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http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/L0wcLThGqWEa5TXXnF5WIN/Ash...
1 i of 2 dvan Sangitaa A
10/27/2012 12:22 PM
http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/L0wcLThGqWEa5TXXnF5WIN/Ash...
himself, says Nanji. Kuriens affinity for sports saw Thums Up sponsor the Great Freedom Run event in New Delhi for the campaign launch in 1987, with Rajiv Gandhi donning a T-shirt that carried the brand name. Kurien reflects: Meeting the Maharashtra Dyslexia Association finally made me understand my situation 50 years later! There is no such thing as a learning disability, only a learning difference. I learnt in the villages, in the streets of Mumbai, from my experiences. I cant use big words, but I can still learn. And he learnt that his true calling lay in converting his real-life observations into business ideas. Seeing some Asian countries abandon traditional attire for Western wear, he persuaded Garden Silk to also make salwar kameez fabric, boosting its revenue. And as Subhash Chandra, promoter, Zee TV, recollects: When we kick-started Zee, Ashok convinced me to give free advertising to a select group. From the fifth day onwards, we got a deluge of advertising revenue, when people perceived that established names were already with us. Recently, Kurien has reinvented mineral water Bisleri, its new, aqua green colour making it stand out from the blur of blue competitors such as Kinley and Aquafina. Sales have since rocketed. Kurien has also converted Flora2000.com, a small Mumbai online retail florist, into a leading brand in the US. As an angel investor, Ashoks marketing genius put us on the map, with 150 same-day delivery destinations worldwide, and 3,000 products, says Rehan yar Khan, co-founder. Suresh Thadani, Kuriens friend and accountant, says: Ashok retains talent and partners because he always thinks about their growth. He simply cant forget his own days. Kurien now mentors young people and parents alike, reaching out to schools and holding seminars. As Belnera Fernandes, parent, JBCN-Pan Academy, says, Kuriens courage in sharing failures with us is a real inspiration. Back in his office, Kurien points to the posters of boxing champ Muhammad Ali and Olympian sprinter Carl Lewis. He says: Everything Ive learnt about life is right here. When you are going to fight, stand there and win. There are no draws in boxing. He laughs: When you know you are going to lose, learn how to runreal fast! And though he still struggles with spellings, its clear hes learnt to run with the punches. Name: Ashok Kurien Title: Senior adviser, Publicis Groupe India; chairman, Publicis India; founder-promoter/director, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, Playwin, Dish TV India Ltd; co-founder, Flora2000.com, Remindo.com Age: 58 Education: A borrowed BA, Bombay University, 1977 Pursuits: Serial entrepreneur; mentoring youngsters (Personal Space runs every alternate Friday and looks at the pursuits beyond work of some of Indias corporate leaders. Write to Sangitaa Advani at personalspace@livemint.com)
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10/27/2012 12:22 PM