Today, March 8th marks International Women’s day! For the past five days, leading up to today, we have been putting up interviews with leading women of the industry regarding what women in the marketing field have to say about recent social movements like #MeToo. The #MeToo movement has been all over the media and has created quite a buzz. In this segment of ‘Beyond Pink’, we talk to Elizabeth Venkataraman, Executive Vice President, Consumer Business, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.
1. How is the #MeToo movement impacting the brands and the future of advertising?
This movement has had a large-scale impact and will surely make marketers and advertisers think about making brands change agents in the society which is already happening but now on a different scale.
2. Has the #MeToo movement in any way changed how you view things at your workplace or any changes in policies or workshops on awareness?
From the campaign, the problem is larger than one imagined, however, I’ve been fortunate to work in an organization which has a good environment for women. Like many organizations, we have policies and processes in place and continue to create awareness.
3. Has there been any other social cause or movement or maybe even a protest that created waves in your field?
I wouldn’t call it a social cause but the digital movement has impacted the banking industry and will definitely make more Indians will adopt digital banking and change the way they bank and live.
4. What advice would you give to young women who have just started their careers?
I would say pick an organization that has diversity objectives because the environment will be good to work in and many things get automatically taken care off. And draw your boundaries well, they come intuitively to most women.
5. What is your personal opinion about #MeToo?
It’s a powerful campaign which has honesty and expression for a problem most people have held in their hearts fearing all kinds of things. It also demonstrates how social media can take a problem with everywhere and create awareness and caution to all those who need it.
