Umesh Rao Email and Phone Number

Happy to share that I have eventually taken a full time plunge into academics. Over the last few years, did multiple assignments with Academic institutions as a faculty, a Curriculum Advisor on the Board of Study as & was also instrumental in building & delivering content across an eclectic mix of disciplines. Eventually realizing that this might just be a wholesome & rewarding space where one can facilitate & drive the convergence of industry & academia for the benefit of the… Show more Happy to share that I have eventually taken a full time plunge into academics. Over the last few years, did multiple assignments with Academic institutions as a faculty, a Curriculum Advisor on the Board of Study as & was also instrumental in building & delivering content across an eclectic mix of disciplines. Eventually realizing that this might just be a wholesome & rewarding space where one can facilitate & drive the convergence of industry & academia for the benefit of the learning community. I have moved on to a new role in Bangalore. Loving the weather & enjoying the youthful exuberance on the campus at Presidency University, Bangalore. Show less

A boutique Perception Management firm conceived by a team of accomplished professionals who believe that Connexions empower an exceptional mix of intellect, emotions and creativity. Virtuoso at Managing Perceptions, creating Impressionable Narratives ,delivering Customized Public Relations solutions & building Enduring Relationships.

Oversaw a New Age Marketing function that is agile & aligned to the objectives of the corporate brand, retail & group channels in the insurance space, leverages cross-channel opportunities across myriad customer segments & builds brand salience & preference across traditional, digital & social media platforms.

The program leads a mandate of rolling out National e – Governance program of Department of Information Technology, Govt. of India across 28000 Common Service Centers in Rural India. The service delivery is through a State of the Art unified IT platform aimed at empowering rural citizens & bridging the digital divide between Urban & Rural India.Responsible for providing thought leadership to Business, Sales & Marketing Operations for one of India’s largest e- governance programs. I led… Show more The program leads a mandate of rolling out National e – Governance program of Department of Information Technology, Govt. of India across 28000 Common Service Centers in Rural India. The service delivery is through a State of the Art unified IT platform aimed at empowering rural citizens & bridging the digital divide between Urban & Rural India.Responsible for providing thought leadership to Business, Sales & Marketing Operations for one of India’s largest e- governance programs. I led a team of over 250 people with 9 direct reports. Created a first of its kind architecture of rural boutique offerings comprising products in Insurance, solar solutions, health, education, financial Inclusion & a basket of low ticket utility services as well. Show less

Oversaw the Marketing & Business Operations for Reliance Digital TV, the Direct to Home (DTH) Television service, heading a team of 22 people. Led the seamless integration of DTH rebranding to Reliance Masterbrand – roll out in 6500 towns in flat 30 days.  Developed a new positioning platform “Joy of Ownership” series - dramatic increase in brand health KPIs. Fastest ever ramp up of 1 Mn subs in the DTH space in <90 days of launch.

SBU Head for 14 countries in the MENA region for Luxury & Fashion eyewear brands.Based out of Dubai handling the core distribution & retail expansion of eyewear brands in the MENA region. Also led the seamless migration of Rivoli Group into standalone, bespoke luxury Optical Retail stores in the UAE.

Four distinctive responsibilities:Brand Management – Four Square Cigarettes Turned around flag ship brand with a breakthrough marketing campaign – “Man with the smooth edge”.Executed a series of Brand reassessment programs leading to increase in market share from 4.2% to 5.6%Brand Management – Red & White Cigarettes Developed an all new line extension mix for new geographies to taken on power brands from the BAT-ITC stable. Corporate Social… Show more Four distinctive responsibilities:Brand Management – Four Square Cigarettes Turned around flag ship brand with a breakthrough marketing campaign – “Man with the smooth edge”.Executed a series of Brand reassessment programs leading to increase in market share from 4.2% to 5.6%Brand Management – Red & White Cigarettes Developed an all new line extension mix for new geographies to taken on power brands from the BAT-ITC stable. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programs Built Red & White Bravery Awards into a credible, widely recognized & socially respected non-tobacco trademark International Trademark Development Worked as Project Champion for India & SAARC countries for positioning international tobacco brands. Show less

Provided business leadership to developing a portfolio of robust packaged tea brands. Brand architecturing, turnaround of two mega brands, innovated the use of PET Jar packaging in tea industry. Portfolio grew at thrice the industry CAGR over a four year period.

Instrumental in launching Hajmola Candy for the company. The brand achieved accelerated success over a two year period. The offering revitalised the mother brand ( Hajmola Tablet).Also worked on the feasibility of Dabur foraying into the larger confectionary business.

Nestle India LimitedButtressed the new positioning of Milkmaid by developing & executing sharply profiled below the line programmes.Reckitt BenckiserIntroduced Robin Stain Remover in North India using a coordinated above the line & series of BTL measures including a synergistic distribution tie up with highly popular "Stencil Shirts" brand.