From a quiet town in Odisha to the buzzing digital corridors of Mumbai and Bhubaneswar, Rakesh Raula’s story is one of clarity, consistency, and quietly powerful ideas.
In an age of digital noise, where trends shift by the hour and buzzwords often overpower business sense, Rakesh stands out for his calm, thoughtful approach to IT, advertising, and marketing. With over 17 years of experience spanning IT, digital transformation, SEO, ORM, and inbound marketing, he has built a reputation for doing digital right—grounded in strategy, fuelled by intent, and executed with heart.
Born in Berhampur, Odisha, and now based in Mumbai, Rakesh brings together the analytical depth of engineering and the narrative instinct of a poet. He is the son of Rama Krishna Raula, who served as an engineer in the government’s irrigation department, a legacy of precision and purpose that continues to influence Rakesh’s work ethic and outlook.
A graduate in technology, Rakesh went on to pursue a Marketing Management program at the Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai. This unique blend of technical expertise and creative thinking defines his approach to building brands and businesses.
Today, he is the Founder and CMO of DVED Digital Consultancy, a firm that helps companies across India grow their online presence through measurable digital strategies. His wife, Priyadarshini Mohapatra, is the Co-founder and Director of DVED Digital, bringing her own sharp vision and leadership to the consultancy. Together, they form a formidable team both in business and in life. The couple is blessed with a daughter, Purvi Raula.
We sat down with Rakesh for a candid conversation about his journey, work philosophy, and the surprising role poetry plays in shaping his worldview.
“I started with tech. But I stayed for the strategy.”
“I began my career in IT support,” Rakesh says with a smile, “and slowly drifted towards digital. It started with curiosity. I was fascinated not just by how websites function, but how people find them, interact with them, and form opinions online.”
That early curiosity became a career. Over the years, Rakesh worked with diverse organisations, managing everything from search engine and social media marketing to online brand reputation. In 2017, he took the entrepreneurial leap with DVED Digital Consultancy, a company now known for it’s clean, data-driven approach to digital marketing.
Clarity before clicks
Ask Rakesh what separates good digital marketing from the rest, and he doesn’t hesitate. “Clarity. Businesses often chase clicks, but clicks don’t pay the bills, conversions do. And conversions come when you understand what your customer really wants.”
At DVED, his team focuses on a blend of performance marketing, content strategy, email automation, and social storytelling. Whether it’s B2B lead generation or ORM for growing brands, his approach is always rooted in transparency, intent, and outcome-driven design.
On leadership and learning
Leading a digital consultancy isn’t just about strategy decks and dashboards. It’s about people. “I believe in leading by trust, not control,” says Rakesh. “I still get involved in the execution when needed, especially for key clients. That keeps me grounded.”
He also believes in constant learning. “Digital changes fast, but people don’t. You have to keep learning, but also stay human.”
The poet behind the strategist
Perhaps the most surprising part of Rakesh’s journey is his love for poetry. When asked how it fits into his professional life, he pauses thoughtfully. “Poetry gives me space to slow down. It helps me observe better and connect deeper. Marketing is not just about numbers, it’s about emotion. Good poetry, like good copy, is about resonance.”
He adds, “Poetry keeps me grounded. Data keeps me sharp. I need both to stay balanced.”
Rakesh writes in both Hindi and English and shares his work on his poetry blog www.manoaaina.com, where he continues to explore the quieter side of expression.
Advice for young marketers
Rakesh’s advice for those entering the field is simple, but profound:
“Don’t just learn tools—learn people. Read a lot. Be okay with slow growth. Chase clarity, not clout. And ask yourself before every campaign: ‘Is this useful for the person reading it?’ That one question changes everything.”
What’s next?
As DVED Digital continues to grow, Rakesh is focused on productising services, mentoring startups, and helping more small and mid-sized businesses navigate the digital space without jargon.
“I want to keep things simple and scalable,” he says. “The tools will change. But intent and honesty? That will always matter.”
Whether it’s engineering a landing page or penning down a verse, Rakesh Raula brings a rare blend of technical precision and poetic insight—a combination that not only drives results but leaves a lasting impression.
