#PowerWomen: Try and Break the Mould and Make a Unique Place for Yourself -Tabassum Modi

by  Mugdha Gaonkar Industry Watch | February 12, 2021 | Interview

Tabassum Modi PowerWomen Victor Tango

Continuing the EVENTFAQS #PowerWomen series in the run-up to International Women’s Day on March 8, we talk to Tabassum Modi, Founder Director, Victor Tango, about her journey in the events industry.

Tabassum Modi, an entrepreneur with over 20 years of cross-functional expertise in the entertainment sector, runs three business enterprises - Victor Tango, Litkids and VT Pro Ventures LLP – functioning as a kids events and activations business, format owner and production house which specialises in scripted as well as non-scripted content for OTT platforms, broadcast networks and brands.

Tabassum Modi has always believed in breaking new ground. The combination of strategic, management and execution capabilities gives her an edge. Here, she shares insights on her entry into the events industry, challenges she faces, position of women in the industry, priorities at Victor Tango, advice for young women entering the events sector and more.

HOW I CAME TO BE IN THE EVENTS INDUSTRY
My journey with events began as a participant in inter-school competitions. I remember always going to an event and wondering how it could be better organised or how the participant experience could be made better. At age 16, I got an opportunity to organise an inter-school festival with a group of friends and since then, there has been no looking back. Right through my college days, I was involved with various types of events as I started working early. I was always drawn to working on kids’ events as I felt I understood that space the best. After I finished my MBA, I got a chance to set up my own agency and naturally, kids became the niche for me.

Like every other entrepreneur, I faced challenges in steering the company through tough times, what we are going through right now. Leading from the front with full integrity is a tough benchmark I have set for myself, and I live by it everyday. Every project, every award, every team member, every word of appreciation from a client, appreciation from family are successes for me. There is still a lot more to be done and achieved.

ON POSITION OF WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY
I definitely think there is a lot left to be desired as far as position of women in the events industry goes. While there are a lot of senior accomplished women leaders and more than 50% of the workforce is also women, I feel that they are not given their due credit.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT VICTOR TANGO AND FUTURE PLANS
The traditional way of doing business has changed. For our kids’ events and activation business too, we have reinvented ourselves and adapted to the new ways of doing business. Recently, Times of Music was one of our passion projects and we are very grateful that MX Player gave us the chance to do it. Winning the Filmfare OTT Award for it was the highlight of 2020, and certainly lifted the spirits of everyone involved after a rather difficult year. A bunch of content offerings are on the slate for 2021 for various OTT platforms and you will see a lot more of Victor Tango on your screens.

The future for us at Victor Tango is very exciting. We have expanded into the education technology business and are doing a bunch of new things that you will hear of very soon. I feel every adversity gives rise to a new opportunity and that’s what 2020 did for us. Personally, it’s an exciting time as I am getting to learn so many new things with our new business.

ADVICE FOR YOUNG WOMEN ENTERING THE EVENTS INDUSTRY
Think new, think different and don’t get lured by short term benefits. Try and break the mould and make a unique place for yourself.