My Internship at 20:20 Media, Chennai

Off late, I had been staying in Chennai for my internship at 20:20 Media, Chennai office. This is one of the top PR agencies of India and I must say I was really lucky to have got a chance of doing my internship at such a place. No doubt, when I am saying this, it means that I must have seen something unique in this agency which makes it different from other agencies. Of course, I have; the work culture and the approach towards life.

When I was in the first year of my MBA, I used to hear from my seniors and my faculties that the corporate world is a very tough place and one has to be “at his toes” all the time to meet the deadlines. Of course, that’s a big truth. But what makes all the difference is the approach towards your work – the way you look at it and the way you want to perform it.

The moment you enter the office of 20:20 Media, Chennai, you will feel that you have entered a club with all your friends around. The work load will of course be there, but the stress will go off at once. Gradually you will realize that this office is more like home. People helping each other, elders guiding the youngers, making fun, having lunch together, sharing the dishes and of course, offering true and sincere love for each other. Man, I miss that place…

I think I should sincerely compel myself to dedicate a full paragraph here, towards the work culture and working conditions of the office; otherwise, I will keep on writing about my pleasant memories and will jumble things up. Here it goes… -

To be short – the working condition is state-of-the-art. Digitally locked front door, executive standard furniture, split air-conditioners, computers with latest configurations, video conferencing facility, mini library – all add up to the comfort of working. The environment of the office itself gives you the confidence that you can finish off anything and everything which is assigned to you. The guidance of the seniors is such that it will drive you automatically to perform better. What I mean to say is that, in this office, the work load no more remains a load – it becomes enjoyment. More so, because you will learn here, how to love your clients as your own company. Rejoice at your clients successes, weep at their failures. I guess this is what makes 20:20 Media the top PR agency of India.

The practice of having training sessions on Friday mornings provide the employees with new insights and latest information on the industry. These sessions may take place within a branch or across all branches through video conferencing and webinars. The first day I witnessed this, I remembered a famous saying of the great dramatist, George Bernard Shaw – “You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, "Why not?" In that context, 20:20 Media has, no doubt, brought a silent revolution in the corporate working culture.

Apart from these, what I remember the most is the daily lunch together. Everybody would sit in the conference room with the director Mr. R. Narayanan (respected Naru Sir) at the head of the table – much like the way my father, as the head of the family, sits at the head of the table, when we have lunch at home. Then they will start sharing their dishes with one another. I must admit here that I rarely took part in this dish sharing since I was not very fond of South Indian dishes, apart from masala dosa. This was a big subject of humour in the office that how can a guy go on having masala dosa each and every day!!? He must be crazy (that’s me, of course…). Jokes apart, these lunch sessions together indeed imbibed extra warmth for one another.

All the people whom I met in this office; I hate to call them my colleagues. No – all of them are my real good friends. As such, I will try to describe them in my own way, with one liners (which Nikhila may judge as my “Last Impression” as well) –

Shankar – The Versatile Genius

Twinkle – The Magic Smile

Nikhila – The Erudite

Jaani – A real friend indeed

Nachu – A true gentleman

Vinita – Very very cute

Ambika – The symbol of Ceasefire

Shraddha – The real hard worker

Bala – The Zoozoo (as Naru sir aptly calls her)

Nishant – The KoooooooL guy

Balaji – Call him in the middle of the night and he is ready to help you

Ramya – Peace

Hema – Dainty

Naru sir – I am dazzled with his knowledge.

One last note – I really wish that someday I will be working in an office, where, after half a day of hard work, I will suddenly feel relieved hearing a voice calling out to everyone, “Guys, lunch…?”