Apurva Singhai
Summary
- Assistant Professor with 99.7 percentile in UGC NET (Dec 2019) and a Doctoral Candidate pursuing PhD in Marketing at Symbiosis International University.
- Leverages 13 years of corporate experience in brand communication and market research to deliver real-world insights, preparing MBA students for marketing careers.
- Proven record in curriculum design, driving student success, and consistently achieving high faculty ratings for teaching excellence and student engagement.
- Committed to research and contributing to higher education.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Professor
International School of Business and Media
07.2023 - Current
- Designed and delivered curricula for Marketing Management, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Brand Management, Digital Marketing, Service Marketing, Introduction to Advertising, and Sales and Distribution Management
- Developed and led specialized workshops in Communication skills, B2B sales, Conducting consumer interviews, Advertising strategy, High ticket sales, Minto Pyramid method
- Spearheaded placement training initiatives, securing roles for students in companies like Volvo, Madison, Nielsen, ICICI Prudential, and Times Internet
- Achieved an average student engagement and teaching excellence rating of 4.8 out of 5.
Assistant Professor
FoCMS, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research
12.2022 - 03.2023
- Contributed to curriculum development and delivery for Marketing Management and Brand and mentored students in English Communication
Visiting Faculty Member
FLAME University
- Taught Advertising Account Planning to MBA students
Visiting Faculty Member
Harkisan Mehta Institute of Media Research and Analysis
- Taught Advertising research and Strategy
Visiting Faculty Member
Sophia College
- Taught Advertising Strategy
Independent Qualitative Freelance Researcher
Marketing Research Agencies
07.2017 - 11.2022
- Providing full service qualitative research solutions to clients
- Managed and moderated focus groups and in-depth interviews for clients across categories.
- Types of studies done- Exploratory, Segmentation, Concept Testing, Product usage, Positioning, Packaging, Channel research.
Group Planning Head (Brand Strategy)
Famous Innovations
07.2016 - 05.2018
- Helped brands stay relevant by being at the forefront of culture, understanding people and developing compelling strategies and creative ideas.
- Led strategy on integrated campaigns for Raymond, Snapdeal, D’Decor
Head of Brand Strategy
Zoop Online Pvt.Ltd
03.2014 - 05.2016
- Company Overview: (Startup)
- Develop Brand positioning recommendations
- Guided Market research analysis
- Defined Brand elements and tone.
- Managed marketing campaigns across print, broadcast and online platforms to ensure that products and services meet customers’ expectations and to build the credibility of brands
- (Startup)
Brand Communication Strategy Associate
Leo Burnett
03.2013 - 01.2014
- Lead and aide in strategic research and development of campaigns for HDFC, Zee Q, Tata Communications, Kolte Patil
- Conducted primary and secondary research for consumer insights
- Responsible for leading the development of cutting-edge, connected customer engagement / journey-based CRM, Social Media & Content strategies.
Senior Brand Strategist
Law and Kenneth Communication Pvt.Ltd.
06.2010 - 01.2013
- Job focused on driving insights to contribute to overall brand communication strategies for Hero Motocorp, Times Now, Ebay, Pidilite, Paramount Airlines, ADD Gel
- Spotting cultural, societal and consumer trends for the brands.
- Conducted Extensive Qualitative Research to deep dive into solving clients’ problems and leveraging opportunities
- Writing the creative briefs that inspire the team to create compelling work
- Won new business pitches
Junior Project Manager (Qualitative Research)
HTP Concept Pvt. Ltd.
01.2008 - 03.2010
- Managed research projects right from conception to completion for Coca Cola, Nivea, Nokia, Microsoft, Dr. Oetker, Barclays and various others
- Designing the right methodology to suit the research objectives, preparation of the research instruments, fieldwork, analysis and presentation and consulting
- Managed and moderated focus groups and in-depth interviews for clients across categories.
- Qualitative Research Analysis to provide actionable insights to the clients.
- New business development
Marketing Associate
Piramyd Retail
02.2007 - 01.2008
Education
PhD -
Symbiosis International University
05-2026
MBA - working professionals/regular mode
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies
Mumbai01.2019
PGDBM -
Bharathidasan Institute of Management
01.2006
Bachelor of Engineering - ECE
MNM Jain Engineering College
Madras, India01-2002
Skills
- Teaching excellence
- Communication skills
- Training development
- Qualitative research
- Brand strategy
- Market research
- Syllabus development
- Workshop facilitation
- Classroom management
- Evaluations and assessments
Research And Publications
Symbiosis International University (Expected Completion: 2026), A mixed method study of intention to adopt smart homes among digital natives., Advertising effectiveness, Role of affect in consumer behaviour, Brand management, A Systematic Review of Affective States and Consumer Purchase Intent (Co-authored with Dr Vaishali Mahajan)
Certification
- UGC NET, 12/19
- Digital Marketing, Squared Online (UK) Advanced Digital Marketing Course by Google and certified by Institute Of Practitioners in Advertising and Internet Advertising Bureau., 09/14 - 03/15
- Humankind Behavioral Planning tool, Leo Burnett
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 05/25/79
- Gender: Male
Timeline
Assistant Professor
International School of Business and Media
07.2023 - Current
Assistant Professor
FoCMS, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research
12.2022 - 03.2023
Independent Qualitative Freelance Researcher
Marketing Research Agencies
07.2017 - 11.2022
Group Planning Head (Brand Strategy)
Famous Innovations
07.2016 - 05.2018
Head of Brand Strategy
Zoop Online Pvt.Ltd
03.2014 - 05.2016
Brand Communication Strategy Associate
Leo Burnett
03.2013 - 01.2014
Senior Brand Strategist
Law and Kenneth Communication Pvt.Ltd.
06.2010 - 01.2013
Junior Project Manager (Qualitative Research)
HTP Concept Pvt. Ltd.
01.2008 - 03.2010
Marketing Associate
Piramyd Retail
02.2007 - 01.2008
Visiting Faculty Member
FLAME University
Visiting Faculty Member
Harkisan Mehta Institute of Media Research and Analysis
Visiting Faculty Member
Sophia College
PhD -
Symbiosis International University
MBA - working professionals/regular mode
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies
PGDBM -
Bharathidasan Institute of Management
Bachelor of Engineering - ECE
MNM Jain Engineering College
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