Careers in Marketing

5 hours ago

3 min read

Sudhir Kiran, Educational Leader and Brand Consultant

Sudhir Kiran is an education leader, brand consultant and marketing professional with over 13 years of experience at the intersection of education, branding and storytelling. He helps educational institutions, businesses and individuals build meaningful brands through clear communication, strategic thinking and authentic storytelling.

He began his career in branding and advertising, working with creative agencies and production teams on campaigns and films for global and Indian clients. Over time, his focus expanded from executing marketing campaigns to helping organisations define their purpose, strengthen their communication and shape long-term strategy. Today, he combines his expertise in marketing and education by advising schools, colleges, businesses and individuals on branding, communication, positioning and leadership.

He currently serves as President and Chief Advisor at Ashoka Shishu Vihara and also works as a Global Brand Consultant. Previously, he was Group Account Manager at Red Bangle & Stirred Creative, managing global clients including Harman, JBL, Mark Levinson, Infinity, Infosys, Wipro and Schlumberger. He also served as Brand Manager and Strategist at NumberNagar, where he helped shape the organisation's early brand identity and growth. He holds an MSc in International Marketing from Leeds University Business School, UK.

1. Can you briefly describe your profession and what a typical day looks like for you?

I would describe my profession as a mix of education leadership, brand consulting and mentoring. A typical day usually includes strategy work with school leaders or founders, reviewing or planning communication and branding for organisations, and simplifying these concepts for beginners. Some days I'm in schools observing classes, speaking with teachers or discussing long-term plans. Other days, I'm working on brand messaging, content ideas or workshop structures for small businesses and individuals. 2. How does what you do relate to subjects taught in school?

My work draws from several school subjects, even if I didn't realise it at the time. Languages play a huge role in how I write, frame ideas and tell stories. Social sciences, especially history and civics, help me understand people, culture and context. Business studies and economics explain how organisations function, how value is created and how markets behave. Art and design influence visual identity and communication. Above all, the ability to think critically, connect ideas across subjects and understand human behaviour forms the foundation of what I do every day. 3. How can teachers make their lessons more relevant to careers like yours?

By connecting classroom concepts to real-world communication challenges. Students could rewrite a story as a social media post, brochure or brand story. They could analyse how a school, local business or community initiative presents itself through its name, colours and messaging. Using everyday case studies from brands, YouTube channels or local businesses helps students see that classroom learning directly influences how ideas are communicated, trust is built and organisations grow. 4. What role do teachers play in shaping a student's career awareness?

Teachers play a quiet but powerful role in helping students recognise their interests, strengths and potential. By encouraging abilities such as writing, storytelling, design, leadership and problem-solving, they expand students' understanding of possible career paths. When teachers share real-world examples and create opportunities for students to explore different professions, they plant ideas that often shape future career choices. 5. Are there any activities teachers can use to introduce your field in the classroom?

Absolutely. Students can rebrand a local business or school initiative by creating a clearer message, a simple logo concept and a tagline. Another activity is designing a campaign around a social cause, such as reducing plastic use, through posters, short videos or social media posts. Teachers can also compare before-and-after examples of branding and ask students what changed and why. Even writing a one-line description of themselves, a club or a project introduces the basics of positioning and communication. 6. What advice would you give teachers who want to help students become more future-ready?

Focus on skills that remain valuable across every career: communication, critical thinking, collaboration, adaptability and lifelong learning. The future will continue to change, but students who can ask thoughtful questions, express ideas clearly and adapt to new situations will always have opportunities. Teachers can nurture these qualities by encouraging experimentation, project-based learning, presentations, teamwork and reflection, while helping students connect classroom learning to everyday life.