Professional Experience
Founder & CEO
February 2014 - Present (12+ years)- Founded and scaled a 300-person creative, content and technology company
- Built presence across broadcast, OTT, sports and film marketing space
- Expanded services to enterprise clients across India, MENA, UK, and US
- Pioneered influencer marketing and AI-led experiences
- Manages celebrity digital interests and creator ecosystems
Senior Manager, Marketing
September 2011 - January 2014- Marketing head for BIG RTL THRILL channel launch
- Led distribution & monetization of content on digital platforms
- Responsible for trade and distribution marketing initiatives
- Led digitization transition for the RBNL network
- In-charge of all digital initiatives for 5-channel television business
Brand Manager
June 2008 - August 2011- Developed launch and sustenance strategies for fiction and reality shows
- Managed multi-channel marketing (Outdoor, Print, Television, Digital, Radio)
- Conceptualized creative communication campaigns
- Facilitated tie-ups with allied organizations
- Studied TAM data to project growth patterns
Areas of Expertise
Core service areas where this leader drives strategy and execution
Content Production
End-to-end production — films, reels, photography and social content
Digital Transformation
Web platforms, dashboards and data systems for smarter operations
Influencer Management
Full-service talent management and influencer marketing
Social Media
Always-on social strategies and community management
Academic Background
Awards & Recognition
Key Achievements
Notable milestones and measurable impact
Full Biography
Harikrishnan Pillai comes with more than 18 years of experience in marketing and advertising. He founded TheSmallBigIdea, a full-service, independent digital agency, in 2014, along with Manish Solanki. Before TSBI Hari has worked with brands like Zee network & Reliance broadcast. His role at TSBI includes driving organizational growth and creative strategy. Over the last decade, the agency has managed to create a substantial presence in the broadcast, OTT, sports and film marketing space. In the last 5 years, the agency has landed this understanding to categories beyond entertainment, like banking, FMCG, fashion, and e-commerce, among others. In recent years, the agency has also made a serious foray into ad films and influencer marketing. Ads for brands like DHL, GreatWhite Electricals, Zydus Lifesciences and Ashok Leyland are shaping TSBI's full-service ad agency avatar. Managing the digital interests of celebrities like Ajay Devgn, Aaman Devgn has also shaped the celebrities and creator services at TSBI. Hari wears multiple hats, including that of an early-stage investor and that of a speaker on youth issues, innovation, and leadership. He's served as a jury member for reputed events and has been invited as a speaker to various events and awards, where he shares insights and knowledge with eager audiences. Hari comes with an MBA and a diploma degree in innovation and design from Sweden. He has been on the academic boards for media studies at leading schools and does occasional lectures and workshops at various B-schools in Mumbai. He has been associated actively with Rotary International for about two decades and has held critical positions in the state, national and international councils of Rotaract.