Brand Engineer Dr Ashish Kaul on reimagining business through Indian stories with Folklore India

Send us Fan MailThis episode of  the MEDIACAST Podcast from Mediabrief.com features Dr Ashish Kaul, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of Folklore Entertainment India. Ashish is a strategic thinker, brand engineer and a respected author and communications professional, and is in conversation with Pavan R Chawla, Founder-Editor of Mediabrief.com.Ashish explores the urgent need for brands to rise above the sameness in the marketplace. He argues that brands cannot be treated like instant noodles and warns that in today’s hyper-competitive environment, mediocrity is being normalized. Too many companies are rushing to market, hoping to get lucky instead of investing the time and imagination needed to create originality.He discusses the use of tools like Canva and AI generators, which were meant to democratize creativity but are often used as shortcuts. This, he warns, accelerates monotony and strips brands of originality unless leaders bring real thought and intent. Ashish also examines mimicry in branding. From fintech apps that look alike to quick-service restaurants using near-identical colors, he explains why imitation may help brands gain quick recognition but can hollow out credibility. He asks whether mimicry in fast food chains, such as copying the look of global chicken QSR giants, reflects smart positioning or lazy branding.On Performance marketing, Ashish reflects on CEOs who lean heavily on it and questions whether some are mistaking tactical wins for the deeper outcomes that strategic brand leadership delivers. He urges companies to see performance marketing not as a replacement but part of a broader vision.Most importantly, Ashish highlights the originality available to Indian businesses if they embrace cultural strengths. He notes that many brands shy away from Indian design traditions and typography due to an inferiority complex, choosing instead to imitate global palettes. By rediscovering Indianness and anchoring identities in storytelling traditions, he believes brands can achieve authenticity and differentiation.Ashish challenges shortcuts and quick fixes, urging a return to originality, cultural authenticity, and patience in building brands that matter. Available now on Mediabrief.com, YouTube, and top global and Indian podcast platforms.We have two podcast series: MediaCast,  and MVP - The Master's Voice Podcast; both, published by MediaBrief.com. To pitch someone for either series, do this:First, follow us on Facebook,  Linkedin, Instagram. Listen to, comment on, like, share, repost 3 episodes from each series so we know you've heard them and know the content profile for spokesperson-pitch-fit.Subscribe to the podcast - Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Amazon Prime.Next, write to us at pavan [at] mediabrief dot com and alliances [at] mediabrief dot com, and share links (from 1 above) to your profiles that are following us, plus links of your shares and reports of the particular episodes from your social media platforms. Thanks for your time.