Soma Bolar

Experience

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  Innomedia Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

  Apr 2004 - Apr 2007

  Creative Product Manager

  Part of the creative core team developing the product, ‘CHOIS PAD’ – an interactive home entertainment system that integrates voice and data based interfaces with television.

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  OnMobile Global Limited

  Aug 2009 - Sept 2023

  Identifying new partners, negotiating agreements, and collaborating with Legal, Finance, and Marketing teams to execute alliance deals. Leading planning and execution of tactical plans to drive business goals.Developing strategic alliances with content partners in India & Bangladesh. Overseeing content management for various entities, including New Wallets, OEMs, and OTTs in India and Asia, as well as Bangladesh OPCOs (Grameen, Banglalink, Robi, and Airtel).Facilitating service integration between content partners (e.g., SonyLiv, Hungama, Eros) and payment gateways/wallets (such as bKash, nagad, upay, and khalti).Growing Telecom partner businesses across multiple channels and providing comprehensive tracking and reporting to top management. Focusing on driving incremental revenue and impact through relationships.Managing the end-to-end content sourcing process by coordinating with internal stakeholders and field teams, ensuring a seamless order-to-payment cycle.Take the lead on special projects, including lead generation and nurturing for Gamize. This SaaS platform leverages gamification techniques to acquire and engage users on web and mobile apps.HighlightsIn 2018, successfully negotiated agreements with Nazara, one of India's largest gaming companies with 200 mn paying customers worldwide, and SonyLiv, Sony Pictures India's OTT streaming platform boasting 33 mn paid subscribers. Shifted from Minimum Guarantee (MG) to a Revenue Share model, yielding a significant 15% revenue increase, improving OnMobile's financial performance, and solidifying partnerships with Nazara and SonyLiv for ongoing growth.In 2020, led the launch of services with bKash, a prominent fintech company in Bangladesh, resulting in a remarkable 9X growth in transactions and revenue (19 million BDT). Efforts to enhance user retention reduced churn from 10% in 2020 to 7% in 2021, maintaining it at 5%, strengthening the bKash partnership and OnMobile's position in Bangladesh. Show less Conceptualized, developed, and successfully launched an 'infotainment' subscription product, showcasing a knack for innovation in content services.Efficiently managed user commitments, planned content strategies, and handled subscription management.Curated Music content and managed the complete playlist lifecycle on digital storefronts, including research, ideation, measuring, and iterating.HighlightsThe 'infotainment' subscription product emerged as the highest revenue generator within its category, demonstrating strong commercial acumen.Oversaw User Engagement, Content Strategy, and Usage Metrics, contributing significantly to a revenue size of INR 120 million for key mobile operators.Successfully curated Music content and optimized playlist offerings, enhancing user experiences and content relevance. Show less Spearheaded BSNL's RBT Menu overhaul, doubling activation and download revenue by prioritizing User Journeys and Experience.Specialized in implementing usability best practices for OnMobile services, improving functionality and user satisfaction, and designing User Journey flows for Apps and IVRs.Utilized localization strategies for tailored products, emphasizing dialect, cultural resonance, and local lingo, with creative content packaging.Client Servicing SPOC for Reliance, driving navigational key improvements for ergonomics and usability.Led international projects, SPOC for Airtel, BanglaLink, and Maxis, offering valuable content and usability recommendations, revamping BanglaLink's voice portal.Contributed to special projects, including BBC mHealth ('Ananya'), HELP ME (Safety App), and KHIDKI (Handset app embedding content stores), showcasing versatility and adaptability.HighlightsIn 2010, I led a transformative project for Idea (now merged with Vodafone) to optimize the phone's menu, focusing on improving access to voice-based services, especially Ringback Tones (RBT).By shortening welcome prompts, simplifying content access, and redesigning the IVR language selection process, we achieved a 10% increase in service adoption within six months. These changes also boosted user engagement, leading to higher revenue and significantly lower churn rates, highlighting a successful customer retention initiative.In 2011, I spearheaded the "Localization for Growing Revenues" project, addressing challenges in expanding telecom services into diverse markets. Our comprehensive strategy, emphasizing tailored services in regional languages, cultural sensitivity, and relevance, resulted in outstanding outcomes:- 20% revenue growth in the first year- Increased customer engagement- A 12% rise in market share Show less

  • Business Alliances Manager

    Dec 2017 - Sept 2023

  • Digital Content Management & Music Merchandising

    Jun 2014 - Nov 2017

  • Customer & User Experience Manager

    Aug 2009 - May 2014
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  Airtel Digital

  Dec 2023 - now

  Product Sales Specialist