Meraj Hasan ‘meem’ is a strategist, a poet & a music journalist. In his two decades of career as a strategist across Asia Pacific & GCC countries, he has built and shaped brands like Tata Sky, Airtel, Reliance Jio, Harpic, Cadburys, Pampers, Welspun and Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) to name a few.
He writes poetry under the pseudonym, ‘meem’. His first book of poems, ‘Khyaalon Ki Tapri’ (A Kiosk of Thoughts) became a bestseller on Amazon and stayed on charts for months. It also won several literary awards. Passionate about music, Meraj also writes a regular column on music for musicunplugged.com. He is proud of his vinyl collection & his 39 yrs. old Technics turntable.
He is currently working on his second book of poems, a bilingual called ‘Boondein / Drops’. Meraj lives in Dubai.
- Tell us about yourself and your academics?
I am a Marketing & Communications professional with a specialization in strategy. In the last 2 decades of my professional life, I have worked across Corporates & Advertising Agencies, building, and shaping brands across Asia Pacific, US & GCC countries.
I also have a creative side as a published poet and a music journalist.
Academically speaking, I majored in Physics in my graduation and my post-graduation was in Communications. But I feel, learning is a life-long process.
- Tell us about your work and about your passion, profession including achievements that you have till now.
I love building and shaping brands. It’s like nurturing and upbringing a living entity. And when the brands produce results in terms of revenue and gaining equity, it’s an immense feeling of satisfaction.
Art is the finest creation of mankind, and I am particularly passionate about poetry & music. I dabble in poetry and I write about music. I am also an amateur singer and use my voice, guitar & harmonica, occasionally, to carry a tune or two.
Professional achievements:
- Launched Tata Sky, Reliance Jio & Welspun Flooring in India and Airtel in Sri Lanka
- Shaped Airtel, P&G, Mondelez, Reckitt, DIFC in in Asia Pacific & GCC Countries
- Winner of Multiple Effie (Effectiveness in Advertising) Awards in Asia Pacific region
- Advisory Board Member
Creative achievements:
- My debut book of poems, Khyaalon Ki Tapri became an instant bestseller on Amazon India, peaking at no. 2 and remained in Top 50 for months. The book also won the LiFT literary award, 2022 in the poetry section.
- I am in the list of Inspiring Indians in 2022 by ne8x, a community of authors, mentors & life coaches in India
- Write on music regularly for a global music portal, www.musicunplugged.in
- What has been your good and bad experience about your journey?
I have had the good fortune of having some great mentors, starting with my fathe to my schoolteachers and the seniors at work. I was (and I am) also lucky to be a part of some great projects. Being at the right place at the right time has also worked for me.
On the creative side, I have learnt a lot from giants like Ghalib, Faiz, Cohen, Dylan, Neruda and many others. They are the Gurus who have shaped my thinking and craft.
I can’t say that there has been a bad experience in my journey because one learns from the bad experiences. And those experiences have enriched me as an individual, professionally and creatively.
- What message would you like to give our reader and all who dream to achieve so much like you?
Find good mentors.
Work hard on what you are good at. That’s a sure road to success and happiness.
Stay disciplined…create every day. Assign a certain time to the pursuit.
Keep having new experiences. Become a carpenter. Become a mandolin player.
Read good stuff. List of Top 100 books by The Guardian is a good start.
Watch good movies. Bergman, Kurosawa & Ray are a bloody good start.
Listen to good music. Beatles, Beethoven Bhimsen Joshi, Blues & Jazz
Keep expanding your horizons. Keep learning new stuff till you are alive.
Build relationships. They will help you throughout your life.
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
I think I will continue to shape and build successful brands and businesses.
There will certainly be more book of poems.
I am starting a podcast on brands & art.
There will be a play.
And I will have a radio show of my own – my dream job…to be an RJ