Full Name : Siddharth Banerjee    
Hometown : Lucknow, India - the city of culture, mouthwatering kebabs & chikan artistry
Marital Status :  Married to my college sweetheart, Eika
Birthday : 13th June- as a Gemini, I can really multi-task
Idols : Leonardo Da Vinci, Sherlock Holmes, Satyajit Ray, Craig Venter, Phil Knight
Passions : Reading, writing, running (not all at the same time though)
Favourite Colour : Green
 

How has it been working with Unilever?
It has been a fantastic journey with Unilever with a unique set of work and life experiences since Unilever has given me the opportunity to have done diverse jobs (Sales / Marketing / Strategy ) based in different countries – India, Singapore, the UK and now Sri Lanka.

How has it been working with Unilever in Sri Lanka?
Unilever Sri Lanka is a great organisation with much loved brands and a talented bunch of people. So it has been a privilege to work in this institution and help craft world-class initiatives for our consumers.

Who has influenced you the most?
On a daily basis, it would be the values, the work and the people at Unilever – it’s about purpose, passion and  performance – I am inspired every day.

How have you enjoyed this country?
I am fully immersed in this lovely country and enjoying it thoroughly – everyday, am humbled by the grace and beauty of Sri Lanka.

What do you feel is the biggest challenge for Sri Lanka in 2015?
The opportunities are bigger than any challenges - and the opportunities are all there - Carpe Diem (seize the day)

How do you feel Sri Lankans adapt to new brands?
There’s a mix of loyalists and younger, experimentative consumers who are actively trying out new brands esp. in beauty.

How was it to win Effies 2014 - Marketer Of The Year?
Exceptional. Energised. Elated. One can only win this title with a substantive body of work and I am happy that consumers across the nation are loving many of our brand campaigns & I am happy that we have first-class agency partners.

What qualities do you look for in the people you hang out with?
Creativity. Curiosity. Intelligence. Humour. Open-mindedness.
In summary, I hang out with all kinds of people – that’s what keeps me ticking on ideas.

How would you describe your personal style?
Keep it simple

How do you give credit where credit is due?
Celebrate it- tell it aloud – say it then and there.

Why do you do what you do?
I’d like to make a difference – however small or big – and what I do, allows me to do that, on a daily basis.

 

If

If you wanted to find the second best answer to a question or problem, what technique would you use?
I use brainstorming techniques a lot. I listen in to ideas from my teams and partners and always have more than one option. But second best is not an option.

If you wanted to create an environment where motivation can thrive, what’s the first thing you would do?
People love to give it their best when they own the agenda. So, help co-create the plans and let the team get on with it.

If you wanted to encourage innovative ideas, how would you go about it?
Inspire with possibilities and challenge myself and the team to be the best we can be.

 

For FUN


Go to a play or musical?
A play with my wife (we really enjoyed The Phantom Of The Opera last year at Lionel Wendt)

Go to the theatre or a movie?
Movies – I am a Bollywood fan.

Hike or bike?
Run.

Crash with friends or stay in a hotel?
Crash with friends – enough hotel stays on work.

Jeans or Formals?
Jeans. Always. Hate neck-ties.

Travel by plane or train?
Flights now. Best childhood memories are all train-rides.

Watch TV or read a book?
Devour books.

Use Facebook or Twitter?  
Facebook & some Instagram (am a very photos person).


 

In the SPOT

Colombo Society?  
Should try out our newly launched “Ponds BB Cream”

Colombo Fashion week?
Gets interesting every year. More inspirations to Ajai.

Sri Lankan beauty queens?
They all love you, Danu.

Digital Sri Lanka?
With 100% mobile connectivity and 4G etc, we have fabulous telecom infrastructure in Sri Lanka – we are doing some very interesting work in this area in 2015.