PSG Institute of Management, Coimbatore, successfully hosted Marketry - The Marketing Conclave, a significant event centered around the compelling theme "Disrupt or Be Disrupted," on April 9, 2025. The conclave served as a platform for in-depth discussions and insights into the critical role of disruption in contemporary marketing strategies. It brought together industry experts and thought leaders who shared their perspectives and experiences with the attendees.

The conclave's realization was under the efforts of Dean Prof. S B Srinivasan. Following the welcome address by Dr. Srividhya, Prof. S B Srinivasan elaborated on the theme of the event, emphasizing the urgent need for businesses to embrace change and innovation. He also expressed gratitude to the industry experts for their invaluable contributions to the conclave. The title "Marketry" itself, a clever blend of "Marketing" and "Mastery," was designed to encapsulate the event's core focus: exploring innovation, disruption, and strategic growth within the dynamic marketplace. The conclave served as a platform for in-depth discussions and insights into the critical role of disruption in contemporary marketing strategies. It brought together industry experts and thought leaders who shared their perspectives and experiences with the attendees.

The conclave continued with Mr. Raghu B Viswanath, Founder of Vertebrand, leading the first session on "Disrupt to Lead - Future-Proofing Brands". In this session, Viswanath likely explored strategies and frameworks for brands to proactively embrace disruption, adapt to changing market dynamics, and ensure their long-term relevance and success. The discussion revolved around innovative approaches to brand management and the importance of anticipating future trends. Mr. Raghu B Viswanath advised the students to adopt different approaches, emphasizing that while technology evolves, the fundamental principles remain constant. He quoted Lewis Carroll's insightful line, "here we must run as fast as we can, just to stay in place," highlighting the need for continuous adaptation. Viswanath also acknowledged Coimbatore's strong reputation for hospitality, and how hospitality has become a brand of coimbatore. He further elaborated on the relationship between brand and perception by discussing famous brands worldwide.

Following the opening session, Mr. CN Ashok, Managing Director of Autoprint, took the stage to discuss "Sustaining Disruption - Beyond the Breakthrough". This session delved into the challenges and opportunities associated with maintaining a culture of disruption within organizations. Mr. Ashok emphasized the need for continuous innovation, operational agility, and strategic planning to capitalize on initial breakthroughs and achieve sustained growth through examples from his business acumen. He emphasized several important requirements for a business to thrive in modern business landscapes, including the core ability to thrive, intent, synergizing and differentiation, skilled employees and upskilling them, and being futuristic. His precise and sharp speech provided the audience with clear insights. He also outlined the seven qualities that companies typically seek in industry-ready candidates: passion for quality, cost prudence, communication skills, customer-centricity, ownership, team playing ability, and willingness to learn and develop.

The discussions continued with Mr. Sridhar Ramanujam, Founder CEO of Integrated Brand-Comm, who addressed "Brand Disruption - Breaking the Mold, Building the Future". Mr. Ramanujam's session focused on the transformative power of brand disruption in reshaping industries and creating new market realities. The session probably explored case studies and best practices in brand innovation, highlighting the importance of creativity, strategic communication, and customer-centricity. He discussed the importance of understanding customer expectations, particularly emphasizing that in India, customers often seek acceptable quality at affordable prices, and businesses must recognize this. He stressed that brands must consistently reinvent themselves and face disruptions not only from end customers but also from influencers who may be only remotely connected to the product or service. Ramanujam also emphasized that changes in branding should be substantive, involving the product itself, and not merely cosmetic. He further talked about the importance of maintaining goodwill, taking competition seriously, and preserving the core essence of the brand throughout its evolution.

Moving into the afternoon, Mr. Jagannath Ramaswamy, Chief Mentor of Crystal, shifted the focus to "The Power of Presence - How offline strategies build deeper consumer connections". In an increasingly digital world, Mr. Ramaswamy's session highlighted the enduring value of offline mainstream marketing strategies in fostering meaningful customer relationships. The discussion likely covered experiential marketing, community engagement, and other tactics that create lasting impressions and build brand loyalty. He argued that "offline" marketing should more appropriately be termed "mainstream," as the label "offline" diminishes its continued importance and relevance. Ramaswamy guided the audience through a journey of marketing evolution, emphasizing the critical role of in-person interaction in building trust. He also underscored the cultural significance of offline marketing in contemporary India.

