Suggestions
Sakket Rao
Head of Brand at Pristyn Care - - Building the most preferred brand for Short Stay Surgeries
Professional Background
Sakket Rao is a dedicated and seasoned marketing expert with a pronounced customer-centric approach, specializing in driving growth for businesses and brands. Over the course of his extensive career, Sakket has collaborated with CEOs, founders, investors, and board members, leveraging innovative marketing methods to bolster brand awareness and improve sales processes. His mission is to influence market leadership positioning dramatically, all while ensuring a healthy return on marketing investments, particularly in terms of Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). Sakket is known for assembling highly capable teams that enrich the brand and its visibility, ensuring its resonance in the competitive landscape.
Sakket's impressive career spans various roles from co-founding a small design firm to managing marketing initiatives for significant brands like MasterCard, valued at approximately $4.7bn in 2014. He has successfully launched, scaled, and nurtured both startups and well-established brands across South Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Through his roles at prestigious organizations such as Housing.com, Barclays, and Ben Franklin Opticians, Sakket has introduced transformative processes leading to greater collaboration, transparency, and synchronization across teamsโa testament to his commitment to efficiency and effectiveness in marketing strategy.
Education and Achievements
Sakket Rao's educational foundation is robust, featuring an array of prestigious qualifications from renowned institutions. He is an alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School, having completed the Accelerated Development Program in Marketing and Management. He further honed his business acumen with a Post Graduate in Advertising and Marketing from the Xavier Institute of Communication and an Executive Program in Global Business Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.
Sakket's academic journey began at the University of Mumbai where he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing with First Class Honors. He also holds a Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Digital Marketing Institute, showcasing his commitment to staying ahead in the ever-evolving field of digital and social media marketing.
Notable Achievements
Throughout his impressive career, Sakket has accomplished a multitude of significant milestones that highlight his capability and impact in the marketing sector:
- Spearheaded the expansion of Ben Franklin, adding 300 stores over a span of three years across 200+ cities and 23 states and union territories.
- Played a pivotal role in tripling web traffic to Housing.com from 4 million to 12 million while also being instrumental in achieving 2 million app downloads, contributing to the platform's recognition as the 6th most influential brand in India, as ranked by LinkedIn.
- His innovative campaigns have consistently been recognized, with one of Housing.com's campaigns earning a spot among Social Samosa's Top 50 Social Media Campaigns of 2015.
- Sakket's leadership at MasterCard involved managing brand strategies for South Asia, collaborating with high-profile partners such as the Mumbai Indians, UEFA, and the Grammys. His work encompassed various programs, including Airport Lounge, Golf, and Dining Delights, which solidified MasterCard's influence in the region.
- Recognized as one of the Most Influential Global Marketing Leaders in 2019, 2017, and 2014, affirming his status as a thought leader in the marketing domain.
Organizations
Sakket Rao's career trajectory reflects a profound association with various influential organizations, taking on roles that underscore his expertise in brand strategy and marketing:
- As the Head of Brand at Pristyn Care, he oversees brand management and marketing strategies, positioning the company for growth and industry recognition.
- His former position as Vice President Marketing at Oxfordcaps had him leading brand initiatives, contributing to innovative residential solutions.
- At Ben Franklin, Indiaโs Largest Optical Chain, he served as Chief Marketing Officer, demonstrating his proficiency in managing vast marketing operations and achieving quantifiable results.
- While leading brand strategies at Housing.com as Vice President and Head of Brand Marketing, he achieved remarkable growth metrics that elevated the company's market presence.
- His tenure as Brand Leader at MasterCard involved steering brand initiatives across several South Asian markets, showcasing his ability to adapt strategies to diverse cultural contexts.
- Prior to taking on significant leadership roles, Sakket gained valuable experience at global advertising agencies like Ogilvy & Mather and Publicis, developing a strong foundation in client services and creative communications.
Conclusion
Sakket Rao's career reflects a blend of strategic foresight, creative marketing, and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. His extensive background and notable achievements illustrate his capability to not only envision marketing strategies but also bring them to fruition through effective execution. With a focus on growth and innovation, Sakket continues to make significant contributions to the marketing landscape, proving indispensable in fostering brand excellence and achieving measurable results.
