Zamyad Mehirji: From India With Love
Don't let ANYONE tell you that you aren't capable
or can't do anything - let that be your driving motivator
Connect with Zamyad on LinkedIn.
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Background
I was fortunate to be born in a Zoroastrian community in Kolkata, India, because we had the best opportunities in terms of sport, education, and extra-curricular activities. A close-knit community, we were thrown into the thick of things early in our childhood. I would even go on to say that we had the luxury to experience the camaraderie with the opportunity to play all major sports namely soccer, field hockey, track, cricket, badminton, tennis, table tennis, etc. and other extra-curricular activities like Boy Scouts, Music (I was given 5 years of training in Indian Classical music and Western music), Elocution, Art, etc. I have a sister who is three and a half years older than me and a brother who is twenty months older than me. They both are super talented! Upon completion of my degree in commerce I landed my first full time stint with a start up a soccer agency & marketing firm. It was like a dream start!
I moved to Toronto for my postgraduate studies in Sport and Event Marketing in August 2014 to experience new cultures and challenge myself further. It was nice to read the greeting message – “Bienvenue du Canada” as soon as I landed at the Pearson International airport, after a gruelling 36-hour journey.
Resume In A Flash
Bachelors in Commerce (specialization in Marketing) from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, India;
Executive – Player and Event Management at a Player Agency – The FootballEdge, India;
Sport & Event Marketing Post-Graduate from George Brown College, Toronto, Canada
Development Intern – Right To Play, Toronto, Canada;
Game Operations – Toronto FC, Toronto, Canada;
Local Team Liaison Officer for the Canadian Men’s National Soccer Team – CONCACAF Gold Cup, Toronto, Canada;
Community Relations Ambassador – Toronto FC, Toronto Maple Leafs – MLSE, Toronto, Canada;
Development Intern – JUMP Math, Toronto, Canada
Zamyad, you made this incredible jump moving from India to Canada – what made you make this move? Would you do it again?
Hmmm. It was a very tough choice to make. I was leaving behind my family, friends and the job I really loved! However, as a child I always wanted to travel and live abroad for a few years. To experience new cultures, languages and places always excited me. I also wanted to pursue a postgraduate or a Masters in Sports with the idea of being able to work after studies for a few years and gain valuable work experience. Canada’s post-graduate work rules made it an easy choice. I was in contact with my friend, Sonia who did the same program a couple of years before I did. And she spoke highly of the program and the multicultural city – Toronto! I was at a stage where I felt I needed to make the move and the time couldn’t have been any better.
I truly believe that Toronto is quite similar to Kolkata (my hometown). A highly diverse, with the presence of a number of public transportations especially the streetcars (it’s called a tram there), and a distinct landmark (CN tower and the Howrah Bridge in Kolkata) but more importantly the food! The only difference would be the number of people, noise levels, heat and air pollution. I have never felt away from home!
I have my uncle here, my roommate who is a friend whom I have known since my university days and I have close family friends. A relatively large Zoroastrian community in Toronto also aided in my decision.
Yes! I would certainly do it again! My favourite quote from Richard Peddie’s ‘The Dream Job’ – “This river I step in is not the river I stand in” by Heraclitus is truly the perfect reflection in what I believe in always updating and adapting yourself to your environment.
You had this meteoric rise while in India – moving from intern, to reporter, to soccer agent. What was this like for you and what was your process in going about your quick ascension through the rankings?
Haha! I wouldn’t say a meteoric rise but good fortune and an extremely kind boss. He always encouraged me to take on new challenges and made sure I was given the right and timely exposures. The opportunities also poured in and I am glad I seldom disappointed him. However, even when I screwed up he would get annoyed momentarily and then laugh it off as a joke. I remember that I accidentally broke the laptop.
I was excited to work on different projects ranging from marketing and game operations at United Sikkim FC (Indian Premier League soccer club), to helping players with their travel docs, visas, accommodation, banking to shopping. However, my biggest and most exciting project included the annual Indian soccer awards and being the local team manager for a Costa Rican club called Deportivo Saprissa ‘B’. The only person in the entire squad who could speak in English was their club manager, so it was challenging but fun because I mastered my Google Translate skills as well as learned key Spanish words, to communicate with them. Paciencia amigo!
My colleagues were fascinated by my enthusiasm to take on new tasks and challenges and that’s what made it easy too. Being able to communicate freely and in gaining trust easily helped me in working with clients, staff and people in general. I forged a close relationship with each one, which went far in achieving whatever I did. My sport director had immense confidence in me and handed me the responsibility of managing the soccer team at my university.
