| What has been your role in the new business efforts of the agency? | |
|---|---|
| Rajeev Rakshit, Executive Director | Leading, networking, cold calls, front man on pitch invitations, credentials (group and agency),leading strategies and creative, follow-ups, negotiations, finding closures....one man team on!!! |
| What is your background, in terms of agencies, accounts, and client-side experience? | |
| Rajeev Rakshit, Executive Director | Rajeev fell in love with advertising almost 14 years back, giving up his earlier ambition and years of labour pursuing a career in finance LB became the obvious choice for Rajeev, with his passion for ‘ideas’. He has always believed in and championed the cause for media independent thinking, more often than not providing his brands with an edge. Rajeev has been fortunate to have worked from some of the largest networks, to far more entrepreneurial local agencies. Including, O&M, Bates Clarion, McCann, Euro RSCG, Publicis and Everest DY&R And has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience working on blue chip brands like Air Deccan, Subhiksha, Peter England People, Nestle, Philip Morris, HP, Intel, Nokia, Motorola, Microsoft, Dell, Hitachi, Essilor, Ferrero, S Tel (Bahrain Telecom), ibibo.com, DLF Real Estate, JK Tyres, SAB Miller, Wipro, to name a few... |
| As if you were writing to a prospective client, describe the agency in no more than 3 sentences: | |
| Rajeev Rakshit, Executive Director | We love to partner clients who dream big!!!! |
| Stuart Elliott, who writes about agencies for The New York Times, is doing a story about agencies around the world. After spending After spending a day at your offices, and then going back to write the piece.... what would the headline be? | |
| Rajeev Rakshit, Executive Director | Be sacred...very scared! |
| Now bring the agency to life. You have certainly been through this exercise, however applying it to your agency agency can be quite revealing in understanding more about your "DNA". If the agency were a car, what kind would it be? What color? Why? | |
| Rajeev Rakshit, Executive Director | Bat mobile....self-explanatory. |
| What agencies do you most admire? Why? | |
| Rajeev Rakshit, Executive Director | Few years back i would have said St. Lukes, BBH, Fallon, etc....not today...I admire individuals more.... |
| List the top few agencies that you do/will compete against most often. | |
| Rajeev Rakshit, Executive Director | top 20 in India... |
| In the eyes of clients, what do you provide of value, that none of your competitors do? | |
| Rajeev Rakshit, Executive Director | Understanding of their business (not just sales and marketing)....and consumers at a street level (not account planning). They see us as consultants. And, oh yes, we do what it take to make their brands succeed...impossible is nothing. |
| Are there any negative perceptions that prospects might have about the agency that could hold you back in new business? | |
| Rajeev Rakshit, Executive Director | Small. New |
| What is one of the most innovative "pitch or RFP tactics" the agency has ever applied in a new business situation? This might include a distinctive questionnaire response or RFP, "presentation theater," dressing of the room, unique video content, innovative research, a special way of engaging/interacting with the client, etc., etc. | |
| Rajeev Rakshit, Executive Director | "I don't think we are right for you. You should look for a conventional agency." |
| The following is a list of potential roadblocks that hold you back with your overall new business efforts. On a scale of 1- 10, rate each on how much it is a road block (1 being not a road block, 10 being a significant road block): | |
| Rajeev Rakshit, Executive Director | 7 |
| Specifically regarding pitches/RFPs, when you lose, what are typically the top 3 reasons? Consider both the client's expecations and how you compare to your competitive set. (check only 3) | |
| Rajeev Rakshit, Executive Director | |
| When you win a pitch, what do you think are typically the top 3 reasons? (check only 3) | |
| Rajeev Rakshit, Executive Director | |
| Bottom line, what do you think the agency most has to do to improve at new business? | |
| Rajeev Rakshit, Executive Director | A stronger/bigger team...we are learning how to crawl....walking or running is some time away... |