A year of twists, turns, and timeless lessons: 2024:

If 2024 were an OTT series, it would’ve been a genre-defying mix of comedy, drama, and the occasional plot twist that left me scratching my head. From my seven-year-old’s unexpectedly bold takes on life to political developments that could rival the best thrillers, and corporate narratives that have the staying power of a classic novel, this year has certainly earned its five-star rating for unpredictability.

Starting with the smallest philosopher in my house, my son. At three, his primary influencers were Diana and Roma - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk8GzjMOrta8yxDcKfylJYw, YouTuber siblings, whose picture perfect home painted gender roles in primary colors. Pink is for girls, blue for boys, a rule he now enforces with conviction in all walks of life. Despite my attempts to expand his horizons with examples of men rocking pink, he’s unmoved. Fast forward to today, thanks to the global OTT content buffet, he’s decided that Steeve (yes, with two e’s) is a way cooler name than his given one.

Why? Because European /American backdrops are apparently more hep than, say, a developing / growing local street. As his dad, I’ve resorted to stealth tactics, sneaking bits of Indian culture into his worldview like a covert operative. Because let’s face it, arguing with a seven-year-old armed with screen-induced certainty is a battle you’re sure to lose. The bigger takeaway?

Media’s influence is vast, sneaky, and sometimes hilariously misguided and we’d all do well to keep an eye on it.

Speaking of surprises, 2024’s political stage gave us enough plot twists to rival a Netflix thriller. In India, a government as predicted to steamroll the elections barely scraped through with a coalition. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, President-elect staged a comeback that left half the world’s pundits scrambling for explanations and the other half muttering, "I told you so." Both events were a stark reminder that perceptions despite their swagger can be gloriously unreliable.

For all the talk of “perception is reality,” this year proved it’s often more “reality is a plot twist.” Whether it’s voters defying poll predictions or narratives crumbling under scrutiny, the truth has a habit of keeping us on our toes. Maybe that’s its way of keeping life interesting or just giving media industry a solid assurance.

And then there’s the intriguing case of media memory. In a CNBC interview this year with my company's senior leader, the journalist referenced a conversation with an ex-CEO who left over five years ago. What’s fascinating is that there was another CEO in between, yet his old conversation had stayed with him.

As a communications professional, this is both astonishing and exhilarating. It’s proof that sometimes, the stories we craft have a shelf life longer than we imagine. So, no pressure… just remember that every word might outlive our tenure.

Looking back, 2024 feels like a year that reminded me to stay curious and a little skeptical. Whether it’s a child’s evolving worldview, political upsets, or the lasting impact of a well-timed message, the common thread is the unpredictability of influence. It’s everywhere, shaping us in ways big and small, often without us even realizing it.

As we head into 2025, my parting thought is: let’s laugh a little more at the absurdities, stay curious about the surprises, and aim for impact that lasts, preferably the good kind. Here’s to another year of circumnavigating this wonderfully unpredictable world pink shirts, plot twists, and all.

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