In Conversation with Mahul Brahma Communications and Branding Expert

Q: From a senior editor you have become an expert on communications and branding. It must be an interesting journey. Please share with our readers.

It really was a very interesting journey indeed. I started my Corporate Communicator career as Media Advisor to Mr Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman of RP-SG Group, and as a PRO of CESC. Being the spokesperson of the power utility company and handling media from the other side of the table is a very challenging task. It was baptism by fire.

I later joined Ambuja Neotia as Head of Corporate Communications and Branding and media advisor to Mr Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman and MD of the group.

I am currently Head of Corporate Communications and Branding for a Tata Steel and SAIL joint venture, mjunction. I am the brand custodian and responsible for making the mjunction brand most admired. Being a part of Tata group has a great advantage as I get to connect with the entire Tata family including the Chairman Mr Cyrus Mistry.

In the book "Intrapreneurs@mjunction" the author has also thanked me in the acknowledgement segment for my contribution in bringing out the book.

Media has been very kind to frequently seek my opinion and thoughts as an expert in Branding and Communications in their stories.

I love sharing my ideas and thoughts on communication and branding with live audience in open forums during my speaking sessions at esteemed institutions like IIM Calcutta and industry bodies like CII and ASSOCHAM. I am also an active member of Public Relations Society of India (PRSI).

Q: You have been an accomplished journalist. Please share with us the story?

Journalism was my passion. I have been a journalist for over a decade. I have been lucky to work with some brilliant editors and journalists. I started my career with The Economic Timesin Kolkata in 2002. Then I moved to Mumbai and started working with Reuters and then joined the launch team of DNA in 2005. 

Soon after, I moved back to The Economic Times and started managing the Op-Ed page while extensively writing on entrepreneurship. I have held Senior Editorial positions in Business World magazine and CNBC TV18 Group's Newswire18.

In my last stint as a journalist, I was a Senior Editor with the India partner of the New York Times, Financial Chronicle (FC). I have written Editorials, Op-eds and on luxury extensively, I was also editor of a luxury supplement.

I am currently a columnist with The Economic Times on luxury branding. I write on the world of "luxe" and how it can be strategically marketed, positioned, branded and on its various other unknown facets.

I have also co-authored a book that was launched by Ms Jaya Bachchan in Kolkata titled "Durga: A woman of Substance".

Q: Tell us a bit of your early life and educational background.

I was born on 15th February, 1981 in Kolkata in a Brahmo family. I graduated in Economics from St Xavier's College, Calcutta and I am currently an advisor on entrepreneurship to SXC Entrepreneurship Development Cell.

I completed my Masters in Economics from University of Calcutta and I was a ranker. I am currently pursuing my PhD in Economics.