Vidya Veerapandian

Experience

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  Origami Creative Concepts (Official)

  Aug 2005 - Dec 2005

  Account Planning and Client Servicing Trainee

  Origami is a boutique advertising agency with clients distributed across various industries including FMCG and retail. Worked with new and established brands like Calonge, Handiman, Megamart, Accenture, Akshara Foundation and Merit Trac. The work profile involved brand positioning, developing new messaging for brands, evolving creative briefs, etc.

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  The PRactice

  Feb 2006 - May 2006

  Account Executive

  PRactice is a full service public relations firm with clients distributed across technology, healthcare, consumer, education and social innovation sectors. Designed internal communications strategy for Microsoft Bengaluru office. Part of education vertical team that worked with SMART Technologies, a leading manufacturer of Interactive White Boards; built their communications strategy that involved working with NGOs, government and education ministries for a better reach of their products. Show less

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  RSA

  Oct 2006 - Mar 2012

  RSA is one of the world's leading multinational insurance group with over 300 years of heritage. Part of the leadership team, led the marketing and communications strategy and execution for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain operations; managed a team spread across 4 locations; handled a budget of $2.5m. Set-up the first marketing communications department for these countries, laying out the operating structure and best practices that involved working closely with business heads to articulate business goals in the most effective manner. Designed several brand and product campaigns in partnership with technical team and intermediaries such as the insurance brokers to raise awareness and engagements levels to ultimately promote sales growth.Official spokesperson of the company; managed the entire PR and media relations including CEO communications and stock exchange communications, working in partnership with various parties.Led the entire internal communications including staff engagement, employing innovative and intuitive methods which aided in establishing a sales and customer focused culture. Led the CSR piece for the region, establishing sustainable practices in partnership with the Group and external parties such as Ecometrica, WWF and local social bodies. Under my leadership, Winning with the Customer, a process excellence initiative saw over 200 issues being resolved and improved efficiencies with AME region (India, China, Singapore, Oman, UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia); introduced incentive plan to enthuse employees and promote efficiency. Head of Employee Engagement for Middle East, reporting to AME CEO; worked closely with country HR heads to highlight the importance of Gall-up survey and its findings amongst staff.Winner of Brand Champion Award- for exceptional brand activation in the Group. Winner of Great Job Award- for superior delivery of the entire IPO communications. Show less Designed and managed the day to day internal and external communications activities including CSR across both the markets.Worked closely with external vendors to launch marketing campaigns for products such as motor, SME etc to promote key messages that were aligned to sales goals.Created and managed the first ever exclusive websites and intranet for both these operations.Initiated key internal and external projects including face-to-face employee comms such as town hall meetings, meet-the-chief, employee reward programs, broker meets, broker survey, etc.Winner of Rising Star Award- for the most promising comms member in the AME region. Show less

  • Head of Marketing and Communications

    Apr 2008 - Mar 2012

  • From Marketing and Communications Executive to Marketing and Communications Manager

    Oct 2006 - Mar 2008
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  UP-CSR Advisory

  Jun 2013 - Jan 2015

  Consultant

  UP helps organizations to become socially responsible and ultimately sustainable. As an advisory, UP works closely with clients to develop a CSR plan that is relevant, scalable and yet it factors in the triple bottom line principles. Developed CSR vision, strategy and implementation plan that involved functional-level goal setting for corporate clients from healthcare and home décor industries. Defined their Social Impact Areas (SIA) with a direct link to the triple bottom line.Other areas of expertise include supply chain analysis, CSR specific brand campaigns, public participation and engagement campaigns, stakeholder communications and reporting. Show less

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  RSA

  Jun 2015 - Dec 2019

  Head of Marketing and Communications
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  FWD

  May 2020 - now

  Founder
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  FS Brew

  Apr 2021 - now

  Co- Founder & Host

  FS Brew is the Middle East region's first content platform dedicated to discussing topical news, events, trends, and happenings from the world of insurance and financial services, especially from the region.