The Faculty
Our faculty members include highly influential players in the industry. In every course they teach, they bring their rich experience, knowledge and passion to the classroom. Get to know our talented team below, and feel free to reach out with questions.
Chockalingam S (Chocka)
Co-founder, Director -
OPN Advertising Private Limited
Chocka stumbled into advertising when Chennai was still Madras. From Lintas, Madras to JWT, Chennai and then LOWE, Delhi he had some adventurous stints everywhere he went. The day he realised he was becoming unemployable,
he OPN'ed his best innings yet. Today, fans across the world love to whistle every time an IPL team in yellow enters the ground. And OPN is to be blamed for it partially.
Yesudas S Pillai
Founder & CEO - Y&A
Transformation is a business leader with close to 3 decades of experience in the advertising, marketing and media domains. He helped launch agencies/consulting business for Lintas, Dentsu and scaled up existing ones for Trikaya Grey and RK Swamy BBDO and Initiative Global. A startup up mentor, jury on various national and global awards including spikes, Festival of media and member on various Industry bodies.
He is passionate about writing and teaching. Many of his articles have appeared in leading publications, like Economic Times. He is a regular speaker at various forums. He is an avid cyclist and marathon runner.
Anantha Narayanan
Founder & CEO - Y&A
A Mining Engineer, IIT Kharagpur turned B-school grad, XLRI turned sales manager turned account executive turned copywriter turned blogger turned columnist turned namer turned innovator turned entrepreneur turned consultant. Won over 60 regional, national, and international awards in advertising. 3-time winner of the 'Copywriter of the Year' title awarded by different Ad Clubs of India. Over 25 years of experience in leading Marketing and Advertising agencies in India.
Surej Salim
Co-founder & CEO -
Digitally Inspired Media
Over the past 10 years, he and his team launched many successful campaigns for the largest Television Networks, FMCG brands and FinTech companies from South India. His heart lies in the Media & Entertainment industry while his mind constantly pushes the envelope to improve employee EQ and make time spent working more purposeful every day. Surej was also awarded the '100 Smartest Digital Marketing Leaders' by the World Digital Marketing Congress. While he's not working, one can see him exploring street food, practising yoga, playing the guitar, dwelling on perfumes and its impact on the olfactory senses.
