24 hours with... Abhirup Datta

Ever wondered what an ideal day in the life of someone from advertising/marketing/media is? We're here to spill the beans on it.

Every Tuesday, we'll have a person from the advertising/marketing/media industry profiled in this section.  

Name: Abhirup Datta

Job: head - AVOD marketing, Zee5

Professional and personal mantra: Carpe diem 

6:30am: Waking up early helps me draw the maximum out of the 24 hours. I always try to spend some moments with nature first thing in the morning. This enables me to navigate the day more effectively and energetically. I prepare my day’s to-do list and generate/create the momentum to accomplish the tasks at hand.

7:30 to 8:30am: It is my morning workout time. Either I hit the gym or head to the tennis court for a rigorous game. The endorphin release sets the pace for me for the day – with energy, positivity and excitement that lasts through the day – and our days at the workplace are long – I can tell you that.

8:45am: It's time for some wholesome breakfast. I ensure it is the heaviest meal of the day. It is usually eggs and toast, soaked nuts, smoothie containing all ingredients rich and healthy. I browse through my online news portals, for political and business news. It’s a great breakfast accompaniment and allows me to gather all relevant information.

9:30am: Ready, get set, and off to work! My day usually starts with high-octane team meetings. It’s a great way to set the pace for yourself and the team. I start with a review of the previous day/week’s accomplishments and review the performance metrics, aligning action points and having brainstorming sessions all of which goes well into noon. Having spent a chunk of my career in this industry, I still feel excited every day to see the avenues it offers for creative exploration. 

Usually, I have a working lunch which is nourishing, easy to eat and filling. It usually comprises greens and veggies and some lean meat. All of which are aimed at boosting energy levels to tackle the hectic day. I try to wrap up the meetings by 6:00pm.

6–8pm: I dedicate the last two hours to planning, analysing, strategising and chalking out action points, assigning responsibilities, and examining and reviewing the business metrics to prepare for the next day. This time is an absolute must for me. This is my quiet time to do most of my thinking work.

8-10pm: I am mostly done by 9:00pm. When I am not travelling, 9pm onwards is family time. That is basically my wife and my mother. My wife is an independent coaching consultant, and we have many interesting and stimulating discussions over dinner. 

10pm: I absolutely have to read before bedtime. My reading interests and library is pretty vast. From Sci-fi to historical accounts, to mythology…. Recent books that have impacted me include Thinking Fast and Slow, Fooled by Randomness, Phantoms in the brain, and Outliers. I also like to draw. I am a graphic artist by hobby and love giving expression to my thoughts and ideas through art. Oh, and if there is an interesting cricket game or soccer league going on, then I make those days an exception and watch the conclusion! On most days of the month, I try to avoid screen time for 30 mins before signing off.