account Management & Account Planning.  Handled Levers (Personal Products, Soaps and Detergents) for many years along with a host of other clients such as J&J, Diners, Lipton & Ministry of Commerce/TDA.

• Moved into Lintas Media in 1992 as head of Buying.  Won the very first AORs in India – Coke and ITC (an affiliate of BAT)

The Media Years

• Moved to Zee TV in 1994 as head of Sales & Marketing.  Was the first person who moved from a senior level in Advertising to set up the Sales and Marketing Company in India, UK and the Middle East. Developed a program classification system that is still used as the foundation for TV rate cards in India. Left as Managing Director of the Sales & Marketing Company in early 1997.

• In March 1997 joined Aegis Group Plc to set up Carat India, the first media independent in the country. Despite resistance from the Advertising Industry managed to gain a strong base and in five years grew the business to a turnover of Rs.3.5 billion rupees. Contributing one third of Asia Pacific profits!

• Set up Carat Pakistan in 2000 – working out of Dubai!

• Was Director in charge of India, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia & Strategic Tool development for the Asian region. In addition was on the APAC board.

• In March 2003, just 6 years after launch, an Industry Survey done by Brand Equity ranked Carat as the no.3 media service provider in India after Group M and Madison (Both of whom were significantly larger and had been around for years)

• Left in April 2003 to fulfill a long term desire. The desire to build a business based on principles of transparency & accountability. Something sorely lacking in the Media Industry.

The current phase ....the day job

• In October 2003 launched Spatial Access Solutions, India’s first Media Audit & Consulting firm. (www.spatialaccesssolutions.com)

• Once again a pioneering effort that went against the grain of the Industry! The company is based in Mumbai, has grown to a staff strength of 28 people and has worked with more than 100 clients across the last five years in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kolkotta and Chennai.

• Spatial Access has 3 alliances with UK headquartered global media audit & consulting firms Billetts, FLE & EMM.

• In January 2005 launched the Print Production audit division called PPM. This division works with advertisers to help them understand the Film & Print production space.

• In January 2006 launched Spatial Access Technologies, a firm specializing in Analytics with primary focus on market mix modeling for marketers. Projects have been done for clients in India, Russia, Greece, Italy, Thailand & Indonesia.

• In July 2008, launched Spatial Access Communications. (www.saac.co.in) Headed by Meenakshi Bhalla, this is  a communications consultancy that works exclusively with not-for-profits to address their communication & creative needs. Recent campaigns are for Laadli, a movement against female feticide, Wotr : Watershed management Trust and Mitra : Volunteering network.

• In May 2009 launched Quantemplate in partnership with Arpita Menon. Quantemplate uses advanced analytics to help Media owners improve their revenue realisation.  Quantemplate has already won assignments from the Times of India, Disney & Radio City.

The Other Job.....
 

• Founder of Vanashakti, an NGO working to raise awareness about the Forest Rights Act. And it’s potential fall out. (www.vanashakti.in)

• President of Conservation Action Trust (www.cat.org.in) an NGO that works on conservation projects across India

• Trustee of The Climate Project India (www.climateprojectindia.org) The Indian arm of the global organisation set up by Al Gore to fight Global warming & Climate change  

Other achievements.

• In January 2000 selected by Ad Age Global as one of the 17 women worldwide who were changing the face of advertising industry across the globe.

• In July 2003 was the first Indian Judge on the Media Lions Jury at Cannes. One of 16 heads of companies selected from across the World.

• In November 2003 was selected as one of India’s 25 Most Powerful Women in Business by Business Today.

• Have won many awards and accolades from various Industry bodies including Media Marketer of the Year, Women Achiever etc.

• Guest lecturer at leading management & marketing institutes across India

• Member of the Board of Governors of the MRUC (Media Research User’s Council)

• Considered to be The Independent Expert on the Indian Media Industry.

• Occasional writer of columns on marketing & media in diverse magazines

Education

• BA (Hons) in Sociology & Geography from Elphinstone College (Bombay University)

• Post Graduate Diploma in Advertising & Marketing from K. C. College of Management

• Advanced Management Programme at London School of Business.