MAM
Weekend Unwind’ with: Socxo CMO Ajit Narayan
Mumbai: With another weekend upon us, it is time to unwind with the latest Q&A edition of Indiantelevision.com’s Weekend Unwind — a series of informal chats that peek into the minds of corporate executives through a fun lens in an attempt to get to know the person behind the title a little better.
In this week’s session, advocacy marketing platform & brand advocacy solutions provider Socxo CMO Ajit Narayan opened up the windows to his thoughts. Socxo is currently planning to launch its new product, Socxly, a one-of-a-kind smart linking and affiliate marketing product suite.
Narayan runs everything’s marketing at Socxo. He built the entire brand framework: visual identity, visibility, demand generation, and the rest of the marketing playbook.
With over two decades of experience in the marketing services, technology, and advertising industries, Narayan has extensive experience in brand, CRM, and experiential marketing at companies such as OgilvyOne Worldwide, Wunderman and Bates CHI, and Sercon. He understands the practical and implementation aspects as well as the big picture, strategy, and ideas.
He enjoys experimenting with new ideas. His belief that ideas are what make life interesting and engaging stems not only from his own but also from strong collaborations and teamwork, as well as from inspiring his team and others around him.
Narayan has a bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Calcutta. He is also a Google Adwords, Mobile, and Search certified professional.
He began his career in traditional marketing and has a thorough understanding of what distinguishes brands, in addition to hands-on experience with digital branding, performance marketing, social media, and analytics.
He built integrated communications tools and strategies around B2B and B2C marketing communications at Bates CHI and Sercon, and many of the projects resulted in campaigns that won various international awards such as the PMAA-Dragons of Asia awards, DMA Awards, B2B Marketing (UK), and so on.
So without further ado, here it goes…
- Your mantra for life
“Life is Hard. Get used to it.”
- A book you are currently reading/plan to read
None. I don’t read books too frequently.
- Your fitness mantra, especially during the pandemic
Your dog is your best friend. He makes sure you get your backside moving and it is fun. Play with him. A couple of hours on the trail is always a weekend away.
- Your comfort food
Sambar rice and poriyal. Also, daal chawal and aloo ki sabzi.
- When the chips are down a quote/philosophy that keeps you going
Either of the two. Depending on mood.
1. Keep your head down and ignore the noise. Work away at your skills.
2. Even this will pass. So, chill.
- Your guilty pleasure
Rumali roti, galouti kebab, and dal makhni (provided it is well made).
- A life lesson you learnt the hard way
Extremes of wealth (bankruptcy or opulence) are harmful to one’s health. I have been through the former. On the latter, I have a deep realisation of what’s enough for me. I wouldn’t know what to do with it.
- What gets you excited about life?
New adventures, new things to do. Or there are times when nothing to do is exciting.
- What’s on top of your bucket list?
Where is the bucket?
- If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Be wise with your money. Otherwise, you will become poor at the benefit of your so-called friends.
- One thing you would most like to change about the world
The level of fakery surrounding us is so high that a couple of hundred notches lower would be better.
- An activity that keeps you motivated/charged during tough times
Three things: playing the bass guitar; playing with my dog; and taking a long bike ride.
- What lifts your spirits when life gets you down?
Any one of the three above.
- Your go-to stress buster
Old Monk.
Brands
Burda Media sells BurdaLuxury to Jaipur Capital in Southeast Asia push
Deal hands regional media portfolio to Singapore investor eyeing luxury growth
MUMBAI: Burda Media has agreed to sell its Southeast Asia-focused business, BurdaLuxury, to Jaipur Capital, marking a strategic shift for both companies as they double down on their respective growth priorities.
The deal will see Jaipur Capital acquire BurdaLuxury’s media operations across Thailand, India, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. The portfolio spans content marketing and media brands in travel, luxury and aviation, giving the investor a ready-made regional footprint and a sizeable audience base.
Jaipur Capital plans to build on this foundation to create a premium media network in Southeast Asia, blending high-end editorial with scalable digital platforms. As part of the transaction, all BurdaLuxury employees, including its management team, will move to the new owner, ensuring continuity as the business enters its next phase.
For Burda Media, the sale is part of a broader strategy to sharpen its focus on core European markets while scaling investments in digital-first opportunities. The company will, however, maintain its interest in the region through Burda Principal Investments, its global growth capital arm.
“This transaction reflects our commitment to sharpening our international focus while ensuring that BurdaLuxury continues to thrive in Southeast Asia,” said Burda Media CEO Jan Wachtel, adding that Jaipur Capital recognises the strength of the brands and teams involved.
Jaipur Capital, meanwhile, is betting big on the region’s appetite for premium content. “This acquisition significantly strengthens our premium content ecosystem,” said Jaipur Capital director Vikas Johari. He highlighted the business’s strong digital tilt, with 46 per cent of revenues coming from online channels, alongside a diversified presence across five markets.
The numbers tell a compelling story. BurdaLuxury clocks 48 million annual page views and reaches more than 40 million followers on social media, with no single market contributing over a quarter of total revenues. Jaipur Capital now aims to expand these brands further into Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, while also exploring opportunities in the Middle East, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
With this deal, Burda Media trims its global footprint to focus on depth over breadth, while Jaipur Capital steps onto a bigger stage in the premium content space. If execution matches ambition, this could be a defining chapter for luxury media in the region.
