Photography, Design- space, print and digital.
Hi, I’m
Rekha Khare
Vadodara
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
Walt Disney
Summary
Skilled Creative Director adept at overseeing writers, designers and artists to accomplish challenging objectives. Excellent communicator, problem solver and detail-oriented manager proficient in business operations and customer needs.
Overview
25
years of professional experience
18
years of post-secondary education
3
Languages
Work History
Hitachi Energy Ltd.Vadodara, Gujarat
REGIONAL BRAND MANAGER, India and South Asia
10.2021 - Current
Job overview
- Efficiently established Templafy document generator with all branded templates globally on single day – Go Live, dealing with 500 + stakeholders
- Successfully launched new brand identity in India, to great acclaim
- Provided strong support in re-branding facilities in region at fast pace for upcoming customer events and inaugurations and deployed branded assets in timely and compliant manner, providing executing teams with necessary guidance.
- Compiled product and customer data to generate informed profit projections
- Managed and oversaw creative projects to drive quality, accuracy and deadline management
- Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders, vendors and industry influencers to create positive brand experiences.
- Managed and oversaw creative projects to drive quality, accuracy and deadline management.
Hitachi ABB Power GridsVadodara
REGIONAL BRAND MANAGER, India and South Asia
03.2021 - 10.2021
Job overview
- Efficiently orchestrated Go-live activity and strategically executed transition for upcoming Go-live in region.
- Mentored new joiners in team to understand organizations and start delivering soon.
- Imparted training to approximately 1500 colleagues in region, to explain Brand transition and
Hitachi ABB Power Grids
Communications Lead - Marcom, Brand Events
07.2020 - 03.2021
Job overview
- Accomplishments
- Implemented global targets and metrics for marketing communications initiatives effectively
- Leveraged restricted branding in a proficient and compliant manner for Marcoms, tradeshows, and agreed assets.
ABB India Ltd.
Communications Lead - Marcom, Brand Events
12.2019 - 06.2020
Job overview
- Implemented cost-saving measures by partnering with external media and events company, resulting in a 40% reduction in costs compared to previous year
- Successfully developed and delivered the company's first Annual report in the form of an e-brochure, which was well-received by internal and external stakeholders
- Guaranteed effective communication strategies across various trade media outlets in alignment with ABB’s communication plan to increase Company's visibility.
ABB India Ltd.Vadodara, Gujarat
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, Power Grids Business
08.2008 - 12.2019
Job overview
- Accomplishments
- Oversaw forecasting, budgeting, and media planning for the local Power Grids business with six critical locations across India and was awarded the extra miler award for flawlessly organizing and delivering global events locally
- Successfully executed an ad campaign at 50% of the cost through strategic planning and skilled negotiation
- Planned and oversaw high-quality photoshoots and video shoots at 60% less than the cost quoted by corporate vendors
- Led the division to participate in over 50 exhibitions and events within a 5-7-year tenure
- Bagged best stall award for the organization twice and earned recognition from the Division manager for effectively building the state-of-the-art customer experience center-PowerTEC
- Conceptualized and successfully executed three major events celebrating 50 years of manufacturing in India, as referenced in a recommendation from my manager, earning 100% satisfaction from ex-location heads, employees, and customers who remembered the event for years.
- Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness through the development of innovative solutions.
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS, Siemens Healthineers
MANAGER
04.2008 - 08.2008
Job overview
- Excelled in efficient communication and swift execution of campaigns and materials for launches and product promotion, resulting in a compliment for working at lightning speed
- Partnered with design agencies, photographers, video agencies, event departments, and external communications to deliver collaterals for the medical division well ahead of schedule.
Ramoji Film City
ASST. CREATIVE DIRECTOR
12.2007 - 04.2008
Job overview
- Orchestrated concept and creative designs for corporate events, conferences, and weddings while ensuring projects met budgets, timelines, and requirements
- Assisted Creative Director in developing strategies, offering creative solutions, and monitoring the performance of creative teams
- Supervised creative teams by providing guidance and project management on various projects and overseeing the creative development of materials from inception to completion
- Key Accomplishments
- Led the creative direction of the star-studded New Year's Eve event, drawing in over 800 attendees
- Implemented cost-effective measures by leveraging in-house event design, resulting in a 15-20% savings on external design agency expenses.
TV Ads
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
08.2006 - 12.2007
Job overview
- Analysed trends, evaluated new data, and stayed current with the latest marketing techniques while coordinating creative development and production process encompassing a broad range of marketing/messaging vehicles
- Led and inspired an in-house creative team of Art Directors, Copywriters and collaborated with Photo/Videographers to interpret briefs and narrate story themes into an engaging brand experience across all consumer touchpoints
- Key Accomplishments
- Spearheaded a successful campaign for a local tea brand (Mohanlal Tea), elevating the brand's image and significantly boosting sales
- Directed ad campaign for motivational speaker Shiv Khera and successfully handled multiple other accounts, including Sachin Tendulkar and Pennwalt
- Maximized the capabilities of the in-house creative team, resulting in cost savings and reducing the need for outsourcing talent.
