By: Jay Feldman

In the dynamic realms of marketing and globalization, few names acquire as much credibility as Sourabh Sharma. A polymath in every sense, Sharma’s journey is a testament to the power of blending analytical acumen with creative flair. With a career spanning nearly 15+ years, Sharma has shaped the trajectory of major brands and startups and etched his name as one of the pivotal thought leaders, influencers, and entrepreneurs, evolving from the center of New York to essentially all over the planet. 

Born in Tanzania, Sourabh spent most of his time traveling the world with his family from a very young age. Extensive travel and elite education contributed to the molding of a free spirit and a curious mind. The University of Pennsylvania, the Wharton Business School, and the Rotterdam School of Management in the Netherlands turned him into an unconventional thinker and a cosmopolitan, and what place better to lay a foundation than on the East Coast in New York?

Blurring the Lines Between Business and Creativity

At the heart of Sharma’s success is his profound understanding of media consumption trends across generations, from boomers and millennials all the way to Gen Z and Gen Alpha. This insight allows him to craft branding and storytelling strategies that resonate on a universal scale. His work transcends mere visibility, achieving tangible impact and return on investment for luxury and historic brands alike. His ventures, including Print All Over Me (PAOM), and with a pedigree of working with the likes of L’Oreal, Unilever, P&G, and more, he has also marked a foot in the world of fragrance with Histoires de Parfums. Alongside this is his marketing agency FIG or out, showcasing his unparalleled ability to navigate and influence the complex tapestry of consumer behavior, branding, and storytelling. His leadership at FIG or out demonstrates his prowess in catering to both B2B and B2C clients, solidifying his position as a marketing luminary.

Marketing is all about Storytelling

Sharma’s influence extends beyond the digital realm because, according to him, marketing is simply storytelling. In his personal life, which eventually becomes a professional life too, he is known for his unmatched and unabashed style and is a regular on red carpets and fashion weeks. He has collaborated with avant-garde luxury fashion and jewelry brands and his work with iconic fashion houses like Chanel and YSL in reviving archival pieces, many of which cross gender norms too. This underscores his unique position at the intersection of fashion, influence, and marketing. “You will never influence the world by being like it,” he suggests, alluding to why trend-based marketing is unsustainable. 

Further, with New York as an epicenter, travel from the center of the world is a central theme in Sharma’s life, as it serves not just as a personal passion but as a cornerstone for deep-seated brand collaborations. Again, he ties these into driving awareness and bookings for the travel itineraries he builds, some of which have been with Condé Nast and Travel + Leisure, and many of which come from his childhood. His partnerships with architectural marvels and luxury resorts worldwide are not just endorsements but narratives that weave together architecture, history, and luxury, often seen on his Instagram @sssourabh. These include the likes of The Leela Palace in New Delhi, Hotel Bowmann Paris, Excelsior Hotel Gallia Milan, Crans Ambassador Crans Montana in Switzerland, The Versace Hotel Dubai, The Lalit Srinagar Kashmir, and many more. Sharma’s content is a rich tapestry that pays homage to historical eras, literature, and fashion, creating immersive narratives that captivate and inspire.

Redefining Modern Influence and Thought Leadership

Sourabh Sharma stands as a beacon of innovation in the modern landscape of thought leadership, marketing, and influence. His ability to turn storytelling into strategy, and strategy into revenue, sets him apart as a visionary in his field. With a cultivated audience of high-net-worth travelers and tastemakers, Sharma’s collaborations elevate brand prestige and deliver measurable business outcomes. Through proven e-commerce success where applicable, supplemented by social media, digital marketing, or experiential brand partnerships, Sharma is redefining the approach to influence. The key here is to differentiate reality from virtual reality, to bridge the online and offline world in a hybrid way, versus only relying on the distraction of social media without measuring conversion. “When life becomes content, where does reality end and where does performance begin?” he questions. “When reality arrives, is it better or slower than the frantic online world?” And, ultimately, is it driving conversion?

He often quips that success isn’t linear, and especially in a born-to-be-viral era, it could have its ups and downs. “If you know what you can do well, you can laugh at what you can’t do well, but if you don’t know what you can do well, then your life becomes a tragic joke,” shares Sourabh of his recipe for happiness and success.

In a world where the lines between marketing, fashion, and travel are increasingly blurred, Sourabh Sharma emerges as a modern renaissance man, whose unparalleled expertise and influence continue to shape the future of these interconnected industries.

“I find it very tedious to be anyone but me,” he concludes. Which in itself, is likely a lesson that everyone can embrace if they peer up from their assembly line of screens.

Published by Elle G.