afaqs! Pause - Udit Agarwal, VP and Global Head of Marketing, Exotel

Udit Agarwal, VP and Global Head of Marketing, Exotel

Udit Agarwal is a dynamic business leader who brings over two decades of business and marketing expertise to his roles as VP and Global Head of Marketing at Exotel. Here’s a little sneak peek into his workday, leadership mantra, and advice to young professionals.

The best part of my job is

The best part of my job is having the opportunity to innovate and solve real-world problems. At Exotel, I get to lead initiatives that transform disjointed customer conversations into seamless, humanised interactions. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies like generative AI, we're not just keeping up with the fast-paced digital landscape; we're setting the pace. 

My leadership mantra

My leadership mantra is rooted in being hands-on and realistic, with a strong belief in the power of collaboration and talent development. I'm always curious, eager to experiment, and inspired by the concept of ‘Leading from the Back.’ For me, effective leadership is about simplicity and practicality, delivering results without unnecessary complexity.

My career-defining moment

My career-defining moment was at UiPath, where I saw the company's ARR grow from $50 million to $1 billion in 48 months, solidifying my belief that marketing drives business outcomes. As a marketing leader, I've scaled businesses, led through chaos, and embraced the P&L co-owner role. My experience across start-ups, hypergrowth ventures, and companies like SAP, Adobe, and Autodesk has shaped my hands-on approach to building teams, managing stakeholders, and crafting impactful marketing strategies.

My advice to young professionals

My advice to young professionals is to embrace simplicity and resilience. Break down complex tasks into manageable steps for quicker problem-solving and execution. Adopt a mindset of failing fast and recovering faster—success is defined by how effectively you bounce back. These principles have guided me through challenges and helped me achieve my goals.

Books/movies/shows I re-read and re-watch

 I enjoy reading business books like Quiet Leadership by David Rock, The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins, and The 12 Powers of a Marketing Leader by Thomas Barta. I also love watching thrillers based on real events, such as Mindhunter, Zodiac, and Narcos, as well as music biopics like Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman, and sports dramas like The Last Dance and Moneyball. These resonate with me for their insights into leadership, perseverance, and ingenuity.

A recent ad campaign I liked

Apple's Shot on iPhone campaign stands out for its simplicity and authenticity. Rather than focusing on technical specs, it showcased stunning photos taken by everyday users, making the iPhone’s camera relatable and accessible. By turning user-generated content into powerful marketing, Apple humanised the brand, telling a story anyone with an iPhone could be part of.