Gautham Narayanan, a seasoned veteran with over two decades of experience, has embarked on an exhilarating journey of brand transformation that spans continents, dazzling the world with compelling ideas and an illustrious client portfolio.
For the better part of his illustrious career, Gau was the driving force at BBDO, serving as the regional director for BBDO Africa and the managing director of BBDO South Africa. He didn't just stop at business conquests; Gau also invested his passion and expertise in nurturing talents within BBDO's four African offices, leaving a lasting legacy of innovation and growth.
In 2018, a thrilling chapter in Gau’s career unfolded when Wieden+Kennedy appointed him as the new managing director for its Delhi office. Returning to his roots in India after a childhood move to the UK at the age of 8, Gau found himself on familiar terrain but faced with the intriguing challenge of reconnecting with a new audience and navigating the intricate tapestry of culture and consumer behaviour.
Fast forward to the present day, Gau Narayanan has made a remarkable pivot from the world of advertising to the dynamic realm of Thirdway, the UK's number one design and build company. As the Chief Marketing Officer of Thirdway, Gau continues to script his remarkable career narrative, adding new layers of creativity and innovation to his already illustrious journey. His transformation from advertising maestro to the helm of Thirdway embodies the essence of reinvention, proving that his expertise knows no bounds.
We Discuss:
-Moving from India to the UK at age 8
-Falling in love with sports
-Working at AMV BBDO for nearly two decades
-Making a change through advertising
-Entering fatherhood
-Becoming MD at Wieden+Kennedy
-Dealing with problematic clients
-Moving back to your country of origin
-Telling your mother something life-changing
-Changing industries later in your career
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Unexpected Medical Emergency
00:04:16 - Multilingual Background
00:08:10 - Memories of Childhood in Mumbai
00:12:07 - Finding my place in school through sports
00:16:04 - A Special Agency Experience
00:20:00 - From AMV to Luna BBDO: A Journey in the Advertising Industry
00:24:12 - Using Doodles to Express Emotions
00:27:54 - The Power of Visual Campaigns
00:32:03 - Working on Global Brands
00:36:26 - Positioning for Decades
00:40:24 - The Opportunity in Africa
00:44:12 - Standing Up for Employees in the Workplace
0:47:57 - Returning to India
00:51:46 - Widen and Kennedy: A Different Approach
00:55:53 - Questioning Authority and Empowering People
01:00:01 - The Importance of Design in India
01:03:50 - Identity Confusion in a Globalized World
01:07:59 - The Application of Skill Sets
01:12:08 - Breaking the News to Mom
01:16:17 - Finding Strength and Support
01:20:16 - A Change of Career Path
01:24:27 - The Complexity of the Creative Industry
01:28:44 - Redefining the Office Space
01:32:47 - The Power of Creativity and Culture
01:36:41 - Embracing Change and Taking Leaps
01:40:40 - Embracing Diverse Thinking
01:44:43 - From Student to CMO
Watch/Listen to the How I Became Podcast:
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How I Became Podcast Episode Links:
Gau Narayanan's LinkedIn: [ Ссылка ]
Thirdway: [ Ссылка ]
Unity & Motion - [ Ссылка ] - A London-based production company specialising in commercials and branded content
Email: info@weunify.co.uk
How I Became is a UNIFY Podcast. Produced by Unity & Motion
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Credits:
Director: Charles Parkinson
Poet & VO Artist: Ashley Samuels-McKenzie
Sound Recordist: Aurelija Ausembergaite
Camera Operator: Stuart Aitken
Editor: Catherine Singh
#lifestory #lifeadvice #fatherhood #careeradvice #inspiration #inspirationalstory #podcast
