afaqs! Pause - Pooja Baid, chief marketing officer, Versuni

Pooja Baid, Chief Marketing Officer, Versuni

Pooja Baid is a dynamic business leader who brings over a decade of business and marketing expertise to her role as chief marketing officer of Versuni. Here’s a little sneak peek into her workday, leadership mantra, and advice to young professionals.

The best part of my job is

I thrive on experimenting across multiple dimensions, finding that creativity enhances every aspect of my work. Whether exploring innovative routes, diverse media choices, strategic partnerships, or groundbreaking innovations, I believe in pushing boundaries to create genuine business impact.

My leadership mantra

Lead by example. In today’s world, inspiring Gen Z—who now make up a significant part of our teams—can be challenging. The best way to lead them is by demonstrating how things are done and showing the impact it creates. Once they are convinced, you won't find better teammates!

My role model

My mentor for the longest time, Gulbahar Taurani (MD & CEO of Versuni India) has been a profound influence on me. Much of what I know today comes from observing and imitating him. Over the years, I’ve developed my own style, but his ability to see the big picture while also rolling up his sleeves and getting things done continues to inspire me.

My advice to young professionals

Be willing to make choices. There’s no such thing as ‘having it all’—everyone has the same 24 hours in a day. To get ahead, you must prioritise and invest more in some areas, inevitably sacrificing others. This balance is key to achieving success and making a meaningful impact.

Planning my next holiday to

New Zealand has been on my bucket list for a while, and I’m eager to experience all the adventure sports it offers before I lose the thrill for it!

A recent ad campaign I liked

The recent campaign from my former brand, Thums Up, is truly captivating and gives me goosebumps. It’s so simple, yet incredibly powerful and true to the brand. Another campaign that I really fell in love with is Your Freedom is Not Free by Hero MotoCorp. Both are excellent examples of impactful and memorable advertising.