Nilesh Thakkar launches The Real Media People

After being in the print and television media for nearly two decades, Thakkar has launched his own venture that will cater to the real estate sector.

Nilesh Thakkar has started his own venture, The Real Media People (TRMP) that will cater to the real estate industry. The consulting agency will provide full fledged marketing solutions to real estate players and act as a bridge between the advertising agencies and the real estate stakeholders. It will facilitate print, outdoor campaigns and television marketing using spots, non FCTs, paid features and other means.

Thakkar says, "There is a serious need for such an agency as the advertising people many a times do not understand the need of real estate developers and vice versa. So, it will help in strengthening the marketing campaigns for real estate projects."

He adds that the reason for the particular focus on the real estate sector is that it is still not fully explored by national and regional news channels.

TRMP will also lobby with investors and find stakeholders for projects of its clients. It has collaborated with several investor lobbies to help real estate players find funds for various projects. "Many people have already joined hands and are working with us; a few more are likely to work with us especially for the trading part," Thakkar informs.

Thakkar adds that as in print, television and outdoor media, several big advertisers get differential rates for the same programme or activity because of their bulk buying of spots. The investor lobby will do the same with its real estate ventures.

Thakkar has nearly 20 years of experience in media and has served at all levels starting from junior executive to director sales, marketing and many others. He has worked with both national and regional channels and print publications. He spent seven years in print with Manorama, Abhiyaan, Chitralekha and other publications, and 13 years in the broadcast media industry.

During his career, Thakkar has been associated with several media brands such as Zee, MCCS (Media Content & Communication Services), Mahuaa and TV9. At Zee TV, he worked as assistant vice-president, Zee Marathi, Zee Gujarati and Zee Bangla.

After Zee, Thakkar joined MCCS as regional manager in 2005. In 2007, he helped launch STAR Majha, and was promoted as assistant vice-president, national sales.

Later, in 2009, he was given additional charge to lead the events team at STAR News and STAR Ananda. In 2010, he became the all-India head for generating new businesses at STAR News and STAR Ananda. His stint with MCCS lasted for six years.

Thakkar quit MCCS to join the Mahuaa group as senior vice-president, national, in April, 2011. At Mahuaa, his mandate was to head the sales functions for the new channels from the Mahuaa stable, and also sell KBC in the regional space. Thakkar reported to Nikhil Seth, president, sales, Mahuaa Group.

Later, he moved to TV9 Maharashtra as senior vice-president, sales and marketing, national. His mandate at TV9 required him to generate new market revenues for the rest of Maharashtra through new verticals. He was also in charge of craft activations, AFPs, and 360 degree solutions to clients.