I loved and remember every bit of it.
Since you have moved to Canada what is the biggest change you have noticed in the sports culture compared to India?
I would have to say the shift from cricket to ice hockey and basketball. In Canada the general population follows more than one sport and supports the other sports with equal passion, however, it’s sad to say that it is not the same case back home. In India cricket is huge and the general population is crazy about it, however the other sports are neglected and suffer.
Having said that - recent glamorization of franchisee-based sports leagues namely, Indian Super League (soccer), Kabaddi, field hockey, and tennis has sparked a new trend and fan following which is very important for the athletes and sports in the country and I’m happy to see the change. However, cricket is still number one!
Has there been anything holding you back since moving to Toronto? Is the sports and entertainment work environment different in any way? How have you adapted?
I don’t think anything is holding me back because I have developed new relations through my past program and work experience at MLSE. Obviously it was not swimmingly smooth but that’s the best part! To start all over again and develop the brand image from scratch is surprisingly shocking but I quickly learned to deal with it rather than sulk over it. It is difficult but has to be done.
I don’t think it’s extremely different because the structure, operations and formats are similar, but yes the methodology and functioning is different. But that’s with any place you go to. I was working in a niche market i.e., it is still in its nascent stage in India but here it’s well established and is huge, comparatively. The tasks and job roles are broken down more efficiently to run the massive industry. It is highly competitive here too.
I have been trying to gain as much experience as possible, through various volunteering activities, part time work and networking with like-minded people on LinkedIn, school and events. The secret is to never say NO to any opportunity. I always seek feedback from my supervisors and professors and have been commended for my attitude and going the extra mile.
Similar to many of our other “Up & Comers” interviews, you attended the George Brown Sport & Event Marketing program - what was your reasoning behind this? What drew you to the program and how has it since affected you as a young professional?
Like I mentioned earlier I was in constant contact with my friend Sonia who spoke highly about the program. I also got in touch with Vijay Setlur (a prof at York University and an avid sport follower, commentator/blogger) through mutual friends. He gave me good reviews and spoke to me about the sports industry here. It was quite informative. Moreover, it was the only renowned sport marketing postgrad program in Toronto. Moreover, the 4-months co-op aspect of the program was enticing too!
The sport and event marketing program is quite famous. I didn’t imagine it would be that renowned and well-known. So I am pleasantly surprised. It helped me in various ways. First of all I made some brilliant friends and future possible colleagues, as well as learned the Canadian sporting business through course-work and group assignments. The speaker series was highly useful and obviously my favourite part was the 4-month long amazing internship at Right To Play. I can’t thank my supervisor enough for being highly considerate and motivating especially during the depressing and my first Canadian winter, haha!
Since graduating you have continued work with MLSE and have enrolled in an Advertising Management Program – what is your end goal with this and how are you going to reach it?
Going into the Advertising Media Management program my primary goal was to complete any second postgraduate course in order to be eligible for a longer work permit. However, I wanted to do something wherein I learned new technical skills and industry but at the same time not completely different to that of marketing. My choices were limited so I went for the advertising and media management at Humber College. It definitely helped me gain new skills and now I feel I have more options at my disposal. \
About working at MLSE, I cannot emphasize enough on how important and enjoyable the work environment and the organizational culture is. My colleagues are absolutely fantastic and I feel extremely proud to be associated with the MLSE brand and values – (be accountable to each other; lead in what you do; don’t be afraid to dream big; and be a fan). Meeting passionate people in the company is the best part!
I am still in the process of deciding on what exactly I want to pursue as soon as I graduate. I am constantly talking to industry-specific experts and trying to align my background in sport and media planning. I feel gaining more hands-on experience will help me understand and in making my next big move. I don’t want to limit myself to a specific industry or role but yes, would ultimately love to go back to soccer specifically be it at League1 Ontario, Toronto FC, or Canadian Soccer Association! One step at a time!
If you could give one piece of advice to an individual from another country that is looking to move to Toronto to chase a new opportunity – what would you say to them?
There are so many things that come to my mind, but I would definitely say that do not let ANYONE tell you that you are not capable or good enough; make that your driving motivator!
Keep striving and expect obstacles, challenges or failures that will come your way. Surround yourself with ambitious and positive individuals and you will see a massive difference. Good luck!
