Leaders

Animation is a powerful tool for storytelling. By using moving images, animation can bring stories to life in a way that live-action cannot. Reenu Pahuja and her team at Crazy Cub Animation Studio do exactly that; work on various live-action tools to bring imagination to life.

Reenu is the CCO and CEO of Crazy Cub Animation Studio, an independent animation studio based in Delhi. Armed with a master's degree in computer science and over 15 years of experience in the field of animation she has worked on a variety of projects, ranging from animation, IP creation, short films, games, and apps.

In 2015, Reenu and Kamal had the idea for Jugnu Kids, which creates beautiful and safe video content for kids. The platform today has more than 11 million subscribers. She is also the creator of Gullak – The animated Short Film that has won various awards at the national and International levels.

Over the years, the animation expert has developed solid expertise in YouTube management and analytics. Reenu also leverages her knack of keen observation, attention to detail, and her ability to remain composed under pressure to achieve success as a leader.

In an in depth conversation with Women Entrepreneur India, Reenu speaks about her passion towards animation and her venture Crazy Cub Animation Studio.

Take us through your early educational journey and the prior industry experience that you bring to the table.

I come from a small village near Faridabad and received my early education there. My father has always been there for me, pushing me to get myself educated as much as possible and to be self-reliant. I, therefore, earned my Master's in Computer Science. I had never worked in the animation sector before, but I've always enjoyed drawing and had a strong eye for design. My skilled animator husband Kamal Pahuja helped me navigate through the industry. We both worked in animation as independent contractors for two to three years following our wedding before establishing our joint animation firm.

Introduce us to Crazy Cub Animation Studio. What are the underlying idea behind the venture and some of its most unique features?

Crazy Cub Animation Studio was established in 2011 to offer animation services. In 2015, we realized that it would be wiser to put money into our own intellectual property (IP). As a result, we established the JUGNU KIDS YouTube channel in 2015 and were one of the first few Hindi-language YouTube channels in India to offer top-notch material. We are aware that children require safe and wholesome content in order to learn in a secure setting. We are overwhelmed by the number of parents who appreciate our brand, and we credit this success to our dedication to making quality the main focus of our firm.

Throw some light on the different responsibilities you shoulder as the CEO and CCO of the company. What is your primary focus are as in terms of driving growth for the company?

One of my main duties as the CEO of Crazy Cub Animation Studio is to oversee the business's administrative and operational facets. I am also in charge of making sure that all of the content we produce is age-appropriate and suitable for children. Since I am a mother myself and my youngest child is at a stage where she is also consuming ample online content, I can understand other parents' worries. However, it is only possible for me to carry out these duties due to my fantastic team's perseverance and commitment. When team members are able to undertake duties that capitalize on their own abilities, teamwork feels almost effortless. As a result, I always put emphasis on developing a strong senior leadership team, putting in place efficient business practices, and defining rules that support our company's culture and goal.

 "My mantra for success is perseverance - learning from your mistakes and having a "keep walking" attitude is essential for achieving success in any field"

Tell us about the various challenges you encounter in your role as the Chief Creative Officer. How do you overcome the roadblocks that you face?

Being in a creative field, there is often no clear definition of a "perfect" art piece. Choosing between two or three good ideas might be challenging, but as a team, we always keep the outcome in mind and go with the flow. We also pick up lessons from our mistakes and competitors. The creative process is never easy, and one of the ways I handle uncertainty is by viewing our own content from the perspective of the consumer. This enables us to pinpoint the precise problem.

Tell us about some of the key milestones you have achieved throughout your professional journey. What has been your success mantra?

One of our greatest accomplishments was undoubtedly reaching the 10 million subscriber milestone for Jugnu Kids, our first YouTube channel. A notable accomplishment for us also included obtaining licenses for the same content in China, France, and Korea. Bluefish, one of our additional YouTube IPs, has surpassed the million-subscriber mark. We just entered the toy market by introducing our own Made in India toy brand, Tombo Play. Although it is still in its early phases, we anticipate that eventually, it will establish itself as a household brand.

My mantra for success is perseverance - learning from your mistakes and having a "keep walking" attitude is essential for achieving success in any field.

What advice would you give to young women and girls who also aspire to become business leaders and entrepreneurs in the future?

Never give up on your dreams, no matter how painful or challenging your road may be. The key to success is to maintain an optimistic outlook and a can-do attitude at all times. Don't be afraid to take chances and try new things, as they may lead to unexpected opportunities and growth. The path to success is not always simple, but it is ultimately worthwhile.

Reenu Pahuja, CCO/CEO, Crazy Cub Animation Studio

Reenu Pahuja has a master's degree in computer science and over 15 years of experience in the field of animation and has worked on a variety of projects, ranging from animation, IP creation, short film and games and apps.