Gagan Talwar
Gurugram
Summary
Dynamic Sales and Business Strategy Professional With 19 years of experience across Digital and Print Media, Audio, Online Press Release Dissemination, International Sales, Business Analysis, and Innovation Planning, I bring a rich blend of expertise to various industries.
Key highlights of my career include:
Sales and Business Development: Extensive experience in Digital, Print Media, Audio, Online Press Release Dissemination, and Cross-Selling, with a strong focus on driving growth and establishing strategic alliances.
Strategic Business Transformation: Demonstrated success in delivering impactful business solutions and spearheading transformation projects across diverse sectors.
Media Solutions Expertise: Proficient in creating and executing comprehensive advertising strategies, including print, electronic, radio, and online press releases.
Innovation and Consulting: Adept at identifying and implementing innovative strategies to enhance client satisfaction and boost profitability
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
National Head
Business Wire India
08.2018 - Current
- Developing and implementing effective sales strategies and leading nationwide sales team members to achieve national/international sales targets
- Ensuring effective hiring, orientation, training, development, and retention of the sales staff
- Communicating regularly with territory, regional and strategic managers for daily support and strategic planning for accounts
- Maintaining a customer database of over 1000 clients nationwide
- Negotiating/closing agreements with large customers
- Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual sales forecasts
- Identified key entry points to enhance market penetration and effectively analyze data to optimize customer satisfaction and increase profitability by 15% YoY
- Maintaining weekly sales tracking and leadership reports to support operational enhancement and implement corrective actions
- Introducing higher standards for customer service and increased efficiency by streamlining operations.
General Manager Sales
Amar Ujala Digital
07.2016 - 08.2018
- Team Leadership & Mentoring: Led a team of 8 managers and senior managers, mentoring management candidates in best practices and leadership
- This resulted in an approximate 100% increase in annual revenue
- Revenue Growth Initiatives: Spearheaded a cross-functional initiative to achieve overall revenue targets, driving significant growth and enhancing organizational performance
- Client Relationship Management: Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships, contributing to sustained business success
- Strategic Business Planning: Developed effective business plans to align strategic decisions with long-term objectives, ensuring consistent alignment with organizational goals
- Entrepreneurial Drive & Business Management: Combined entrepreneurial drive with business management skills to drive significant revenue gains and improve operational efficiency
- Sales Strategy & Training: Communicated a clear, strategic sales vision, effectively training and coaching both veteran and junior sales team members to enhance their skills and performance.
Assistant General Manager Sales
HT Media
04.2014 - 07.2016
- Cross-Departmental Leadership: Managed 30 team members across 5 departments, resulting in an approximate 75% increase in annual revenue through effective leadership and strategic oversight
- Employee Development: Motivated, trained, and disciplined employees to maximize performance, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement
- Innovative Sales Strategies: Developed innovative sales proposals to promote product quality and showcase market comparisons, enhancing competitive positioning
- Revenue Enhancement: Boosted revenue by implementing sales cycle procedures focused on new business development and contract agreements
- Media Marketing Management: Oversaw the media marketing team schedule, aligning coverage needs with individual strengths to optimize productivity
- Talent Recruitment & Training: Recruited and trained 5 internal candidates for potential management role opportunities, building a pipeline of future leaders
- Event-Based Revenue Generation: Created new revenue streams through successful ground events such as Hindustan Shikhar Samagam, International Women's Day, World Health Day, Mother's Day, Osteoporosis Awareness, and Rare Disease Day
- Client Relationship Management: Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and retention
- Contract Negotiation: Successfully negotiated and finalized contracts with new and existing customers, contributing to long-term business growth.
Senior Manager
HT Media
01.2011 - 04.2014
- Integrated Print Media Strategy: Collaborated with clients to develop a print media strategy that seamlessly integrates with marketing, PR, and advertising campaigns, enhancing overall brand messaging
- Industry Research and Analysis: Conducted thorough research on top influencers, competitors, and trends in clients' industries to inform strategic decisions and keep campaigns relevant and competitive
- Digital Communications Leadership: Led social media and digital communications initiatives during the development phases of new projects, managing ongoing solutions to ensure alignment with client objectives
- Data Analysis and Reporting: Worked with analysts to specify reporting and tracking requirements, interpret data, and provide actionable recommendations to clients for improved campaign performance
- Social Media Trends and Engagement: Stayed current with social media trends and tools by attending networking and educational events, reading industry blogs, and listening to podcasts, ensuring cutting-edge strategies
- Social Media Team Management: Managed the social media team, including interns, by assigning responsibilities, conducting team meetings, advising on projects, and motivating team members to achieve goals.
Assistant Manager
Radio City 91.1 FM
07.2008 - 12.2010
- End-to-End Campaign Management: Drove integrated marketing solutions from initial client pitching to implementing campaigns, monitoring progress, and conducting post-campaign evaluations to measure success and inform future strategies
- Cross-Functional Coordination: Coordinated with internal programming teams and external designers/vendors to effectively execute client objectives and deliver high-impact marketing solutions
- Competitive Analysis: Reviewed solutions on competitive platforms where pitches were lost to identify areas for improvement and refine future strategies.
Senior Executive
HT Media
03.2007 - 06.2008
- Offered customized solutions to potential advertisers and created brand strategies
- Monitored competitors and identified new opportunities.
EXECUTIVE
INFOMEDIA INDIA LTD
08.2005 - 02.2007
- Generated leads, developed new client relationships, and exceeded revenue goals.
Education
MBA/PGDM -
Narsee Monjee Institute Of Management Studies
Mumbai01.2026
B.Com -
Lucknow University
Lucknow01.2005
12th -
CISCE(ICSE/ISC)
01.2002
10th -
CISCE(ICSE/ISC)
01.2000
Skills
- Team Collaboration
- Innovation management
- Team Management
- Strategic Planning
- Sales Reporting
- New Business Development
- Competitor Analysis
- New Hire Onboarding
- Marketing Strategy Development
- Contract Management
- Brand Marketing
- Customer Billing
- Account Management
- Customer Portfolio Management
- Credit History Analysis
- Customer Service
- Sales Targeting
- Territory Management
- Digital Sales
- Business Needs Assessment
- Continuous Improvement
- Interpersonal Communication
- Team building
- Sales Statistics Analysis
- Client Retention
- Team Recruiting and Onboarding
- Active Listening
- Sales Presentations
- Client Relations
- Direct Sales
Social Links
linkedin.com/in/gagantalwar1
Languages
- English
- Hindi
- Punjabi
Timeline
National Head
Business Wire India
08.2018 - Current
General Manager Sales
Amar Ujala Digital
07.2016 - 08.2018
Assistant General Manager Sales
HT Media
04.2014 - 07.2016
Senior Manager
HT Media
01.2011 - 04.2014
Assistant Manager
Radio City 91.1 FM
07.2008 - 12.2010
Senior Executive
HT Media
03.2007 - 06.2008
EXECUTIVE
INFOMEDIA INDIA LTD
08.2005 - 02.2007
MBA/PGDM -
Narsee Monjee Institute Of Management Studies
B.Com -
Lucknow University
12th -
CISCE(ICSE/ISC)
10th -
CISCE(ICSE/ISC)