Speaker Profile:

Prahlad Kakar, Genesis Film Productions Pvt Ltd.

Prahlad Kakar started his career in advertising in 1973 in ASP Delhi. He then moved on to gain experience in feature films with his mentor and leading filmmaker Shyam Benegal . After assisting him on renowned features like “ Ankur”, “ Nishant” , “Manthan” and “Bhumika” between 1974 to 1977, he moved on to become an independent film director in the field of Advertising again. He is the Founder and Director of Genesis Film Production Pvt. Ltd., one of the leading production houses in India. Prahlad virtually invented a genre of television advertising in the years that followed. He has ruled the advertising world with his brand of irreverent humor, memorable brand building campaigns and has created Award winning commercials for the most reputed Corporates and agencies in India and the Asia Pacific region. “To tell a story in 30 secs in the most engaging way possible” remains Prahlad’s raison d’être for his continued passion for ad filmmaking, even 38 years later. Known as the “Ad guru” he has been instrumental in changing the face of advertising in our country bringing in the appropriate “regional Indianness” and values into an urban context through his films, creative workshops, articles and interviews. He has helped create memorable campaigns for brands like Pepsi “Yehi heh right choice baby! Aha” Gold spot “The zing thing”, Maggie “2 minutes?” Britannia “ting ting ti ting”, Limca “Zor ka Jhatka” and Maggi Sauces “Its different!”. Some of his clients include:

• Pepsico (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, The Philippines, Vietnam, New York), Levers (India), Nestle (India and Pakistan),
• Britannia Industries Limited,
• Nestle,
• United Breweries,
• Proctor and Gamble (India,Vietnam),
• Sony Entertainment Television,
• Mastercard,
• Visa international,
• Fab India.

Through the years, these corporates have continued to communicate their brand stories with Prahlad making films that capture the dreams and aspirations of his target audience. Memorable campaigns which created history and to date remain in the hearts and minds of people who grew up watching these campaigns. Prahlad has won several awards for technical excellence, Innovation and creativity in advertising over the years. Genesis won both Gold and Silver awards including “Campaign of the Year” for the Pepsi commercials at AAAI. His Public service films for Ceat, won awards in the New York Festival of Advertising. Commercials directed by Prahlad have also been nominated for Lions at Cannes.
Within 20 years of his career Prahlad Kakar earned himself a Lifetime Achievement Award by the IAAFA in the year 1999 and has got Genesis the top Production House for 2 years in a row for years 2003 and 2004 by Brand Equity. Prahlad’s aesthetics and sensibilities have found shape and form in the hundreds of films done over a career that spans over 38yrs. His impeccable story-telling, centered around the product, has always been the key to his success.

Prahlad’s passion for the Ocean initiated him to start Lacadives against all odds. It is the first Scuba Diving School established over 3 decades ago in Kadmat, Lakshadweep Islands in 1993. Years later Lacadives has established its presence in the Andamans islands. Today he is expanding into the adventure and wellness space as he sees this as an ever growing opportunity across the globe.

Not without a conscience, Prahlad Kakar is the co- founder of Reefwatch Marine Conservation, which aims at creating marine-life awareness for students and adults across the sub-continent. Education, research, community outreach programs for the fragile eco systems.

His passion for cooking led him to run restaurants and a tea lounge with his own brand of gourmet cooking .A staunch believer in living large, Prahlad Kakar has given shape to his myriad interests and effectively and converted many into profitable ventures. His passion for food and people has proved instrumental in his association with a variety of restaurants, enabling him to introduce diverse tastes and styles of dining to the city of Mumbai.

Today the innovative corporate, Ad guru, Branding Strategist, Chief mentor, and Board member of many companies is involved in providing innovative 360 degree solutions consulting with Companies and brand building various products and services. Creative workshops, Motivational and Leadership interactive sessions for students, middle management and top management executives in providing marketing solutions and focusing on the Company’s growth story. Including, SMEs, government agencies and individuals to deal with current issues and future challenges.

Prahlad brings all these enriching experiences to his newest venture PKSBE (Prahlad Kakar School of Branding and Entrepreneurship) in which he is spearheading the organization of innovative education in the field of entrepreneurship, Media, and film making. This program encourages students to overcome fear and free their minds to develop creative strategies and perform to their optimum, embracing risk as an integral part of doing Business. A unique syllabus explored by none other in the field of education and entrepreneurship .He is the driving force behind single handedly creating focused, imaginative, successful professionals over the last 3 decades .Today he brings all his 38 years of experience and enthusiasm under one roof at PKSBE.

Pratish Nair

Pratish Nair is among the top inspirational speakers in the country and one of the most sought after. Since 2005, Pratish has helped mentor over a lakh corporate executives to reach their highest potential. He is a passionate actor, creative director and a humorous entertainer. It is practically impossible to keep a stern face in his presence. He infuses wit, scientific knowledge and deep insight to his training programs, making him one of the most sought after transformational coaches not only in India but across USA, UK, UAE and Srilanka. He enjoys a huge fan following among his clients like Dell, Sap, Cap Gemini, Seimens, Volkswagen, Bisleri, Cipla, Mercedes Benz, Wipro,Bayer Deloitte, Wells Fargo, Safmarine etc for his Leadership and Team Building programs.

Pratish is an MBA in Marketing and a CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing,UK)Member and CEO of Century Group of Companies which is one of India’s best export conglomerates. He has practically grown in a business environment and uses this knowledge to help people reach their true potential.

Pratish has always followed his heart and passions with a vengeance. His debut play ‘LBS Marg’, was the crowd attractor in 2006 when it premiered at the prestigious Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Natya Mandir in Mumbai. His directorial venture ‘The Victim’ in 2007 was not only nominated by Sony Pix but was also premiered on Sony Pix Channel. In 2008, he produced the blockbuster Malayalam movie ‘Banaras’, with a lead star cast. He is currently working on a new script and novel.

Pratish co-founded the ‘Prahlad Kakar School of Branding & Entrepreneurship’ in association with the Ad guru himself. Prahlad Kakar, speaks volumes of his creative abilities. “To live beyond fear” remains his favourite guideline in life. Serendipitously, his name also means ‘BRAVE’.

Pratish believes there is no greater joy than pursing your passions with a vengeance as it not only serves the world but also you. He lives by the words “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. So make it splendid.