MAM
Marketing whiz Shunu Sen no more
MUMBAI: Corporate India is that much poorer today with the passing away of ace marketer Shunu Sen. The CEO of marketing consultancy Quadra Advisory passed away early this morning (3 January) following heart failure. Sen has been a guiding hand to many a senior marketing and sales professional during his 35-year plus career.
Born in 1940, Sen started his career as a management trainee in 1960 with Hindustan Lever when the concept of professional marketing was still new to India. Shunu, as he was known to all, handled assignments of various products like detergents, personal products and foods. He later graduated to become the Head of the Personal Products business and Marketing Director-Detergents. He was responsible for the legendary Lalitaji and Liril advertising campaigns.
In 1990, he was appointed vice-chairman – Lipton India. His last assignment with Hindustan Lever was as group marketing advisor for the Unilever Group of Companies in India. Later, he did an international assignment for Unilever plc., London.
Subsequent to his retirement from Hindustan Lever, he worked as president, marketing services, RPG Enterprises and group marketing advisor.
In 1998, Shunu set up Quadra Advisory in partnership with advertising professional Suhel Seth and one of the world’s largest ad and marketing conglomerates WPP Group to provide consultancy in marketing and sales in the areas of marketing strategy, distribution and sales, branding and positioning and marketing training. Speaking to agencyfaqs.com a couple of years ago, he had said he had done this reluctantly: “I had taken retirement and I just wanted to sit at home, read books and listen to music. But Sir Sorrel got me quite interested and so I decided to invest in it. Both Suhel and I also invested as original investors,” he had said.
But there was no looking back after that. Some of the clients he consulted include: Reckitt & Colman, Dabur, Wrigley’s, Kimberly Clark, Henkel, Ranbaxy, Parle Agro, Rasna, AP Diary, TetraPak, Royal, Enfield, Eicher Tractors, JK Tyres, Castrol, HPCL, Philips Domestic Appliances, Godrej GE, Borosil, Usha International, Baron Electronics, ICI, Max Health Care, Sun F&C, Lifespring, Nirulas, CII, Indbazaar.com, Gottaswitch.com, shaadionline.com, everythingaboutwater.com.
And even the government. When the information and broadcasting ministry wanted to inject some marketing savvy into its moribund DD and All India Radio it turned to Shunu. He was appointed chairman of a high power committee recommend the best practices in the marketing of airtime.
Sen was also a member and officer bearer of various professional institutions such as Advertising Club-Bombay, ABC, ISA, AND MRSI.
For Sen’s views on the history of branding, click here
Can ‘Made in India’ become a brand?
For a Shunu Sen interview with ‘The Week’ which appeared in www.agencyfaqs.com in October 2001, click here
“Companies often do not have a consumer focus”
To view the website of Quadra Advisory, click here http://www.quadraadvisory.com/index.htm
Brands
Safex Group appoints Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer
Former Standard Chartered executive to steer finance
NEW DELHI: Safex Chemicals has appointed Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer, strengthening its leadership team as the company prepares for the next phase of expansion in specialty chemicals and global agrochemicals.
In her new role, Malhotra will lead the group’s financial strategy, capital architecture and governance framework as Safex scales operations across multiple verticals including branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing.
A chartered accountant and graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, Malhotra brings more than two decades of experience in business finance, strategic planning, corporate banking and client management.
Before joining Safex, she served as executive director, financial markets at Standard Chartered, where she led teams across India and Sri Lanka and worked closely with large corporates, global subsidiaries and commercial banking clients. Her expertise includes capital structuring, treasury operations, risk management and financial markets led financing solutions.
Safex Group promoter director and joint managing director Piyush Jindal, said the appointment comes at a pivotal time for the company. “Safex stands at an inflection point as we build an integrated platform across branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing. Richa’s experience across global financial institutions will strengthen our financial discipline and help unlock value across the group,” he said.
Malhotra said she was looking forward to contributing to the company’s next chapter of growth. “Safex has built a strong reputation over 35 years with its focus on integrity, innovation and agricultural insight. I am excited to be part of the organisation as it expands its footprint in India and global markets,” she said.
The appointment comes as Safex continues to strengthen its financial foundations and scale operations internationally, positioning itself for future growth milestones.