Target Advertising and MarketingVadodara, Gujarat
ART DIRECTOR
08.2005 - 08.2006
Job overview
- Oversaw meetings with client servicing team and clients, managed ideation and space design process, provided art direction for designs, photo shoots, and print production, and supervised the execution to ensure a perfect finish
- Partnered with client servicing, graphic designers, and external vendors such as photographers, videographers, and production houses to achieve desired aesthetic of exhibits, displays, and pavilions
- Generated clear ideas and concepts in tandem with a copywriter
- Key Accomplishments
- Coordinated Medical Tourism Pavilion for the Vibrant Gujarat Event, a visionary project of the current Prime Minister of India during his tenure as Chief Minister of state, and subsequently served numerous clients, including India International Trade Fair (IITF) PSUs such as GACL, GSFC, GMDC, and Companies like Inductotherm
- Reduced expenses by directing photoshoots and video shoots for creating promotional materials
- Achieved 15-20% cost savings by efficiently producing designs and artwork with a small team of 2 designers.
One Advertising and Communication Service Ltd
BRANCH HEAD
12.2003 - 08.2004
Job overview
- Pioneered the establishment of the Vadodara branch for the Ahmedabad-based firm and achieved break even within 2-3 months by implementing a PSU and fashion chain on retainer ship
- Accomplished 30-40% cost savings by securing an office at a prime location at highly negotiated rates
- Secured two big clients on retainers and additional accounts, propelling the branch to profitability within a few months of its launch.
Integra
ART DIRECTOR
04.1998 - 08.2003
Job overview
- Assessed workload, workflow, and project priorities to improve team performance while liaising with internal and external stakeholders and collaborating with other designers on daily responsibilities
- Participated in client meetings, creative discussions, and strategy discussions, providing insight, guidance, and creative direction while reviewing and approving the material produced by designers
- Troubleshoot design projects with designers to meet business objectives and client needs and ensure projects are on time, on budget, and reflect correct branding standards
- Key Accomplishments
- Empowered a team of 11+ talented designers in ideation, creative, strategic development, and execution process
- Conceptualized and executed the brand identity and campaign for the renowned mineral water brand Manikchand Oxyrich at the prestigious Filmfare awards for Bollywood
- Art Directed the launch of the Holiday Inn property in Vadodara, featuring renowned celebrities
- Optimized cost savings by utilising the in-house talent for events, resulting in a 20-25% reduction in external team expenses
- Successfully executed a direct campaign for the Vadodara Police, raising mass awareness about emergency pager numbers.
Education
Indian Institute of ManagementIndore
Executive Programme from Executive Programme in Branding And Advertising
10.2022 - 05.2023
Bhavan’s Rajendra Prasad Institute of Communication & ManagementVadodara
PG Diploma from Marketing and Sales Management
01.1995 - 01.1996
The Maharaja Sayajirao University of BarodaVadodara
BA from Fine Arts), Graphic Design, Typography, Visual Communications
01.1991 - 01.1995
Zenith High SchoolVadodara
Higher Secondary from Science
01.1977 - 01.1989
Skills
Creative Direction
Graphic DesignDetail OrientedCritical ThinkingProblem-SolvingCreative StrategyInterpersonal SkillsCollaboration SkillsTeam ManagementEvent ManagementProject ManagementVisual CommunicationConcept DevelopmentVerbal and Written CommunicationAdvertising expertise
Strategy development
Market Positioning
Brand development
Corporate Communications
Marketing and advertising
Additional Information
- HONORS & AWARDS , X-tra Miler Award for Displaying “Values in Action”
- Best Stall Award in Domestic Exhibitors Category Trailblazers Team Award for Outstanding Collaboration
Interests
Timeline
Indian Institute of Management
Executive Programme from Executive Programme in Branding And Advertising
10.2022 - 05.2023
REGIONAL BRAND MANAGER, India and South Asia
Hitachi Energy Ltd.
10.2021 - Current
REGIONAL BRAND MANAGER, India and South Asia
Hitachi ABB Power Grids
03.2021 - 10.2021
Communications Lead - Marcom, Brand Events
Hitachi ABB Power Grids
07.2020 - 03.2021
Communications Lead - Marcom, Brand Events
ABB India Ltd.
12.2019 - 06.2020
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, Power Grids Business
ABB India Ltd.
08.2008 - 12.2019
MANAGER
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS, Siemens Healthineers
04.2008 - 08.2008
ASST. CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Ramoji Film City
12.2007 - 04.2008
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
TV Ads
08.2006 - 12.2007
ART DIRECTOR
Target Advertising and Marketing
08.2005 - 08.2006
BRANCH HEAD
One Advertising and Communication Service Ltd
12.2003 - 08.2004
ART DIRECTOR
Integra
04.1998 - 08.2003
Bhavan’s Rajendra Prasad Institute of Communication & Management
PG Diploma from Marketing and Sales Management
01.1995 - 01.1996
The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda
BA from Fine Arts), Graphic Design, Typography, Visual Communications
01.1991 - 01.1995
Zenith High School
Higher Secondary from Science
01.1977 - 01.1989