In the acutely competitive world of digital media, where innovation and creativity are paramount, one individual has managed to make a lasting mark. Deval Mistry, the Director of Creative Services at a leading digital media firm, is the powerhouse behind several successful digital media campaigns. His leadership style, honed over years of experience, has made a significant impact on his team’s performance, leading to the production of high-quality content for programming and promotions.
In his role as Director of Creative Services, Deval Mistry oversees the strategic development and execution of creative projects. His responsibilities encompass everything from content creation to campaign management, demanding a balanced blend of creative flair, strategic thinking, and leadership skills. His expertise in leading the digital media team in the production of content for programming and promotions has been instrumental in the success of many projects.
But who exactly is Deval Mistry? What are his strategies for success? And how does he lead his team to consistently deliver high-performance results? Nyartlife had the pleasure of interviewing Deval Mistry.
NYArtLife: Thank you so much for joining us, it is such a pleasure to speak with you.
Deval Mistry: Thank you for having me, the pleasure is mine.
NYArtLife: In the fast-paced and ever-changing world of digital media, your approach to innovative marketing is rooted in your ability to stay ahead of industry trends and adapt to new technologies. Central to your digital media is the belief that a successful campaign should resonate with your target audience on an emotional level while delivering a clear and concise message. How do you achieve this balance?
Deval Mistry: Thanks for the question, which gives me the opportunity to express some considerations. To achieve this balance, I focus on deeply understanding the needs and wants of my client’s target audiences. This happens only one way by conducting in-depth research and analysis. These analyses translate into ideas. Idea and result of research, analysis, talent, and intuition. Only through the right alchemy of these actions does it lead to a good marketing campaign.
NYArtLife: I’ve studied your work and it is very impressive. You’ve had many successes in different areas and it is impeccable how much you can do across the art field. I’m very excited about the work you’ve been doing with The First Digital INC. I believe you are the director of creative services. You are doing such interesting work, working in the media department and collaborating with creatives for the production of content for programming and promotions. What has that experience been like?
Deval Mistry: Definitely very fulfilling. I’ve loved the experience, of working with such great creatives that are making an impact collectively at The First Digital Inc. I believe some of my biggest projects are the shows associated with The First Digital Inc. It’s been quite a wild ride, working as the creative director. I have designed several shows along with my team and successfully launched them on several streaming and cable platforms.
NYArtLife: Oh wow, that is impressive. Congratulations! It is no doubt these projects are incredible. Especially now it is even more exciting since your audiences are able to view these masterpieces that have been worked on and created by an amazing group. I’ve been hooked on watching Shock and Awe with Bill O’Reilly, which is a socio-political opinion show for Vidgo’s subscription network. It has been so interesting watching this weekly. What is it like watching him interview guests with such different outlooks on life? Tell me about the personal and professional experience of working on this show.
Deval Mistry: It is addicting isn’t it? The conversations are so interesting especially when you think about each one and the perspectives side by side. Personally, I was influenced by the great discussions we had on the show. And I definitely felt more creative being around an amazing crew. As for the professional aspect of it. I designed and created the show’s brand identity including the show’s logo, the open intro animation, as well as the music design. It felt amazing being part of something so big. I was also in charge of the on-air show graphics for live production, the motion graphic assets for the show still, and video assets. Altogether, these are great dimensions of the show that make it what it is and how it feels for the viewer. I’m truly grateful for the experience.
NYArtLife: This is great, lovely to hear your perspective. I was also really excited to learn about your work as the director of videography for Downward Mango, it was marvelous and really eye-catching. I couldn’t look away, since the important subject matter was captured in a profoundly silly manner. What sparked the idea for that kind of storytelling?
Deval Mistry: Thank you, truly. It was a direct collaboration between Surka and me. The show was centered on the subject of Indian women exploring their friendships, sexual relationships, and other important interpersonal connections through their adulthood, in New York City. To anyone, this would be a serious theme that is quite hard to deal with. I was proud of the decision to go in another direction and to focus on making the stories engaging. When something is too serious and constant, it can be quite difficult to navigate both as a creator and as a viewer. We all believed in the importance of the issue, but we knew how profound and interesting it would be for viewers to laugh with the characters.
NYArtLife: I love that idea. I was really invested in Surka and Subha Agarwal’s way of challenging the taboos that are pushed on Indian women’s personal sexual expression. The humor and funny scenarios were epic. I especially appreciated the portrayal of New York City and the amazing shots of NYC and Brooklyn capturing a different sense of exploration for these women.
Deval Mistry: Thank you, I think the videography was a significant part of helping the viewers engage and it made it feel personal for the entire audience. While we have a great community of Indian women in New York that related and felt heard with the storytelling. It was interesting to see the diverse audience connect to a story that made them feel understood too, no matter what their background or story was. This is the beauty of living and working in New York City.
NYArtLife: Yes, definitely. Speaking of this great city, you have been part of the creative stream and integral to what we consume as media audiences. It’s certainly one of the greatest places to be, let alone to be one of the creatives that give New Yorkers and the world a great gift in the arts. Tell us about your experience in New York City, and what this city means to you.
Deval Mistry: It’s been incredible. Every day is a gift, and I’m more than grateful to be able to give back. Sometimes it feels surreal, that I’m doing something so artistically grand in the city that I love the most. I hope all creatives get to experience working here and living the life of a New Yorker. There is so much to see, so much to be part of and explore. I believe New York City is the best place to explore all your artistic curiosities.
NYArtLife: We close this interesting chat with the last question. What are the suggestions you give to those who want to start this job?
Deval Mistry: The last question is the difficult one (smile). I don’t know the type of suggestions but I can tell you what are the 4 commandments that I give myself every day.
- Stay curious: Continuously seek out new information, ideas, and inspiration. Attend industry events, network with fellow professionals, and stay informed on the latest trends and technologies.
- Develop a diverse skill set: While it’s important to specialize in a particular area, having a wide range of skills will make you a more valuable asset to any marketing team. Learn about various aspects of marketing, such as data analytics, user experience design, and search engine optimization.
- Embrace collaboration: Great marketing campaigns are the result of collaboration between talented individuals. Surround yourself with a diverse team of professionals and learn from their unique perspectives and expertise.
- Never stop learning: The world of digital marketing is constantly evolving. Make a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development in order to stay ahead of the curve.
NYArtLife: This is also really important for me as I am in the publishing business. I have taken note. Can we conclude with these commandments of yours?
Deval Mistry: Yes, we shall.
NYArtLife: Thank you for this pleasant conversation, also from our readers
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