Ashwin Sivakumar

About

I am an independent consultant and fractional CMO based in Finland with over a decade of experience in leading and transforming marketing functions for startups and scaleups. I specialize in crafting and executing marketing strategies, driving SEO, content, social media, performance marketing and have been helping brands with community led growth for over a decade. With deep technical skills, I manage digital channels hands-on, build and scale marketing departments, and launch new initiatives. My expertise in strategic partnerships, community engagement, and thought leadership drives growth and strong market positioning.

Experience

• Founding Partner and Advisor · JugularSocial09-01-2023

  I provide strategic guidance, leveraging my deep expertise in digital marketing, brand strategy, and business growth to support the agency's new direction. This allows me to contribute to high-level decision-making while pursuing new passions and interests. I co-founded this boutique agency in India in 2010

• Startup Mentor · Stanford Seed08-01-2023

  Volunteer Marketing Consultant to Stanford Seed Startups and Mentor for a startup at Seed Spark Accelerator, South Asia

• Startup Mentor · Tech Nordic Advocates03-01-2024

  Mentoring startups and providing guidance in the Tech Nordic Advocates network.

• Business Partner- Boardio India · BOARDIO05-01-2021 – 04-01-2024

  Boardio is a platform that helps enterprises and startups find skilled advisors and board members in key areas of business. Led UX/UI Revamp: Spearheaded the conceptualization and development of a new web design experience for Boardio, enhancing usability for companies, advisors, and corporate pages, driven by in-depth persona analysis. Strategic PR Partnerships: Forged strategic public relations partnerships in India, increasing brand visibility and establishing Boardio’s presence in a key emerging market. India Market Expansion: Developed and executed a comprehensive expansion blueprint for Boardio’s entry into the Indian market, aligning growth strategies with regional opportunities. Content & Social Media Strategy: Crafted and implemented content strategies, including social media creatives, carousels and handbooks, to boost user engagement and brand authority. Growth Leadership: Demonstrated expertise as a marketing leader and growth expert, driving Boardio’s India penetration and positioning.

• Growth Advisor · Logically AI05-01-2021 – 11-01-2022

  Logically is a tech company that develops advanced AI to fight misinformation at scale. I helped create the vertical blueprint for Logically's healthcare use cases and opportunity areas. Piloted the blueprint in India. I opened doors and warm conversations for product market fit feedback with reputed healthcare enterprises, IT/Telecom ministries, public health organizations. Anchored an important pilot for Logically's AI technology with a leading hospital group.

• Co-Founder, CMO and Head of Strategic Accounts · JugularSocial01-01-2010 – 09-01-2023

  JugularSocial is a digital agency that works with a selected group of organizations during key inflection points to lay growth blueprints for scalable digital business and marketing operations. Co-Founded & Scaled: Established and grew a boutique digital agency from the ground up, specializing in digital marketing, organic growth, social media, advertising, and brand strategy, serving a diverse client base over 13 years. Focus areas included supporting brick-and-mortar enterprises and SMBs in healthcare and real estate, as well as B2B enterprise software/SaaS companies transforming traditional sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and education. Strategic Leadership: Directed the agency’s strategic vision, driving significant business growth, innovation, and client retention. Team Building & Mentorship: Built and mentored a high-performing team, fostering a culture of creativity and excellence. Client Success & Retention: Led major client engagements, delivering impactful campaigns and solutions that consistently exceeded client expectations.

• Director- Marketing · Genelogic (After acquisition by Ocimum Biosolutions)06-01-2008 – 01-01-2010

  Marketing Department Leadership: Structured and developed the Marketing department, implementing processes, performance metrics, and budget planning to optimize efficiency and impact. Post-Acquisition Integration: Played a pivotal role in integrating marketing efforts and teams following GeneLogic’s acquisition by Ocimum Biosolutions, ensuring seamless alignment with organizational goals and enhancing cross-departmental collaboration. Strategic Alignment: Aligned marketing strategies and activities with broader organizational objectives, ensuring that all plans and practices were consistent with company goals. Strategic Alliances & Partnerships: Envisioned and managed strategic alliances and partnerships, driving growth and expanding market reach. Brand Positioning & Communication: Led positioning efforts, media relations, and outreach plans to elevate brand presence and reputation. Innovative Marketing Initiatives: Developed and launched new marketing concepts, initiatives, and sales tools, driving innovation within the department. Community & Customer Engagement: Evolved community and customer engagement models across online, physical, and telephonic channels to enhance interaction and loyalty. Thought Leadership & Events: Built relationships with scientific thought leaders and the Scientific Advisory Board, while also managing event strategies and delivering talks at key conferences, seminars, and events. Marketing Portfolio Development: Expanded the marketing portfolio by identifying branding opportunities, driving the advertising calendar, and leading negotiations to maximize ROI. Cross-Departmental Campaigns: Conceptualized and executed cross-departmental positioning campaigns and product launches to drive cohesive messaging and market penetration.

• Head of Marketing · Ocimum Biosolutions02-01-2007 – 01-01-2010

  Leadership & Department Development: Established and structured the marketing department from the ground up, creating processes, performance metrics, and budget planning to drive efficiency and effectiveness in a key scale-up phase. Digital Strategy & Organic Growth: Led comprehensive digital strategies, including innovative ad campaigns and organic growth initiatives, significantly enhancing the company’s online presence and customer engagement. Genomic Pioneers Community & Awards: Conceptualized and launched "Genomic Pioneers," one of the first curated online communities for genomics leaders, and spearheaded the "Genomic Pioneers Awards," which played a crucial role in establishing the company’s thought leadership and brand positioning. Strategic Alliances & Partnerships: Envisioned and managed strategic alliances, forging collaborations in new application areas and developing key marketing partnerships, such as the "Ocicards" loyalty program, which drove growth in new markets like Europe. Community & Customer Engagement: Innovated and evolved engagement models across online, physical, and telephonic channels, deepening relationships with customers and the scientific community. Brand Development & Communication: Led brand development initiatives, marketing communications, and media relations, positioning the company as a leader in the genomics space through targeted outreach and thought leadership. Sales Collaboration & Regional Positioning: Worked closely with sales teams to develop region-specific positioning plans, ensuring alignment between marketing strategies and go-to-market objectives. Market Analysis & Product Development: Conducted in-depth market analysis, identifying new opportunities, industry trends, and competitive products, translating insights into potential product development and strategic initiatives. Event Strategy & Thought Leadership: Managed event strategies, including stall design and speaking engagements at key conferences

• Venture Institute Cohort 1 Fellow · Venture Institute07-01-2023 – 09-01-2023

  The VCLab's Venture Institute grooms the best and brightest minds to break into the venture capital industry. Only ~10% of applicants were accepted in the 1st Cohort. Completed the program at top of the cohort. Participants included aspiring venture capitalists, venture partners, venture builders and associates.

Education

• University of LeedsMaster's Degree, Bioinformatics
• Questrom School of Business, Boston UniversityBUx Certificate, Digital Transformation Strategy
• Harvard UniversityHarvardX Certificate, Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies
• University of HelsinkiDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) (Discontinued), Bioinformatics (Major)/Strategy Planning and International Business (Minor)
• University of MadrasBachelor's Degree
• Pentasoft TechnologiesCertificate, Information Technology

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