‘I was made for copywriting’

Akriti Bansal, currently working as trainee copywriter at McCann Worldgroup Ad Agency, is one of the rare people who is interested in the idea and the process that went behind creating the ‘n’ number of ads we see on the television or mobile screens.

In an exclusive interview, the Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication (AIMC) alumnus mentions how she was always fascinated by advertisements and also hopes to make it big in this field. Edited excerpts:

What does a day at work look like?

We get a lot of briefs. I have to write the headlines and the baselines. I also get ample opportunities to write TVC scripts as well. This makes me feel very lucky that I am getting such a great opportunity in my first job itself. It is truly amazing. Apart from the work, the environment at the office is very nice, we have a lot of fun amongst us colleagues.

What inspired you to join an ad agency?

It’s a long story. To say in a nutshell. I don’t come from an advertisement background. I come from a medical background, I then switched to Home Science. It was in college that I had a subject called Advertising and Public relations.  It was then when I felt a calling that I needed to try the field of advertisement. I did an internship in it as well, and there I realised that I am meant for copywriting. I wanted to make this my career.

I love copywriting. Whenever I see ads on TV, I always wonder what would have been the idea behind the ad. It fascinates me a lot. Also, I love to explore new things every day. In advertising and copywriting, I get a new challenge in the form of new briefs every day. I have to complete them within tight deadlines. It is very exciting as a job.

Best memories from AIMC days?

We were a dual i.e. both online and offline batch due to the pandemic. So that was a new experience. I studied advertising and market communications as part of the batch of 2022. The lectures were very amazing. In the final days of our course, we students would watch so many creative ads and movies in the class. AIMC has a lovely campus and such skilled professors. The campus is a ‘chilled out zone’.

We would often sit outside the college, there were such lovely chai tapris and cafes. I enjoyed it a lot there with my friends.

One piece of advice for the current AIMC students?

At AIMC, all professors give you ample opportunities to learn and excel. It is up to you on how you crack the opportunities and progress ahead. AIMC is totally committed to its motto: ‘Soaring high is my nature’, now it is up to you how you utilise your time and opportunities.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Well, either holding an advertising award or that my parents travel by road and see an ad hoarding and feel proud to know that the copy has been written by their daughter.