20th November 2024, Shailja Saraswati Varghese
‘ET Panache Woman of the Year 2024’ by the Economic Times;
‘2024 Woman Advertising Maven Award’ by Adtech Today
Shailja Saraswati is a dynamic leader in the media industry, currently serving as the Chief Content Officer at Omnicom Media Group. She has made a profound impact in her field with nearly two decades of experience across television, digital, and media. In addition to her professional role, Shailja is a seasoned mindfulness trainer and the host of the podcast “Unstoppable Woman,” a platform dedicated to empowering women and sharing impactful stories of resilience and success.
A passion for storytelling and media-fueled her journey into the content industry. Starting in television, Shailja gradually transitioned into digital media, where she continued to make significant strides. Beyond content creation, her interest in personal growth led her to mindfulness, where she now shares her insights as a trainer and motivational speaker.
In addition to her media career, Shailja is deeply committed to yoga and meditation. She believes mindfulness is a crucial tool for enhancing well-being in both personal and professional spheres. Shailja frequently conducts workshops on integrating mindfulness into daily life, sharing her learnings through her YouTube channel, where she discusses inspiring personal growth and motivation topics. Youtube/shailjasaraswati
Her success story reflects the importance of perseverance, personal growth, and a deep commitment to uplifting others. Recently, her contributions have been recognized through prestigious awards such as the ‘2024 Woman Advertising Maven Award’ by Adtech Today and the ‘ET Panache Woman of the Year 2024’ by the Economic Times. Shailja Saraswati continues to be a force of inspiration, both in the media world and beyond, using her platform to spark change and empower women everywhere.
Her success story reflects the importance of perseverance, personal growth, and a deep commitment to uplifting others. Recently, her contributions have been recognized through prestigious awards such as the ‘2024 Woman Advertising Maven Award’ by Adtech Today and the ‘ET Panache Woman of the Year 2024’ by the Economic Times. Shailja Saraswati continues to be a force of inspiration, both in the media world and beyond, using her platform to spark change and empower women everywhere.
Let’s Get Inspired
In Conversation with Shailja Saraswati
– Preeti Juneja
Q. What inspired you to launch “Unstoppable Woman”?
“Unstoppable Woman” is a collaborative platform dedicated to empowering women and sharing impactful stories of resilience and success.
My inspiration comes from my mother, mentors, and industry leaders who have championed innovation. My spiritual approach to life, combined with mindfulness and self-mastery, has been a guiding force in my personal and professional journey.
Podcast playlist on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist
Q. Every life story offers something significant. What in particular interests you and why?
Women supporting one another to create a strong network for navigating both personal and professional challenges is what interests me.
Through my podcast, Unstoppable Woman, I aim to amplify the voices of strong, determined women from diverse backgrounds, fostering a community of support and inspiration. The podcast serves as a platform for celebrating triumphs, overcoming adversity, and driving positive change.
Through this platform, ‘Unstoppable Woman’, I feel women from all walks of life come together to share stories, learn, and uplift one another.
Podcast on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist
It is also available on all other streaming platforms like Apple, audible, wynk etc
Q. It’s been an incredible year for you, with honors like the ‘2024 Woman Advertising Maven Award’ by Adtech Today; ‘ET Panache Woman of the Year 2024’. What is your message to young professionals?
My message to aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals is simple yet powerful – stay true to your passion and never give up, no matter the challenges. I believe in the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in an ever-changing industry.
Q. When and How did your spiritual journey begin?
My spiritual journey kicked off very early on in childhood, but I took notice of it during a tough time in my life. This is when I actively turned to meditation and mindfulness, which opened doors to deeper spiritual exploration. It’s been a transformative experience for over 2 decades now that’s brought me inner peace and a renewed sense of purpose. This is fundamental to who I am and where I am headed.
Q. What is the future of content marketing? What AI capabilities, tools and techniques do you use to enhance content in your professional space?
The future of content marketing looks bright, primarily due to AI advancements. I utilize AI tools like GPT-4 for efficient content creation and predictive analytics to identify trends and optimize strategies. AI also enables hyper-personalization, tailoring content to engage specific audience segments, while SEO tools help enhance reach by analyzing keywords and user behavior. Overall, integrating AI enriches the quality and effectiveness of our content, making it an exciting time in the field.
Rapid Fire
1. What are the essentials for hosting a good podcast?
To create a successful podcast, I believe it’s essential to know your purpose and target audience, which takes time to develop. Planning engaging content with high audio quality is vital, along with maintaining consistency and relevance in your episodes.
Authenticity goes a long way; being yourself helps foster a genuine connection with listeners. Additionally, seeking organic promotional strategies before diving into sponsorships can make a significant difference.
2. With the rise of video marketing, do you think long-form blogs are gradually becoming obsolete?
Regarding blogs, I see them as timeless. They not only enhance SEO but also provide detailed insights that remain valuable. The evolution of content formats tends to cycle, and I believe blogs will continue to coexist with newer media, such as video.
3. One book everyone must read?
I would recommend everyone read “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. It offers profound lessons on justice, morality, and empathy, themes that resonate strongly with us today.
One-liners
1. Storytelling is: The heartbeat of communication; it transforms facts into relatable, unforgettable experiences that resonate deeply with our audience.
2. A not-to-be-missed daily routine for mental health & wellness is: Grounding yourself in gratitude—just a few minutes each day to reflect on what you’re thankful for can shift your mindset and enhance your overall well-being.
3. A breathing technique to overcome anxiety that I swear by is: The 4-7-8 method: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, and exhale for 8. This simple practice serves as a reset button, calming the chaos and bringing focus and clarity when it’s needed most.
DREAMWEB INDIA IS GRATEFUL TO SHAILJA SARASWATI FOR HER VALUABLE TIME TO THIS REMARKABLE INTERVIEW. WE WISH HER SUCCESS IN HER FUTURE ENDEAVOURS.