‘Marketing is a game of selling commercial products by giving them a personalised touch’

His conception and inception skills transformed the marketing collateral across his firm. Meet Ayansh Sikarwar from the 2018 batch of Apeejay International School, Greater Noida. In a candid interview, he shares his words of wisdom for students wishing to pursue marketing.

What are you doing professionally now?

I am currently working as a Senior Executive at Univo, where I handle various aspects of marketing, including brand strategy, digital campaigns, and performance marketing. My role involves data-driven decision-making, content marketing, and leveraging AI tools to enhance marketing efforts.

Share some tips for students wanting to pursue marketing.

• Understand consumer behavior – Marketing is all about knowing your audience. Study how and why people make decisions.

• Be data-savvy – Analytics is a game-changer in marketing. Learn how to read data and derive insights.

• Stay updated – Marketing trends change rapidly. Follow industry news and case studies.

• Build storytelling skills – A great marketer is a great storyteller. Work on crafting compelling brand narratives.

• Gain hands-on experience – Intern, manage college events, or run a personal project to get real-world exposure.

What are the current trends in marketing that are popular?

• AI-driven marketing – Personalised recommendations, chatbots, and predictive analytics are shaping marketing strategies.

• Short-form video content – Platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts dominate engagement.

• Influencer marketing – Micro and nano influencers are gaining more traction over big celebrities.

• Sustainability & Purpose-Driven Marketing – Consumers resonate more with brands that stand for something beyond profits.

• Interactive & immersive experiences – AR/VR and gamification in campaigns are becoming more mainstream.

How has AI redefined marketing?

AI has transformed marketing by:

• Personalizing content at scale – AI helps brands tailor content to individual preferences.

• Automating customer interactions – Chatbots and AI-driven CRM systems enhance customer service.

• Optimizing ad targeting – AI improves ad placements and audience targeting for better ROI.

• Enhancing predictive analytics – Brands can forecast trends and consumer behavior more accurately.

• Generating content – AI tools assist in copywriting, video creation, and image generation.

Share your favourite nostalgia from Apeejay School.

One of my fondest memories is the Night Camp, a thrilling experience where all the enrolled students spent the entire day engaged in adventure activities like rappelling, zip-lining, zorbing, and many more. The excitement of staying overnight in the school, sharing stories, and having fun with friends made it an unforgettable experience. It was a perfect mix of adventure, bonding, and pure joy!

Your favorite extracurricular activities from school?

I enjoyed sports, especially basketball, football and table tennis. Whether it was competing in inter-house matches or just playing for fun, sports taught me teamwork, discipline, and perseverance, qualities that help in every aspect of life

Any special memories with the teachers there?

Yes! Some teachers went beyond textbooks to teach us valuable life lessons. They always encouraged me to think critically and push my creative boundaries, which has been invaluable in my career.

Any message for students of your school?

Enjoy your school years, they shape who you become! Be curious, participate in everything you can, and don’t fear failure; every mistake is a learning opportunity. The skills and friendships you build today will stay with you for life. Keep exploring and stay passionate!