My Story

Intro

With the largest English Daily circulating at only 30,000 copies every day, the English readership is very limited in Bangladesh. There are 115 regular magazines with only one popular lifestyle magazine existing in Bangladesh. Only fashion catalogues sell in the market and the young readers’ interest has also turned largely towards lifestyle and less into socio –political development of Bangladesh. Mishu is changing the media landscape in Bangladesh by launching Purple with one objective in mind – to bring in a blend of glamour, freshness and positivism in presenting Bangladesh that young and old writers and readers would be proud to be associated with.

About Me

I am one of those lucky ones whose daily workload includes all the things I love. Currently, my work areas include: Editor of PURPLE magazine, CEO of MATR – a communication research & training firm, TV prime time newsanchor, weekly show host for TV southAsia, lecturer in a Private University (Human resource management and Business Research) and President of my school’s Alumni Association.

It didn’t start off like this. Just like any other ambitious university graduate, I spent the first years of my professional life at a top-notch multinational company. Everyday I toiled to get my presentations and targets fulfilled, and everyday I was overstressed and under-satisfied about spending time with my parents, pursuing social development and leadership initiatives and even the arts which energized me. Pretty soon I felt constantly pushed away from the big dreams I wanted to realize and I took the courage to quit and set up my own business.

While I was looking into the enterprise formation paperwork and bureaucracy, I took up a stint as a CEO of a new company, from which I learnt the complexities of small businesses, procurement, HR management and the nitty gritties. In 2007, I took the leap into my own enterprise  - something that brings together my 10 years of work as a Television News anchor, Program production (I started as a part timer in college), my work as a communication manager with a multinational and my education in Economics & Development studies (B.Sc and Masters). Hence the research based contemporary issues magazine – PURPLE, and Communication research firm – MATR (Media Arts & technology research).

Now I had plenty of time to paint, make documentaries, organize exhibitions, raise funds for social causes, teach at universities, train through workshops & control my own time to respond to family needs! Over the last two years, working with several organizations including universities, other newspapers, banks, advertisement agencies, international and local development agencies, my company is providing me with bigger platforms to dream about progress - for my country, for my region and for humanity.

My Venture

MATR (Media Arts & Technology Research) was started off to bring in cost effective and customized research for the media industry in Bangladesh. Research studies are pertinent for Bangladeshi TV channels, so that audiences get access to programs that cater to their entertainment needs, and some entertainment that can also double as social development tools. MATR brings in resources experiences in media and economics, development studies, law etc to recommend new trends and practices in our media to develop the industry and the country.

Without trained personnel and commercial curriculum in media schools, the industry is growing in size without the fuel (A.k.a. talented creative and technical professionals) to go on. ‘MAT training’ brings in short term and mid term courses to encourage aspiring professionals to learn the technical aspects of their creative field better. The trainers are all young professionals who have worked in the industry for at least 10 years and have studied their subject outside. They are not available at any other institute and do not have the time to become lecturers in universities. These are priceless experiences for those who sign up for MAT courses

PURPLE as a publication is a challenge that has been declared on the industry, saying, issues dealing with business, society, culture and development does not have to be boring. A complete magazine that caters to movies, music, interiors, travel, culture, also brings in experts in a relatable setting to talk about where Bangladesh in heading. People outside Bangladesh can also locate the exciting life, culture and economy of Bangladesh and would feel inspired to work with us. PURPLE engages readers in its topics and gives them space to interact with through events and online platforms.

Business is the beginning of any social development – this is what I believe. You can run a charitable organization, but the money has to come for somewhere and the management needs to be as good as any corporate. The many areas of my business will hopefully play a role in building competent professionals and greater resources for my country. I believe even small countries such as Bangladesh can have its own formula of success and it does not have to be a replication of developed nations’ ideas. Surely through MAT , many original Bangladeshi successes will come out over time.