Ankita Nandkeolyar — Co-Founder

I am the Founder and Chief Brand Strategist of Firebrand, a branding and marketing consultancy based in Pune with a global reach. As a seasoned brand builder, I have established Firebrand as a transformative studio that helps brands discover innovative solutions through insightful designs and research-driven strategies. My expertise as a brand strategist is rooted in crafting narratives that deeply resonate with audiences, driving long-term results. Since founding Firebrand in 2015, I have worked with notable clients like Atlas Copco Group, Walko Foods - NIC Ice Cream, Rio Innobev - Rio Cold Drinks, and more. My client-centric ethos and dedication to meaningful connections have solidified Firebrand's reputation as a trusted partner in brand development. My journey began in advertising, where I honed my skills on campaigns for top Indian companies. My international experience with brands like Diesel and MaxMara in Italy provided me with a global perspective on branding. Before Firebrand, I managed Levi’s legwear category for the Asia-Pacific region at Renfro Corporation, introducing the brand into emerging markets. My commitment to branding and my role as a brand strategist continue to drive my mission to build impactful and resonant brands worldwide. Achievements: 2017: Honored as one of the '100 Most Influential MarTech Leaders in India' by the World Marketing Congress. 2018: Recognized as one of the '25 Most Promising Women Consultants' by Consultant Review magazine. 2021: Distinguished as one of Pune's Women Leaders by the World Women's Leadership Congress. 2022: Awarded the ‘Outstanding Leadership Award’ at the World Marketing Conference in Dubai for her contributions in marketing and advertising. Firebrand's Achievements: Multiple Awards at India's Best Design Awards and Afaq's Foxglove Awards. 2017: Top Pune-based startups to watch out for by Punekar 2018: Adobe FoxGlove Awards for 'Best Brand Design'; India's Best Design Awards for 'Best Strategic Design' (for the brand - Plumage) by Pool Magazine 2019: India's Best Design Awards for 'Best Strategic Design' (for both the brands - Fabogo and Guto's) by Pool Magazine 2020: Named 'Best Brand Design Studio - 2020' by Design India Magazine 2020: Afaq FoxGlove Awards for 'Best Packaging Design (for the brand - NIC Ice-cream) Additional Recognitions: Recognized by the Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan as a leader in the field, invited to participate in their mentorship program to inspire and guide aspiring students.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a MarTech expert with a strong focus on branding and strategic marketing.

Location: Pune City, Maharashtra, India

Experience: 17 yrs 4 mos

Skills

Brand Strategy
Branding
Brand Management
Brand Development

Career Highlights

Founder of a transformative branding consultancy.
Recognized as a top MarTech leader in India.
International experience with renowned brands.

Work Experience

Firebrand Global

Founder & Chief Brand Strategist (10 yrs 10 mos)

Renfro Corporation

Brand Manager, Asia Pacific & India (1 yr 9 mos)

Piccolo Teatro di Milano

Brand Development (International Markets) (2 mos)

Jaibin - The New Media Factory

Consultancy - Digital Marketing (2 mos)

MAK Media & Creations

Account Manager (4 yrs 8 mos)

Education

Masters in Brand Strategy & Management at Istituto Europeo di Design

Bachelor of Arts at Fergusson College

Ankita Nandkeolyar

Co-Founder

Pune City, Maharashtra, India17 yrs 4 mos experience

Most Likely To SwitchHighly Stable

Key Highlights

Founder of a transformative branding consultancy.
Recognized as a top MarTech leader in India.
International experience with renowned brands.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a MarTech expert with a strong focus on branding and strategic marketing.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Brand StrategyBrandingBrand ManagementBrand Development

Other Skills

Business StrategyExperienceActivationMarket AnalysisMarketing PlanningMarketing StrategyPositioning (Marketing)RebrandingAdvertisingCorporate BrandingNew Business DevelopmentPublic RelationsCorporate IdentityCorporate CommunicationsSocial Media Marketing

About

Experience

Firebrand global

Founder & Chief Brand Strategist

May 2015 – Present · 10 yrs 10 mos · Pune

We are an Independent studio crafting future-ready business narratives through Strategy & Design.
Meaningful brands have the power to make a difference in the world and impact real lives by bringing about cultural shifts, inspiring generations, and contributing to a better world.
Our services are centered around fostering this change:
Business Strategy
Branding
Experience
Activation
From Thought to Impact - let’s see it through : https://firebrand.co.in/services/

BrandingBrand Strategy

Renfro corporation

Brand Manager, Asia Pacific & India

Jan 2013 – Oct 2014 · 1 yr 9 mos · Pune Area, India

Brand Portfolio: Levi's, Walt Disney, U.S.P.A, United colors of Benetton, Adidas, Warner Brothers, Reebok.
Develop Marketing plans by licensed brands across countries to ensure that overall brand strategy is aligned with the mother brand globally.
Work on product/packaging/pricing/positioning, matrix by brand, by country & by retail channel
Work on a marketing calendar by brand, and work closely with design, Renfro sales teams and Distributors.
Analysis of market forces, competition, and consumer preferences and competitor price points across the region.
Marketing plan presentations, to key retailers in key countries and to the licensors.
Promotional schemes, below and above the line advertising plans, as per advertising and promotional spend allocated for the brand.
Work closely with advertising firms, to help design product display fixtures and point of sale material, to help visually merchandise product.
Providing critical inputs for business plan preparations and working closely with sales.

BrandingBrand Management

Piccolo teatro di milano

Brand Development (International Markets)

May 2012 – Jul 2012 · 2 mos · Milan Area, Italy

Responsible for Marketing the foreign productions (season 2012 - 2013) at Piccolo teatro di Milano among a completely International clientele.
Key objective includes - Positioning Piccolo teatro di Milano as not just a cultural icon, but also an international cross-border educational experience for young audiences.

BrandingBrand Development

Jaibin - the new media factory

Consultancy - Digital Marketing

Jan 2012 – Mar 2012 · 2 mos · Milan Area, Italy

Planned & Managed the digital marketing for the launch of a book in the United States Market - P.O.Box Love by Paola Calvetti (St.Martin’s Press)

Mak media & creations

Account Manager

May 2006 – Jan 2011 · 4 yrs 8 mos · Pune Area, India

ACCOUNT MANAGER (July 2009 - January 2011)
Managing accounts across various industry verticals, and developing strategic programme
activity and budgets with clients.
Generating new business and playing an active role in business development.
Keeping abreast of an ever-changing marketplace to review the impact on program and client
objectives. Simultaneously maintaining existing accounts with strategic overviews, proactive
advice to clients on new issues/external environment, and contribution to strategic planning
meetings.
Leading teams and motivating individuals to perform in any environment and instigating
brainstorming sessions to approach accounts from a variety of creative and strategic angles.
Ensuring staff ownership and responsibility for projects for all team members.
CLIENT SERVICING (May 2008 - June 2009)
CLIENT SERVICING EXECUTIVE (May 2006 - August 2007)