Balaaji Vaidyanathan, Director & Head – Marketing, CEEMEA at Franklin Templeton
Balaaji Vaidyanathan, Director and Head, Marketing for Franklin Templeton’s CEEMEA region, is a passionate marketer with over two decades of experience turning ideas into impactful, result-driven marketing strategies. Based in Dubai since 2019, he leads marketing strategy, planning, and execution, and thrives on collaborating with diverse teams to align business goals with bold, innovative ideas.
In an industry often perceived as traditional, Balaaji likes to believe he is on a mission to shake things up—transforming how mutual funds and brands like his connect with clients. His goal is to bring energy, creativity, and relevance to a space that desperately needs it, ensuring brands don’t just meet expectations but redefine them.
Recognized as a global marketing influencer and creative brand champion, he has a knack for balancing big-picture strategy with tactical precision and is known to lead with innovation and adaptability to deliver exceptional results.
A Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management alumni, he is a recognised Kellogg Executive Scholar having completed the Chief Marketing Officer Program. Balaji is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi.
