Kakivi Chishi shares what it takes to build a career in digital marketing

1. Kakivi Chishi.
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• DIMAPUR — Drawn to storytelling and content creation from a young age, Kakivi Chishi often found joy in experimenting with video editing tools and helping friends visualise their ideas. However, it was during the pandemic—a period of pause and reflection—that a turning point came. 
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• Noticing a lack of established marketing agencies in Nagaland, he identified a need for creative and branding services in the region. This led to the founding of KAKI Marketing in February 2021 with a clear mission: to empower local brands, support entrepreneurs, and take brand Nagaland to the world.
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• Having done his high schooling at Woodstock School in Mussoorie before graduating from Delhi University, Chishi, the managing director of the agency, has since guided KAKI into a full-service creative agency and official media and marketing partner for major events including the Nagaland Super League, Hornbill Festival, and North East Games. 
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• The agency has also launched two verticals—KAKI Studios, a production arm, and AHIBI.in, a homegrown online ticketing platform supporting event organisers across the Northeast.
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• Over the years, Chishi has worked with a wide range of professionals—from high school dropouts to trained specialists—and has employed over 40 individuals united by a shared belief in the creative potential of Nagaland.

Also read: From Passion to Profession: Social Work in the New Era of Career Consciousness

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• In this interview with Eastern Mirror, Chishi breaks down the core of KAKI Marketing’s mission, offers practical advice for students interested in digital marketing, and highlights the importance of future-facing skills in shaping a creative economy in Nagaland.
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• Please provide an outline of KAKI Marketing’s mission in Nagaland.
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• KAKI Marketing’s mission is to drive business growth in Nagaland through data-driven digital marketing strategies, focusing on increasing online visibility, customer engagement, and revenue for local enterprises. We aim to deliver measurable results using tools like SEO, social media, and analytics, positioning Nagaland businesses for success in the digital economy.
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• How would you explain digital marketing to a school or college goer?
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• Digital marketing is promoting products or services online using platforms like Instagram, Google, or email. It’s about creating ads or content that get clicks and sales, using data to track what works, like running a Facebook ad for a local shop and seeing how many people buy.
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• Which areas of digital marketing should beginners explore first, and why?
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• Beginners should start with social media marketing, content marketing, and search engine optimisation (SEO). These are low-cost to learn, widely used (e.g., 59% of businesses use social media ads per Statista), and build skills like creating posts, writing blogs, or optimising websites for Google, which are in demand.
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• Are there specific certificates or short courses you recommend for newcomers?
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• I recommend IIM SKILLS for its placement support and comprehensive curriculum, Digital Vidya for industry-recognised training, and free courses like Google Digital Garage (covers SEO and analytics) and HubSpot Academy (inbound marketing). These provide practical skills and certifications valued by employers, with Google reporting 80% of its learners gaining career benefits.
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• How can students in Nagaland gain practical experience while still at school or college?
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• Students can freelance on platforms like Upwork (10,000+ digital marketing gigs globally), intern with local agencies like KAKI Marketing, which offers hands-on projects, or start personal blogs to practice SEO and content creation. Joining online marketing communities or taking courses with live projects also build real-world skills.
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  1. With interns. Over the past four years, over 40 students have interned with KAKI Marketing.
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• Which technical and soft skills are essential in this field?
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• Technical skills: SEO (drives 53% of website traffic per BrightEdge), social media marketing, data analytics (e.g., Google Analytics), and content tools like Canva. Soft skills: communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and time management. These ensure you can analyse data, create campaigns, and thrive in dynamic roles.
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• How does the marketing scene in Nagaland differ from that of larger Indian cities?
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• Nagaland’s marketing scene is smaller, with fewer agencies and a focus on local businesses, compared to cities like Mumbai, where digital ad spend is 15% of India’s $9 billion market (eMarketer). Nagaland emphasises cost-effective strategies like social media, while urban markets use advanced tools and compete across diverse industries.
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• Which local sectors most need marketing support, and why?
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• Tourism, handicrafts, and agriculture need marketing to boost revenue but lack online reach; handicrafts face low e-commerce adoption; and agriculture needs digital marketplaces. Effective campaigns can increase sales and market access for these sectors.
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• How important are local languages and culture when crafting campaigns?
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• Local languages are critical for targeting Nagaland’s diverse audiences, as 70% of Indian internet users prefer regional content (Google). Campaigns in languages can improve engagement and click-through rates, ensuring ads resonate and drive conversions.
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• How do you measure whether a campaign has worked?
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• Campaign success is measured by key performance indicators (KPIs) like website traffic (e.g., 10,000 monthly visitors), conversion rates (e.g., 5% of visitors buying), and ROI (e.g., $2 earned per $1 spent), tracked via Google Analytics. High engagement (likes, shares) and lead generation also signal effectiveness.
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• What tools or software do you rely on each day?
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• I use Google Analytics for performance tracking, Google Ads and Meta Ads Manager for campaigns, HubSpot for lead nurturing, Mailchimp for email marketing, Hootsuite for social media scheduling, Ahrefs for SEO insights, and Canva for visuals. Asana and Slack keep projects and teams aligned.
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• How is artificial intelligence changing marketing?
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• AI transforms marketing with personalisation (e.g., 80% of consumers prefer tailored ads per Epsilon), chatbots handling 70% of customer queries (Gartner), and predictive analytics improving ad targeting by 20% (McKinsey). It automates tasks and optimises budgets, making campaigns smarter and faster.
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• Which emerging trends should students watch over the next five years?
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• By 2030, watch AI-driven personalisation (projected $3 trillion market impact, McKinsey), voice search optimisation, AR/VR ads (10% CAGR, Statista), short-form video (e.g., TikTok’s 1 billion users), and data privacy regulations. These will define high-demand marketing roles.
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• Looking back, what guidance would you give your younger self at school?
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• I’d tell my younger self to learn SEO and analytics early, experiment with free tools like Google Ads, and freelance for local businesses to build a portfolio. Starting small projects and staying updated on trends would’ve given me a head start.
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• What three steps should a student take today to begin a marketing career?
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• Learn basics: Take free courses like Google Digital Garage or HubSpot to master SEO and social media.
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• Create a portfolio: Build a blog or run a small ad campaign to showcase your skills.
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• Get experience: Freelance, intern at agencies like KAKI Marketing, or volunteer for local businesses to apply your knowledge.
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  1. With team members at the NSL Awards Night.
• RAPID INSIGHTS
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• Most-used app on your phone?
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• Instagram, for monitoring trends and campaign performance.
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• Dream client you would love to work with?
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• A Nagaland tourism startup to boost online bookings.
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• If marketing had a mascot, what would yours be?
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• A rocket, symbolising fast, data-driven growth.