Nikhil Thorat
Mumbai
Summary
Head of Digital Marketing with 14+ years of experience driving audience scale, revenue growth, and AI-led transformation in media and FMCG industries. Currently leading digital growth at Lokmat Media Group. Proven expertise in digital strategy, AI-driven marketing automation, community building, performance marketing, and business transformation. Recognized by Meta and Oxford Business School for marketing leadership. Known for delivering consistent results, building profitable verticals, and scaling digital audiences at industry-leading levels.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
AVP (Growth & Marketing - Digital)
Lokmat Media Group
10.2017 - Current
- Expanded digital audience from 0.6M to 24M monthly users, positioning Lokmat.com as the No.1 Marathi news portal for 40+ consecutive months (Comscore). Expanded the audience growth in Hindi & English language for the group with Lokmattimes.com & Lokmatnews.in
- Scaled social media community to 1.9 crore+ across 22 Facebook pages and 10 Instagram handles (from a single 0.9M follower page).
- Successfully built hyperlocal network of 10 city pages on Facebook with combined followers base of 4.5 mn which created the unique proposition for Lokmat in the state.
- Launched 8 YouTube channels with a combined 13.5M+ subscribers; boosted monthly video views from 8M to 250M+.
- Achieved Comscore (July 2025) leadership with 68.9M unique visitors, ahead of ABP Majha (26.5M) and TV9 Marathi (25M).
- Diversified portfolio by launching new verticals: Lokmat Money, Lokmat Filmy, Lokmat Agro, Lokmat Bhakti, Lokmat Sakhi, and HBT Marathi (cult youth channel).
- Forged strategic partnerships with Meta & Google on fact-check and content-led programs, enhancing credibility and reach.
- Marketed flagship IPs such as 'Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year' and 'Lokmat Most Stylish Awards'.
- Pioneered AI automation for MIS, content generation, paid marketing, and creative production; trained teams on tools such as Runway, Midjourney, Taboola, and MoEngage.
- Built in-house paid marketing team, reducing costs by 41% and optimizing ROI through collaboration with Meta & Google Ads teams.
- Led marketing for FMCG business 'G2 Snacks', establishing it as a household brand in rural Maharashtra within 2 years.
- Supported revenue growth with the sales team, delivering 21% CAGR over 8 years; drove digital profitability to industry benchmarks.
- Grew career from Manager to AVP in 8 years, consistently delivering growth and transformation.
Digital Marketing Consultant
TheSocialMonk.com & Others
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Consulted for leading portals (RVCJ, Wittyfeed, Stylecraze, Youngisthan, IMBB) across news, entertainment, and lifestyle.
- Built India’s largest freelance writer network (3000+); drove distribution via 1700+ Facebook pages.
- Managed paid campaigns (search, display, video, FB Ads); optimized reach and engagement.
Project Manager
Bradford Infotech
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Managed branding & lead generation for TCS-ION (TCS partnership).
- Led digital operations: SEO, social media, ORM, and B2B marketing campaigns.
SEO Specialist / Web Developer
SC Technologies
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Started career in SEO & development; introduced SEO as a new service line.
- Worked over 30 websites for Indian and abroad clients in real estates, FMCG, SAAS etc.
- Delivered measurable improvements in client website rankings.
Education
PGPDM - Digital Marketing & Management
Regenesys Business School
Navi Mumbai07.2017
B.Sc. - Computer Science
TMV University
Pune06.2010
Skills
- Strategic digital transformation
- AI-driven Marketing & Automation
- Social Media & Community Building
- Performance Marketing (SEM, SMM, Meta, Google Ads)
- Digital content strategy
- Video Ecosystem Growth (YouTube, Facebook)
- Strategic Partnerships & Alliances
- Marketing for events and IPs
- FMCG Brand Marketing
- Cross-functional Leadership
Websites
Certification
- Oxford News Marketing Program (sponsored by Meta, Oxford Business School)
- Google Analytics Certification
- Google Ads Display Certification
Timeline
AVP (Growth & Marketing - Digital)
Lokmat Media Group
10.2017 - Current
Digital Marketing Consultant
TheSocialMonk.com & Others
01.2015 - 01.2017
Project Manager
Bradford Infotech
01.2013 - 01.2015
SEO Specialist / Web Developer
SC Technologies
01.2010 - 01.2013
PGPDM - Digital Marketing & Management
Regenesys Business School
B.Sc. - Computer Science
TMV University