12 women thriving in APAC: Zenobia Pithawalla

Zenobia Pithawalla, executive creative director, Ogilvy & Mather Mumbai | INDIA

Tell us about your career path and achievements.

I joined Ogilvy and Mather, Mumbai in April 1994 as a trainee copywriter. The vacancy was in what was then known as the Promotional Campaigns Division. About three years down the line I moved into advertising. So it has now been over two decades with Ogilvy & Mather.

Key accomplishments. For someone who went to four colleges in 6 years, I would say my greatest achievement is to have stayed in one profession and one agency for over 20 years. Ogilvy & Mather does that to you.

I have been on international juries. The Cannes Lions Film jury 2016 being the most recent one. I have received the Woman Leadership Achievement award 2016 from The World Women Leadership Congress.

Who is your role model?

My role model is Piyush Pandey. Why he is my role model would require a separate article [read our interview with the Ogilvy India chairman in 2014]. For now I’ll just say: from him you don’t just learn about advertising. You learn about Life.

Do you think there’s a glass ceiling in advertising in India? 

I feel when you are in a creative business, the only thing that matters to all those you interact with for work is whether you are creative enough. A client who is putting his trust and money into an agency will only make a request for the most creative team. No client has ever called and said I want a man to lead my business. So I genuinely believe there is scope for equal growth for all. In fact, I know of a lot of women creative directors in India.

What are the sort of challenges you have faced as a woman in making it to the top of your profession?

I am happy to be a woman. In my experience, people are nicer and gentler around women.
Be it bosses, clients, etc. And I like it that way. I feel often I have done crazy stuff and got away with murder, only because I am a woman. Being a woman has not posed a challenge for me, in fact it has been a privilege.

What is your view on the assertion that women do not want management roles in advertising?

This question needs context. Every creative person’s ideal world, (be it a man or woman) is where they could keep creating without the hassle of fire fighting, dealing with problem people and people’s problems. But as one grows, this becomes a part and parcel of your job and you just do it. And get on with it.

What do you make of the claim that women aren’t as creative as men?

The good thing about creativity is you can have the best idea on one brief. But there will always be someone who’ll have a better idea on another. Allowing different people to excel at different points. So sometimes a great idea can come from a woman, another time it can come from a man. This is creativity. There are no rules.

What advice would you give to a woman who aspires to be a creative director in India?

I would like to frame this differently. My advice is for creative professionals who are starting out, doesn’t matter whether they are young women or young men. Do all the work that comes your way, happily. There are no small briefs. Treat all briefs with equal respect.
You never know which brief will get you your glory. And last, but not the least, make sure you are doing what you love to do.