Sudarshan Rai

Senior marketing leader with 18+ years of experience leading regional marketing strategy, brand growth, and revenue acceleration across GCC and India. Expertise in integrated marketing, digital marketing, market entry, pricing, and P&L-driven decision-making for premium consumer brands. Proven ability to manage up to AED 20M+ marketing budgets, senior stakeholders, and agencies while delivering sustained CAGR growth, margin improvement, and scalable brand platforms.

Recently led an entrepreneurial venture delivering high-end interior solutions for hospitality and commercial clients, gaining hands-on experience in P&L management, client acquisition, and end-to-end project execution.

Co-Founder & Managing Director at SetaCasa For Furniture & Décor LLC, Dubai (2025-10 – Present)

Led the establishment and growth of a hospitality-focused interior solutions venture, driving business strategy, client acquisition, and end-to-end project execution. Managed full P&L responsibility while building a lean, self-sustaining operating model and securing marquee clients.

Marketing Manager - Consumer Goods at Dubai Furniture Manufacturing Company LLC (Part of Arenco Group) (2012-02 – 2025-10)

Owned end-to-end brand and commercial marketing strategy across retail and hospitality (B2B) segments for La-Z-Boy (UAE), King Koil and Serta in the Middle East and India. Directed annual marketing planning, pricing strategy, category growth, and multi-channel activation while managing up to AED 8M+ budgets and cross-functional teams. Served as custodian of brand positioning, governance, and performance across markets.

• Drove brand-led growth of 12% CAGR for King Koil and 9% CAGR for Serta through integrated marketing and portfolio expansion
• Achieved 9.2% CAGR growth in the bed linen category through structured product launches and category development
• Owned pricing and margin strategy, improving gross margin by 15% in the competitive hotel linen segment
• Launched and promoted 30+ new products, delivering 7.2% YoY sales growth
• Led market entry and brand launch of Serta India, increasing organic traffic by 40% and online sales by 120% within six months
• Introduced King Koil and Serta to Amazon and Noon (UAE & KSA), achieving AED 60K monthly revenue run-rate within six months
• Built and scaled digital ecosystems including websites and social channels, increasing web traffic by 30% and showroom enquiries by 20% YoY
• Developed and executed brand campaigns delivering 3:1 ROAS and 20% increase in store footfall
• Opened 40+ showrooms and shop-in-shop concepts across Middle East and India, saving AED 1M+ and accelerating breakeven timelines
• End-to-end ownership of brand strategy, annual planning, and execution across GCC and India
• Led cross-functional collaboration with Sales, Retail Operations, Supply Chain, and external agencies with full responsibility for brand P&L impact
• Directed annual budget allocation and ROI governance across multiple markets
• Custodian of brand guidelines, positioning, and communication consistency across all consumer touchpoints
• Led strategic marketing reviews with senior leadership, presenting performance dashboards, growth plans, and ROI insights
• Revitalized the premium mattress portfolio across Serta and King Koil, leading category revamp and assortment expansion
• Played a key role in securing and launching the La-Z-Boy UAE distributorship
• Led marketing conceptualization and execution for La-Z-Boy UAE brand launch including PR strategy and integrated campaigns
• Directed fit-out conceptualization and execution of flagship La-Z-Boy stores at Dubai Hills Mall, Dalma Mall Abu Dhabi, and Galleria Mall Abu Dhabi

Marketing Manager - Haier, Palson, E4U, Klik & Al Sayegh Watches at Al Sayegh Brothers LLC & Hafet Electrical LLC, Dubai (2009-01 – 2012-12)

Designed and Executed consumer electronics brand 'Haier' & 'Palson' marketing strategy in the UAE. Promoted for growing the group's retail brands and to develop compelling promotions for retail brand portfolio including E4U, Klik & Al Sayegh Watches; leveraging product portfolio across company's retail consumers and trade promotions/advertising.

• Boosted revenue by 30% through expansion of key brands and strengthened channel partnerships by launching effective campaigns and promotions
• Drove Haier's category wide sales with a 20% boost through a '4 yr warranty challenge campaign', strategically built on consumer trust
• Achieved Haier TV category growth by 16% through strategic tie-up with power retailers during Dubai Shopping Festival
• Achieved per sq. foot display ROI by 125% across key outlets
• Promoted Haier's 'Side-by-Side' refrigerator category through innovative consumer shopper promotion and increased sales by 20%
• Saved 15% cost over 2 years consecutively by effective negotiation with contractors for building E4u & Klik stand at GITEX
• Conceptualized and executed an innovative consumer promotion 'Scratch and Win Gold' for Palson range of kitchen appliances with 22% sales jump

Assistant Marketing Manager - Haier & Palson Portfolio at Al Sayegh Brothers LLC & Hafet Electrical LLC, Dubai (2008-01 – 2010-12)

Priority Banking - Relationship Manager at Axis Bank, India (2007-01 – 2008-12)

Recruited to achieve sales targets spread across liabilities, retail assets; enhancing, upgrading and deepening of existing PB relationships. Analyze HNI liability portfolio and generate potential leads to cross sell Investment banking products like mutual funds, life insurance & medical insurance.

• Awarded for overachieving the cross-sales target FY 07-08 by 112% through cross selling and upselling to existing Priority banking relationships
• Part of the priority banking winning team in Axis bank 'Mission INR 20K contest' for achieving priority banking CA/SA targets by 113% in FY 07-08

MBA in Marketing and IT – ICFAI Business School, India (2007)