Senior VP Nita Kapoor quits Mudra, Delhi

Nita Kapoor, senior vice-president at Mudra Communications' Delhi office, has put in her papers, drawing to a close her 15-year stint at the agency. Kapoor's last day at Mudra was January 31, 2002. She moves to Godfrey Philips India (GPI) as director - marketing, and is set to assume office from February 15, 2002. At GPI, Kapoor would be in charge of the complete brand management of GPI's existing brands (Four Square, Red & White and Cavenders), apart from charting a course for new brand launches.

For Kapoor, leaving Mudra is almost like cutting the umbilical cord. It was in the year 1986 that Kapoor - all of 22 years, and still in the third year of graduation (Gujarat University) - first walked into the Ahmedabad office of Mudra Communications. Having joined Mudra, Ahemdabad, as management trainee, she worked there for two years, before moving to Mudra, Delhi, as senior account executive, client servicing. Since then, she has risen steadily up the ranks, and was promoted as senior vice-president - and the number two to Hemant Mishra (executive vice-president) at Mudra, Delhi - following the departure of Samit Sinha (ex-COO, Mudra) in August last.

So was quitting Mudra a hard decision to take? "Yes, and no," replies the bubbly Kapoor. "I have had a fabulous time at Mudra. I was literally the proverbial ‘spoilt girl'. The agency was very supportive, and gave me the freedom to be me. And that gave me tremendous experience. But I started feeling the need to scale more heights from the other side of the hill. So, after deliberating and introspecting for about 12-to-14 months, I decided that if I have to work for another decade, I have to move on from communications to marketing operations - to complete the spectrum." Incidentally, it was GPI that made her the offer of heading the marketing department. And Kapoor admits that she was pleasantly surprised, "considering that this industry is male dominated".

Kapoor takes fond memories of Mudra with her. "Having worked on almost all categories, the agency has given me a lot exposure," she says. Fortune Gold, Polo, Business Standard, Dabur, Samsung (IT business), Hindustan Motors' Lancer, IFB and Nestle are among the brands she has worked on. However, her longest association has been with Nestle, for 10 years. "We launched Milo and Nestle milk. It was fun." She reminiscences about her work on the Dabur brands too. "Ever since we made inroads in Dabur - that is, about five to six years now - I have worked on Lal Dant Manjan, Hajmola, Pudin Hara… Mudra Delhi and I have grown together."

Any regrets? Well, a small one, really. "I have worked on almost all categories, except tobacco," she laughs. "And I think I am going to have my fill now."

Mudra's Delhi office has, in the last six months, witnessed the departure of three very senior and talented people - Sinha, and the creative duo Freddy Birdy and Naved Akhtar. Does Kapoor's decision have anything to do this? And what about those so-called ‘problems' at Mudra, Delhi? "Of course there is no problem with Mudra," Kapoor replies sharply. "The Delhi branch is extremely solid. All those who left, left for individual reasons."

One last question that we couldn't resist. Now that she is on the client's side of the table, is she considering a change in the GPI agency roster? "No," comes the reply amid peals of laughter. "Currently, I am happy with all the four agencies (Rediffusion, McCann-Erickson, Everest and O&M). They are doing a damn good job. Of course, if there's a need, who knows… As of now, I will go with the flow." © 2002 agencyfaqs!