24 hours with... Sonia Khurana

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: Sonia Khurana

Job: COO, Digitas India

My mantra: Stay curious, keep an open mind, and have fun

5am: Pop-up toaster! Some days I spring out of bed like crisp bread from a toaster; on other days, I have to really drag myself. I head straight to the kitchen where I first make fresh food for my son to take to school. I could outsource this job, but I will not. IYKYK! Mornings are a buzz in the household and if you were to come to join in the madness, you’ll find yourself singing aloud the head-banger ‘Invincible’ by Skillet! That’s my son’s current favourite song.

7am: Chug-along in solitude! I like to beat the traffic and take an early train. Travel to work time is me time. I read, listen to a podcast or take a nap. I also love watching people and eavesdropping - it keeps me in touch with the real world!

8:30am: Oven-stewing! I’m usually the 1st one at work. Start my day with breakfast and coffee. Use the time to organise my day. This is a time I absolutely hate being interrupted. Me, myself, and a ticking brain. 

9:30am to 1pm: Tick, tock, tick, past, present, futureproofing! Meeting with clients, meeting with teams, reviewing, brainstorming, having a heart-to-heart conversation, writing decks, planning ahead, sometimes dousing fires and cursing. No two days are the same! 

1pm: Tummy Rumble in the Jungle! Lunchtime. Sacred time. Love the chit-chat at the lunch table. Can’t do without it. Helps ease into the 2nd half. 

2-7pm: Tick, tock, tick, past, present, futureproofing! Meeting with clients, meeting with teams, reviewing, brainstorming, having a heart-to-heart conversation, writing decks, planning ahead, sometimes dousing fires and squeezing a chai-time chat. No two days are the same!

7:30pm: Delightful sundowners! Most days, head back home (mostly working en route) to have dinner and chit-chat with my family. Some days, hang out with colleagues outside work. I think getting to know your colleagues and team informally is essential. 

10pm: Time to call it a day! Put my son to sleep, read a little and think about the day before dozing off.