Taking Everest to new heights

8:2. That's how the scorecard reads at Everest Brand Solution's Delhi office. Yes, the branch, during the last six months, has quickly sewn up eight accounts; losing only two. But that's hard and boring statistics. The Everest story is really about an agency's revival from almost total ruin.

Spearheading the agency's bull run is Rajeev Rakshit, general manager and V-P at the agency's Delhi branch. Rakshit, who hates buttoned-down shirts and formal shoes, does not come across as a quintessential 'servicing' guy and definitely not as someone who has built quite a reputation at agency pitches. It's only the Maori tattoo on his arm that gives his spirit away.

“Touch wood! We have done well in the last six months. Except for the two accounts – Getit Yellow Pages and Maxima Watches, we haven't lost anything. At the same time, we have won diverse brands such as Ansals, Hitachi, Intex, AajTak, TCI, Intercontinental, Nip, and HFCL Connect. Plus, we are doing a project for The Times of India recently,” he says.

The agency will shortly roll out its work for TCI or the Transport Corporation of India account. “Not too many people are aware of the company or its XPS brand in India. Do you know that the company has a turnover of Rs 1,000 crore and has a presence across 2,000-plus cities?”

Rakshit attributes the impressive roster of clients to the quality of people, who have joined the agency in the recent past. “Take Prateek Bhardwaj for example. He, as you must be knowing, is from Lowe. He is a wonderful team player and a gifted creative professional. Then, we have Anil Varma and Sameer Miglani – both from Mudra, and Neeraja Shiknis from McCann. These people form the nucleus of Everest Delhi," Rakshit adds.

“My whole team identifies with the common vision of the agency and works towards realising it. I sincerely believe that great work can only happen when both the creative and the servicing teams interact as one big team. That has been Everest Delhi's strength,” he says, emphatically.

On the question of quality creative work produced by the Delhi branch, he proudly shows a book – 'The autobiography of an Air-Conditioner.' “We did the book on behalf of our client, Hitachi. People, who have read the book, can't stop raving about it,” he quips.

Everest Delhi has also produced the Hitachi 'phoos' TVC, which is quite popular in this industry segment. “The book is a media-independent idea. We tied up with Corner Book Stores to market the book. Already, a thousand books have got sold. Another reprint may be in the pipeline.”

The branch has apparently done some “good” work for HFCL's Connect. “Unfortunately, that's in the Punjab market and most people in Delhi and elsewhere are unaware about it. I wish they had taken notice of our good work.”

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