Born To Be A Media Maven
She is a regular speaker at conferences and has been consistently ranked among the most influential women in media. Lara Balsara, now Executive Director at Madison World, has also played a role in crafting the growth strategy of Madison World and in evaluating the different areas of growth the agency can diversify and venture into. “The last 14 years have been amazing. Like a roller coaster with highs and lows and tremendous learning opportunities and growth professionally and personally,” says Balsara.
She joined Madison World as a management trainee in 2004 after completing her Masters in Marketing from Bristol University in England. She then had a client servicing role in the advertising unit of the agency. As Executive Director, Balsara has taken charge of diversification and her efforts have already borne fruit.
Today Madison World is a diversified communication group, with a billing of about Rs 3,000 crore. Balsara has evaluated the company’s venture into foreign countries and has initiated the process of Madison World venturing into areas like mobile and digital e-commerce.
Madison World has 24 units across 11 specialised functioning areas in advertising, media, business analytics, Out-of-Home, public relations, retail, entertainment, mobile and sports. Madison World currently employs more than 800 professionals across cities in Sri Lanka, Thailand and India. Balsara’s profile requires her to work with various Madison World units and aid them in business development, Human Resources and Legal.
Balsara is today known for her sharp business acumen and knowledge of business issues, but before she joined the media and communications company her father, Sam Balsara had founded, she was unsure of her future.
An exceptional business leader, Balsara has demonstrated that she is capable of taking her team along with her. Under her leadership, Madison World has launched MATES (Madison Teamworks and Entertainment Services). “The glass ceiling exists only in your mind,” says Balsara, “and sharply focusing on your job and tackling each day at a time is the best way to get ahead.”
