CMO Insights at Mitra: Reshaping the marketing landscape by Narin Shetty, Group President of Valueleaf Group

1. What inspired Valueleaf to create Mitra – The Chanakya Way, and how did they develop the
concept?
The idea of launching Mitra – The Chanakya Way was born out of a profound vision to create a
dedicated platform where marketing professionals could come together, share their expertise, and
collaborate on the best industry practices. Inspired by the ancient wisdom of Chanakya, who
emphasised strategic thinking, collaboration, and continuous learning, our founders, Satish and
Srikanth, envisioned fostering a community that encourages partnerships and the formation of
meaningful relationships.
Developing the concept involves integrating these core principles into a structured community that
provides an unparalleled forum for marketers to discuss emerging trends, share valuable insights,
and learn from each other experiences. The goal was to empower marketers across India, helping
them stay ahead in a fast-evolving industry through collective knowledge and collaboration. Mitra –
The Chanakya Way is a testament to our commitment to strategic thinking and innovation in the
marketing domain.
2. What were some of the most valuable insights or key learnings shared by the CMO panel at
Mitra – The Chanakya Way?

At Mitra – The Chanakya Way, the CMO panel highlighted key insights shaping the future
of marketing. They discussed how deep analytics and AI revolutionize strategies through
persona building, enabling advanced targeting and personalization. Emphasizing cross-
platform integration powered by analytics, the panel stressed the need for seamless customer
experiences and consistent engagement across channels. They highlighted the importance of
ethical data practices for transparency and trust, prioritizing privacy and consent.
The panel noted that data-driven approaches provide strategic foresight, helping marketing
leaders anticipate trends and plan long-term strategies. Understanding customer needs
through deep analytics is crucial for driving engagement and loyalty. These discussions
encouraged marketing professionals to share insights, learn from each other, and drive growth
in the industry.

3. Is Valueleaf considering expanding Mitra – The Chanakya Way to include other industries
beyond marketing? If so, which sectors might be of potential interest for future events?

Valueleaf is actively exploring opportunities to expand Mitra – The Chanakya Way beyond the
marketing sector. Our dedication to innovation and collaboration is not limited to marketing; we see
the potential for other industries to gain from the insights and connections this initiative provides.
While Mitra has established a strong presence in the martech and adtech spaces, we are evaluating
other sectors that could benefit from this community-driven approach. Potential areas for future
events include fintech, edtech, and healthcare, where strategic thinking is essential.
Valueleaf is focused on delivering exceptional value and creating transformative experiences for all
participants. Our goal is to make Mitra – The Chanakya Way a hallmark community across various
industries. By expanding our reach, we aim to bring together professionals from diverse fields,
allowing them to share best practices, build meaningful partnerships, and stay ahead of industry
trends.

4. Can you share which specific marketing channels or tactics (e.g., social media marketing,
influencer outreach) played a key role in the success of Mitra – The Chanakya Way?

An organic emailer approach, driven by the genuine needs of the market, has sparked the dawn of a
new era for the marketing community. This innovative strategy enabled marketers to connect with
MITRA, creating an unparalleled sense of community and collaboration. Moving away from
traditional closed-door events, marketers eagerly embraced an open forum to candidly share their
experiences, insights, and challenges with industry peers. This inclusive and transparent
environment not only facilitated invaluable knowledge exchange but also strengthened the bonds
among professionals. As a result, MITRA has become a pivotal force, uniting the marketing
community and leveraging their collective expertise to achieve unprecedented success. MITRA
signifies the beginning of a new era, where the marketing community thrives on shared knowledge,
mutual support, and collaborative growth.