McCanners of New York: Akshara Sanketh
Welcome to 'McCanners of New York', a series that delves into the lives of the talent behind McCann New York's greatest work. Featuring employees across departments and various roles, this series is an exploration of their personal stories, side-hustles, passions and the projects they cherish.
'McCanners of New York' offers a glimpse into the lives of these talented advertisers, showcasing both their professional and personal journeys.
In this edition, we’re getting to know Akshara Sanketh, designer.
Q> Why did you decide to pursue a career in Advertising?
Akshara> I hadn’t really considered pursuing advertising until I went to college. I chose it out of curiosity, and once I got deeper into the field, I quickly realised it was exactly what I wanted to do. Growing up, I moved around a lot, and while I noticed how different each place and culture was, I never focused on the similarities. It wasn’t until I entered the world of advertising that I realised it was such a universal form of communication. Regardless of language, culture or background, advertising and design have the power to impact people everywhere. All it takes is a connection.
Q> Outside of work, do you have any personal interests or hobbies that you're particularly passionate about? Has this hobby/passion influenced your work in advertising at all?
Akshara> I’m very passionate about photography, and I believe everything creative overlaps, so this definitely does influence my work. It has taught me how to try and capture something at the perfect moment and to tell a story visually. It’s also helped me develop the patience to find beauty in the everyday and draw inspiration from it.
Q> Can you share a project or campaign you've worked on that you're particularly proud of?
Akshara> I recently worked on a design collaboration with Wild East Brewing Co. & Campground Beer Market. The McCann Design team had the opportunity to create a series of beer cans inspired by typography and different generations. The project, called Generation Buzz, was a true passion project—we set out to have fun and create something really cool. We drew inspiration from signage across various eras and used typography to bring the story behind the concept to life.
Q> What advice would you give to someone aspiring to pursue a career in advertising, especially at a large agency like McCann?
Akshara> Starting your career at a big agency, especially right out of college, can be very intimidating. My biggest piece of advice is not to be afraid of making mistakes. A lot of what I’ve learned came after I started working in the field. No matter how much you study, your skills truly develop only through real-world experience. That said, I made mistakes, and the imposter syndrome definitely kicked in. But what McCann taught me is that mistakes are part of the process. They’re how you grow, as long as you learn from them and continue to improve. I think it’s also important to ask for help when you need it. No one will judge you or turn you away for reaching out.
Q> What is your favourite area in NYC and why?
Akshara> It would have to be Williamsburg. It offers the perfect mix of nature and the energy of the city, with amazing restaurants, and of course, you can never get tired of people-watching there.
Q> If you could recommend one hidden gem in NYC that not many people know about, what would it be?
Akshara> There’s a restaurant in Chinatown called Uncle Lou’s that I’m a big fan of. The food is incredibly delicious and very authentic—I highly recommend the sweet and spicy pork!