Mrs. N A Sujatha, Marketing Manager of Brookefields Mall, provided a unique perspective on "Crafting Memorable Experiences - The Brookefields Approach to Experience Marketing". Mrs. Sujatha's session offered insights into the strategies employed by Brookefields Mall to create engaging and immersive experiences for shoppers. The session emphasized the role of customer experience in driving brand preference and fostering customer advocacy. She engaged the audience in a series of exercises to illustrate the significant influence of emotions on purchase decisions. Given that a mall is fundamentally an experience-driven business, she explained how every element, from layout and placement to events and programs, is carefully curated to enhance customer experiences. Sujatha also shared her personal experiences in developing various events at Brookefields Mall. Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of social responsibility and inclusivity in cultivating successful relationships with visitors.

The formal sessions concluded with திரு கே ஆர் நாகராஜன், தி கல்ச்சர்பிரனார் மற்றும் நிறுவனர் & தலைவர், ராம்ராஜ் காட்டன், presenting on "ஒரு கதை சொல்லுங்க சார் - பழமையைப் புதுமையாக்கிய ராம்ராஜ் வேஷ்டியின் மறுமலர்ச்சி" (Tell a story sir - The revival of Ramraj Veshti, which modernized tradition). This session offered a unique cultural perspective, exploring the successful revitalization of a traditional product through innovative marketing and branding. Sir spoke about the origin story of the Ramraj brand. He shared that the business began with his empathy for the weavers of Tirupur and his aspiration to improve their lives. The session was deeply touching and motivational. His journey to achieve recognition for the Indian veshti is unparalleled. He advised the audience and future business leaders that business is not solely about strategies but also about having a purpose. He emphasized the importance of forging a strong emotional connection with one's product and possessing the drive to uplift society. While acknowledging the significance of emotions, he also stressed the need for the ability to develop practical solutions that actualize those emotions. Through his insights, the audience gained a profound understanding of the importance of a brand story. According to him, a business should be built on the principles of நேர்மை (honesty), நியாயம் (justice), and உண்மை (truth).

The conclave culminated in a Valedictory Session featuring Mr. Shri Sandeep Singh, Interim Chairman, Board of Governors of the Indian Institute of Management Kashipur, who delivered a speech on "Ancient Wisdom, Future Disruption - India's Global Leadership". Mr. Singh's address provided a broader context for the discussions, connecting the principles of disruption to India's rich heritage and its potential for global leadership in the future. He spoke about the Indian way of conducting business. He used anecdotes, such as comparing a local vegetable vendor's practices to those of corporations, to illustrate the importance of preserving Indian values in business. His analogy of the "Samudra Manthan" (churning of the ocean) event as an early form of industrial activity that generated prosperity, pleasure, power, and some pollution was particularly insightful. He referenced an old Indian inscription that displayed price boards with both manufacturing costs and profit breakdowns, highlighting the historical honesty of Indian business practices. Singh also discussed the destructive nature of monopolies and the constructive role of ethics. His series of anecdotes took the audience on a journey through Indian business culture, leaving them inspired to embrace an Indian approach to business.

The Verandah Club is proud to be an online partner of this event that happened at the prestigious PSG Institute of Management. Marketry 2025 proved to be a resounding success. The conclave effectively highlighted the critical importance of disruption in today's marketing landscape and provided attendees with valuable insights and actionable strategies. By bringing together a diverse group of industry leaders and fostering engaging discussions, the event undoubtedly contributed to a deeper understanding of marketing's evolving nature and the need for continuous adaptation and innovation. The emphasis on ethical considerations, customer-centricity, and the blend of traditional wisdom with future-forward thinking further enriched the discourse, making Marketry 2025 a truly impactful and memorable event.

Vigneshwaran, Senior Correspondent of TheVerandahClub.com is both a skilled digital content writer, story teller and marketer by profession, as well as an avid independent writer driven by his passion. His literary talents extend to crafting beautiful poems and captivating short stories including the Sehwag Tales series. In addition to these creative pursuits, he has also authored a book titled "Halahala," which can be found on Wattpad.