Ad land’s young guns: Arnav Jalan, Founder, Inagiffy

In 2021, Arnav Jalan turned a simple yet powerful realization into a groundbreaking venture with the launch of Inagiffy, touted as the world’s first “Newsletter as a Service” startup. Recognizing that traditional email marketing had grown stagnant and uninspired, Jalan saw an opportunity to transform newsletters from overlooked inbox clutter into dynamic, high-performing assets.

With a revolutionary approach combining server optimization, gamified content, and interactive design, Inagiffy has redefined email marketing for leading brands like Motilal, Decathlon, RPG Group, and PolicyBazaar. Today, sending over 500 million emails annually, Inagiffy proves that newsletters are not just relevant, but are the future of business communication.

In conversation with Adgully, Arnav Jalan, Founder, Inagiffy, speaks about revolutionizing email marketing by turning newsletters into dynamic tools for engagement and connection. Managing over 20-25 million emails weekly, fostering vibrant WhatsApp communities, and achieving groundbreaking milestones, Jalan drives innovation in an often-overlooked space, proving the enduring power of well-crafted communication.

Please tell us about the genesis of your venture Inagiffy?

At Inagiffy, our mission is simple yet profound: we create emails people genuinely look forward to. We started as a “newsletter-as-a-service” agency, but quickly evolved into a holistic marketing solution. Today, we manage everything – from email marketing campaigns to fostering vibrant WhatsApp communities.

Our scale speaks volumes – sending 20-25 million emails every week and hosting engaging WhatsApp groups that cultivate meaningful interactions. But we’re not stopping there. Soon, we’ll unveil a series of dynamic newsletters under our media arm, designed to connect like-minded individuals with content that’s both valuable and enjoyable.

Contrary to the belief that email is outdated or that WhatsApp is synonymous with spam, our data tells a different story. With open rates consistently hitting 35-40% and engagement levels that exceed expectations, it’s clear that well-crafted, relevant communication still resonates deeply. For us, the challenge is not just about avoiding the spam folder, but about redefining how people perceive and interact with these platforms.

⁠How do you effectively balance your various roles as the Founder of Inagiffy and other responsibilities? What challenges do you face in managing them all?

Balancing the responsibilities of a founder requires a mix of organization, adaptability, and an exceptional team. My role spans a wide range of tasks – strategising campaigns, overseeing operations, managing finances, and ensuring overall quality.

The heart of this balance lies in prioritizing effectively. I focus on what drives the most value while trusting my team to excel in their areas of expertise. My team isn’t just supportive, they’re the reason Inagiffy functions as seamlessly as it does. They handle creative challenges, quality checks, and execution with unmatched dedication.

We use tools like dashboards and spreadsheets to stay on track, but human expertise is irreplaceable. The most challenging part of my job is ensuring precision. In email marketing, every detail matters, and once an email is sent, there’s no undoing it. Quality control is not just a priority, it’s a cornerstone of our success.

⁠Could you walk us through a typical day in your life? What are the top 5-7 activities that you prioritize daily?

My days are packed with activities that keep Inagiffy running smoothly and growing steadily. Here’s a glimpse of what I focus on:

• Client interactions: From closing deals to upselling services, a significant part of my day involves connecting with clients. Many have become close friends, making these conversations both productive and enjoyable.
• Performance analysis: I dedicate time to examining campaign metrics, identifying what’s working, and brainstorming areas of improvement.
• Content collaboration: Working with my team on ideation, content development, and scaling successful projects is a daily priority.
• Operational tasks: Managing finances, compliance, and administrative work is part and parcel of running a business.

To recharge, I rely on late-night walks. These walks allow me to clear my head, reflect on the day, and mentally prepare for what’s ahead. It’s a simple yet powerful way to maintain clarity and focus.

What initially inspired you to pursue a career in your field? How did you prepare for this role alongside your other pursuits?

My journey into this field was sparked by a unique experience: working with a former Google programmatic ads team member who launched his own venture. My role was creating memes to drive traffic, which was then monetized. This experience taught me that any form of content can be turned into a revenue stream.

