‘My love for literature & writing started from Apeejay’

In an industry racing to hand every task to AI, Vrinda Sehgal— an alumna of Apeejay School who passed out in 2015 — has built an eight-year career on the opposite instinct. She protects the writing first, and lets the tools amplify it later. Today, as Group Head of Creative at digital advertising agency Social Panga, she shapes brand identity for names ranging from Hyundai Motor India to hospital and spirits brands. But she traces her love for language back to Apeejay School, Nerul

What are some of your fondest memories of your time at the school?

There were times when my friends and I would just jog around the corridors and stay back after practices on annual days, those are some of my fondest memories. But if I had to pick a real highlight, it would be becoming a prefect in Class 11. I didn’t see it coming. We were taken to the Principal office, and he recognised each person individually. That moment stands out because the man I looked up to gave me that recognition back. He always had an open door, and that’s a big part of why I still remember school with so much fondness.

If you had to describe your school life in three words, what would they be?

Recognition, creativity and inspiration. Those are the three things that stayed with me the longest.

What did you enjoy most about being a student here?

Writing, without question. I got to take part in a writing contest while I was at school and ranked third in an all-India story-writing competition. That win gave me a push I really needed. We also had a school magazine, which was one of the few outlets for creative writing at the time.

How would you describe the teachers who taught you, and how has their contribution played out in your professional journey?

My love for literature genuinely came from my teachers at school. These teachers noticed where my talent lay, and they gave me the push and constant encouragement. They were the reason I was able to take part in that all-India story-writing competition.

Beyond that, my love for authority came from the Principal. His open-door approach shaped the kind of manager I try to be today.

Apart from academics, what important lessons did the school teach you?

That academics isn’t just about scoring marks in Math or Science — English and creative expression mattered just as much. My teachers looked beyond the usual markers of talent, like sports, and recognised the other places where students could express themselves creatively. That recognition, given on time, ended up steering my entire career direction. It influenced my choice of graduation subject and later my master’s as well.

Where are you working currently, and what is your job role?

I’m currently a Group Head of Creative at Social Panga, a digital advertising agency. My day-to-day revolves around planning digital brand strategy across multiple brand categories — including names like Hyundai Motor India, a hospital brand, and a gym brand, among others in my portfolio. I lead a team that’s responsible for the creative output of these brands across both digital and mainline media. From what goes out on social media to what happens at product launches — essentially building out brand identity for several brands at once.

After school, I did my BA in English Honours and started working almost immediately after graduation as a Junior Copywriter. About a year in, I enrolled in a master’s programme in Integrated Marketing Communications. This really levelled up into the world of advertising. It’s been eight years since, across a fairly varied set of roles — journalism, PR and influencer marketing included — before I found my place in advertising, where I get to shape how a brand is represented and communicated across channels.

Young aspirants who want to enter advertising, what would you say?

Every job has its own challenges, and advertising adapts so quickly with digital trends that you constantly have to evolve — that’s what makes it interesting and tough at once. For a novice, I’d say stay adept with the technology that’s coming up, but don’t forget that at the very core of creativity in advertising is writing. 

Depending too much on AI tools for your creativity won’t help anybody. Don’t rule out your pen and paper — that’s where every idea begins. AI can only help you amplify an idea; it can’t help you think or build it.