WP3 Ritu Singhal by Singhal, Ritu

My Story

singha50 — 2023-11-07 22:54:11 UTC

I have always known for as long as I can remember, I love acting, the theatre and cinema. I have tried to write scripts, put up plays for my family and then eventually have been an active part of the theatre community at school. I used my experience with theatre as an instrument for Social Change. The issues I referenced in my art, relating to power and oppression using guiding tactics from Augusto Boal's, 'Theatre of the Oppressed' were helpful in guiding the financially underprivileged to gain power in a difficult situation.

Growing up in an initially orthodox family, I saw firsthand the influential power of cinema to affect public opinion on topics such as Gender, Sexuality, Women's rights, the true meaning of freedom of speech, Sexual harassment and many more such difficult conversations that suddenly became easier to talk about and have an open dialogue for. I have seen it bridge the gap between cultures, and countries and play an essential role in Globalisation. To be a part of this industry and my passion for acting has been well heard and fought for. To follow one's passion is a daily struggle against the doubt and uncertainty we all go through but finding the one thing you will always stand up for no matter how muddy the road gets.

As I have moved countries, this passion stays strong, however as financial responsibilities increase and the duty to provide not only for oneself but also one's family arises, I considered the option of exploring the Marketing major at Broad. During my time at college, I can utilise my resources to the fullest and apply for a second major in marketing to add that safety layer of financial independence I so crave.

My Interview

singha50 — 2023-11-08 00:05:11 UTC

For my interview, I reached out through a friend to interview Bobby Salerno, the current Head of National Accounts at SHOC Energy. He has a vast array of experience in Sales, Marketing and Events for several energy drink companies, the biggest being Monster Energy.

What I learned from the interview

singha50 — 2023-11-08 03:28:17 UTC

I feel as to most of what Mr Salerno addressed with respect to communication both formal and informal is essential in understanding the way the company functions and what works for that particular department. I also learned there's a lot more of learning that occurs after graduating and when you actually start working. I love that most of communication needs to be short and sweet and also actionable. I feel as though that is important in terms of developing styles of communication.

Pink

singha50 — 2023-11-08 03:33:28 UTC

I specifically remember the moment when media became a huge thing for me was when I went to watch the movie 'Pink', with my mom. I was always told what to wear, how to maintain distance from men, not leave home without a man and things like that. I was told not to make my own choices or live my life according to me but this movie spoke of sexual harassment where the issues of 'Oh but she was wearing this', or 'Oh but she was too friendly! She gave the wrong signals.' were talked about and the movie captured how blind and simply disgusting these views are and how they oppress 50% of the population. When we went home after, we discussed how important it is to stand up for oneself and one's beliefs. Also how to practice your beliefs in daily life.

Why Marketing?

singha50 — 2023-11-08 03:39:50 UTC

I thought of how most of what we learn is how to make sellable art aka 'commercial' as well as trying to keep it authentic to the artists' message and finding the fine line that does both. When you think of the movies of 'BarbenHeimer', personally I believe the cinematic value rose merely due to effective marketing. The art you create has to be seductive enough to a mass audience for them to want to indulge in it, yet authentic enough for them to stick through the experience.

This brought me to try to analyse my audience or market on a deeper level and understanding what is it in promotional strategies that 'sells'? This curiosity is what drives my exploration of marketing.

What stuck out to me in the interview.

singha50 — 2023-11-08 03:46:01 UTC

Recent forms of learning have been very structured leaving little space for exploration. For example, professional presentations, while they are necessary to lay the groundwork of information required to engage in discussion. It is crucial to have an open-dialogue informal talk to enable discovery of any kind.

Candid Career Kunal Nayyar

singha50 — 2023-11-08 03:56:23 UTC

I resonate with everything that has been said about camera and stage acting. What I didn't know is that Big Bang Theory was shot in front of a live audience in three hour shoots for entire episodes. While this is intimidating I would love to be a part of something similar with the challenge of combining two worlds. 'There is nothing new under the sun', and 'all artists steal' are two quotes I find inspiring in ways where we all learn from different avenues and experiences in life and are a mosaic of those experiences that is our talent and instrument to share with the world and keep the cycle going.

Candid Career Jane Peterson

singha50 — 2023-11-08 04:29:59 UTC

Having worked for a digital media firm in the past, Howl, Mumbai. I completely understand when Jane says social media is a lot of the target forms of marketing in the current age. I was a content writer for several MNC's as well as rising startups. Through this amazing internship I also had the chance to work with PSI India, and the Women of India collective, PNG, DBS, Chillies, BioDerma, BareNecessities and several others. I did a lot of work for Social Media as well as SEO and Meta-descriptions. Having had this experience I do know I love the industry and the creative aspect of it.

Marketing:

singha50 — 2023-11-08 18:05:12 UTC

Alexandra Hauser

Contact:

648 N. Shaw Lane, Room 50
East Lansing, MI 48824

517-884-6679

MSU Librarians

singha50 — 2023-11-08 18:05:26 UTC

Theatre

singha50 — 2023-11-08 18:07:32 UTC

Michael Rodriguez

contact

rodri171@msu.edu

singha50 — 2023-11-08 18:09:26 UTC

MSU Clubs

singha50 — 2023-11-08 18:11:21 UTC

MSU Filmmakers Club - My favourite part is the film challenges they post every month.

MSU Women in Business- I enjoy women supporting women.

MSU BISC- I am a part of The International student council in Business and is a vibrant community.

MSU 2day Venture- I have attended this event twice and absolutely love it.

HerCampus@MSU- I am currently a freshie at this club and have been wanting to go to meeting maybe after this semester as they meet on Tuesdays. It is a creative writing club.

ASMSU - I am currently a GA rep for the College of Arts and Letters.

SecondStage- A student run Theatre club

FREE - rights for Easter European Women

Voice Club for Voice Actors.

Reflection

singha50 — 2023-11-08 19:46:48 UTC

While I am aware of my reasons for being a million miles from home and am required to remind myself of these every morning. I was able to form more coherent thoughts on specifically where in marketing I would begin exploring. What kind of communication matters for discovery to be made between peers or mentors and mentees and how do presentations help in bringing everyone to the same page of information?

It also melded my timeline history and future plans very well to see what events informed what. I enjoyed the process of learning how to use this feature on Padlet and I'm excited to share it with you.

Some challenges were finding someone to interview and I also fell terribly sick during the course of this project. I stuck through it and asked a friend for help on the same, which is how I managed to secure an interview with Bobby Salerno. All in All, I think it turned out well and it was an exciting project that gave me some more clarity on my passions and how they grow and meld along the way.