Later, at YouTube APAC, I gained firsthand insights into how some of the world’s largest publishers leveraged digital platforms to scale their influence. These learnings planted the seeds for Inagiffy. Initially, the idea revolved around using GIFs to share news; a concept that didn’t take off, but taught me invaluable lessons about audience engagement and content delivery. Running a daily newsletter for a year honed my skills in email marketing and eventually laid the foundation for what Inagiffy is today.

⁠Did you have any mentors or role models who guided you along the way? How did they impact your professional journey?

My professional journey has been profoundly shaped by incredible mentors, each contributing unique perspectives and lessons:

• Prasanna Iyer introduced me to the intricacies of the media industry during my time at Rezilient.
• Saif Gondekar emphasized the importance of cross-team collaboration, teaching me to value diverse inputs.
• Max Satter inspired me to embrace authenticity in communication, even suggesting that intentional typos can make emails feel more human and relatable.
• Vinay Anand encouraged the creation of intellectual property, a step that proved transformative for Inagiffy’s growth.
• Sharan Hegde supported our experiments with WhatsApp communities, helping us unlock new avenues for engagement.

These mentors not only guided my decisions but also influenced the ethos of Inagiffy as a brand built on innovation and authenticity.

⁠How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance? What strategies or practices do you use to manage stress and prioritize your well-being?

Maintaining balance in a high-stakes role like mine is challenging, but essential. Two practices have become my anchors:

• Late-night walks: After finishing work around 1 or 2 AM, I take a walk to decompress. This simple ritual allows me to clear my mind, reflect on the day, and let go of stress.
• Work-free gatherings: Hosting casual meetups where work discussions are off-limits helps me reconnect with others and recharge mentally.

These strategies ensure that I stay grounded, focused, and ready to tackle the demands of my role.

⁠Could you share some of the key milestones or achievements in your career? How have these shaped your growth trajectory?

Some milestones that have defined my career include:

• Sending millions of emails for industry leaders in banking, retail, and insurance.
• Building a remote team whose synergy feels natural and seamless, especially during our offsite retreats.
• Monetizing proprietary IPs with CPMs and CPCs that rival, and in some cases exceed, those of video content creators – a groundbreaking achievement in the email marketing space.

These accomplishments have reinforced my belief that even in traditionally overlooked domains like email marketing, there’s immense potential to innovate and thrive.

⁠How do you stay informed and up-to-date in your industry? Are there any specific resources, tools, or strategies that you depend upon?

With over 30 newsletters produced weekly, staying informed isn’t just a task, it’s a necessity. I’m deeply involved in researching industry trends, analyzing content, and quality-checking team outputs. Additionally, I subscribe to and read other newsletters, creating a feedback loop that ensures I stay ahead of the curve. It’s this commitment to continuous learning that keeps Inagiffy dynamic and relevant.

What drives your passion for the diverse roles you hold, and how do you continue to grow and evolve, ensuring you remain relevant and successful in your field?

The ability to say, “I send emails for a living,” and see genuine responses like, “This is so cool!” or “Loved it!” is incredibly motivating. Each positive reaction reinforces why I do what I do.

Beyond personal validation, my deeper passion lies in fostering connections. Whether through a well-crafted email or a WhatsApp group, the ability to bring people together and watch these connections evolve into meaningful relationships is what truly excites me. For me, it’s not just about creating content; it’s about creating community.

How do you think Newsletters are helping brands in the advertising and marketing space?

Newsletters have become a transformative tool for brands, offering a unique opportunity to build long-term relationships with their audience. Unlike promotional emails or ads that users often ignore, newsletters deliver consistent, valuable content that keeps readers engaged.

When done right, newsletters move beyond mere marketing – they become a channel for storytelling, education, and connection. Brands that invest in thoughtful, meaningful newsletters are not just promoting products; they’re building trust and loyalty in ways that few other channels can replicate.

Also Read: Ad land’s young guns: Krati Gupta, Director - Media Planning, EssenceMediacom