Prasad Gangan 2.0 — A ‘Different’ Marketing Professional

Published on: 25th December 2027 — The Hindu

“I always thought that marketing is only for big companies. But once I started using the services of ‘Digital Republic’, there was no looking back…”

There is a twinkle in the eye of the Yoga teacher from Kolhapur when she talks about how she finds it difficult to imagine the extents her business has grown since she has started using digital marketing tools to promote her business.

“They helped me set up my Youtube channel and my Facebook account. I never thought I would be a well-known Yoga teacher with almost a celebrity-like status. I am really thankful to them”

Prasad Gangan is the founder of ‘Digital Republic’ — A digital marketing agency with a difference. It focuses on providing marketing services to small businesses and entrepreneurs and professionals and that too at a cost which is easy on their pockets but effective enough to give wings to their dreams.

So how have you achieved this? I asked Prasad.

“There is no rocket science here. Nobody looked at them as a viable market. But there is always a fortune at the bottom of the pyramid. I believe there was always a scope for providing marketing services to small businesses and professionals. All that was needed that the agency adapts itself when it comes to its people, processes and operations”

“So how do you do it?” I couldn’t resist but ask.

“Well, that’s a trade secret” chuckled Prasad.

After graduating as a computer engineer in 2004, Prasad worked with Infosys, Pune. But the monotony of an IT job did not allow him to be content with himself. The fascination with the world of management began when he started reading HBR (Harvard Business Review) from the Infosys Library and he was drawn to the marketing field. Even though being an introvert and quiet person by nature, which is not exactly a description for a marketing professional, he found himself suited to the marketing world like a fish in the water. There was a priceless satisfaction that he could derive when he could do different things everyday unlike his earlier IT job — write a copy, design a creative, coordinate with agencies, plan an event in detail, be in charge of a voiceover recording in a studio or even click pictures with celebrities. Clearly one could say that it was his dream come true. But as they say, good things don’t quite last.

Even after having more than 10 years of experience and good salary, he felt that his satisfaction that he could derive became limited and diminishing — because of various reasons and limitations ranging from micro-managing superiors, restrictive job responsibilities, lack of good marketing peers, shortsighted top management etc. This is when he decided to pursue his entrepreneurship goal of starting on his own.

“My ambition was to create an agency that would create an impact through its practices especially for small and medium businesses and entrepreneurs who don’t have access to marketing services that are enjoyed as a privilege by bigger brands and corporates,” reminisces Prasad.

Obviously, being a passionate marketing professional, he wanted to continue working in the marketing field without any limitations — where the learning and the satisfaction derived from the results was not bound by any limitation — where he could utilize his skills, abilities, knowledge and network to the maximum for a Brand or company or professional irrespective of its size, budget and ambition.

“I started as a marketing freelancer initially and worked like that for 2 years. This stint helped me understand the nitty-gritty of working on your own. This also helped me realise the challenges I would need to face and network with people who will be helpful once I start on my own. I was ably helped and supported by my wife Amruta, who is an English literature professor, which meant that I was on a rock-solid foundation when it came to playing with words. I am really grateful to have her by my side.” he says with a happy face.

‘Digital Republic’ with his unique business model currently with a turnover of more than 10 Cr is gaining rave reviews for the impact that it has created in the marketing circles. It has a remote working culture — inspired by the lockdown period of 2020 — all its staff works remotely and gets paid for the creative work they create.

“I believe that if your processes and working culture is strong, it doesn’t really matter where your partners(I don’t like to call them employees) are working from. Unfortunately in India, your physical presence and hours worked are given more importance than the actual impact that is created by your work” he says with a smile.

Prasad works from a farmhouse in a remote and quiet place on the outskirts of Mumbai.

“I always felt like living in a zip file when I stayed in Mumbai Suburbs. Here I can breathe easy and feel peaceful. It also helps me think creatively and work productively.” Prasad says while petting his dog — Tuffy.

Prasad also conducts online training programs — inspired by his mentor Digital Deepak. He provides courses on digital marketing sometimes FREE to deserving students from socially and economically deprived sections of the society. He also enjoys teaching on various subjects under the vast domain of Marketing.

Prasad is spiritually grounded. He regularly meditates and listens to religious discourses. He is a follower and a lifetime member of ISKCON. He firmly believes that we only have control over our actions but not the results.

He listens to music and plays with his dog in his free time. He is a movie buff who enjoys inspiring biopics. He also writes a blog on movie reviews. Friends in his circle do look forward to his movie suggestions quite eagerly.

So what do you plan to do next? I asked.

“I am thankful to God for what he has endowed me with — for all successes as well as all my failures and disappointments. I have absolutely no regrets and would not like to change anything even if I were to have the chance. I am happy that I can enjoy my work as play and also impact a lot of lives. I intend to continue doing that” he concluded with glowing tranquillity on his face.

There are a lot of marketers I have come across but Prasad is a ‘Different’ marketing professional with a difference. I wish him all the best in future.

Note: This article is written in a journalistic style in 2020 as a note to future self. Written as a part of Digital Deepak Internship Program. Although the article may sound fictional in 2020, the author intends to put 100% efforts to bring it to life. Hope you all will have constructive feedback for him.