AdYogi: Anshuk Aggarwal on Scaling E-commerce with Marketing Automation
In the hyper-competitive world of Indian e-commerce, standing out is no longer just about having a great product—it's about how effectively you can reach your customer. Anshuk Aggarwal, Co-founder of AdYogi, is building the engine that powers this reach. By automating digital marketing across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google, AdYogi is helping D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) brands scale rapidly and reclaim their independence from marketplace giants.
Anshuk's journey is rooted in top-tier academic and professional environments. An alumnus of IIT Bombay and ISB, he spent his early career at Boone & Company before the entrepreneurial itch led him to launch AdYogi in 2016. "We saw a massive shift happening," Anshuk reflects. "More people were coming online, connectivity was improving, and every brand wanted to sell directly to their customers. But most didn't know how to manage the complexity of digital ads at scale."
The D2C Revolution
While Amazon and Flipkart dominate the headlines, Anshuk points to a quieter, more powerful trend: the rise of independent brand websites. "Today, about 30% of overall e-commerce GMV in India comes from independent websites. That's a massive shift. Brands have realized that owning the customer data and the experience is the only way to build long-term value."
Marketing Automation: The Equalizer
For a small brand, competing with the marketing budgets of global giants is impossible. AdYogi acts as the great equalizer. By using smart algorithms to manage bidding, targeting, and creative selection, the platform allows brands to achieve a high Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) without needing a massive in-house marketing team. "Our job is to ensure that every rupee spent on ads is working as hard as possible," Anshuk explains.
He notes that the barrier to entry for digital marketing has never been lower. Anyone with a passion for the industry can learn the basics through online certifications from Google and Facebook. However, the real challenge lies in execution and understanding the nuances of the "Social Dilemma"—the powerful algorithms that dictate what we see and buy.
Navigating the Algorithmic World
Anshuk offers a balanced perspective on the controversial topic of social media influence. "The algorithms are designed to understand you better than you understand yourself," he observes. "While this creates concerns about narrative control and echo chambers, from a business perspective, it allows for unprecedented precision in reaching the right audience. The responsibility lies with organizations to use this power ethically."
This deep understanding of technology and human behavior is what drives AdYogi's product roadmap. The company has moved beyond just managing ads to becoming a strategic marketing partner for brands like Libas and other leading Indian labels.
Anshuk's Roadmap for E-commerce Founders
- Own Your Website: Don't just depend on marketplaces. Build your own destination to own your customer relationship.
- Learn the Platforms: Even if you outsource, understand how Facebook and Google ads work. Take the free certification courses.
- Focus on Execution: Don't wait for a "unique" idea. Most successful startups solve common problems better than the competition.
- Diversify Your Team: AdYogi's success came from combining engineering mindsets with financial rigor (CAs). Different perspectives solve problems faster.
The Future of Digital Marketing in India
Anshuk is bullish on India's potential to become a global hub for digital marketing services. With a large pool of tech-savvy talent and a massive domestic market to practice on, Indian marketing firms are well-positioned to serve the world. AdYogi is already expanding its footprint, helping brands not just in India, but globally, to navigate the complex world of marketing automation.
AdYogi at a Glance
- Core Focus: Marketing automation for e-commerce and D2C brands.
- Scale: Managing marketing for some of India's largest independent labels.
- Mission: Helping brands scale profitably through algorithmic precision.
About the Guest
Anshuk Aggarwal is the Co-founder of AdYogi. An alumnus of IIT Bombay and the Indian School of Business (ISB), he is a recognized expert in the field of marketing technology. Before founding AdYogi in 2016, he worked with leading consultancy firms, where he developed a keen eye for operational efficiency and market trends. Anshuk is a frequent speaker on the D2C revolution and is dedicated to helping Indian brands leverage technology to compete on a global stage.
AdYogi is a leading marketing automation platform specifically designed for e-commerce. By integrating directly with advertising channels, AdYogi enables brands to automate their sales-driven marketing efforts, ensuring optimal performance and sustainable growth in the digital-first economy.