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Pune-based Elephant Strategy + Design has tied up with RKS from the US to provide a bridge for North American clients seeking to improve their performance in the growing Indian market, and for Indian companies seeking a presence in the US
Elephant, a Pune-based strategic design firm, and RKS, a North American industrial design firm, have entered into a strategic partnership. Under this alliance, the two firms will provide a bridge for North American clients seeking to improve their performance in the Indian market, and for Indian companies seeking a presence in the US. The development has been confirmed by Ravi Sawhney, CEO, RKS, and Sudhir Sharma, director of Elephant Strategy + Design.
Says Sawhney, “We think of ourselves as the guide for companies building brand value globally. With Elephant as a partner, we’re able to craft a segment-specific understanding of international customs and cultures in order to develop new products and services that appeal to a range of global tastes and preferences.”
With the Elephant partnership, RKS hopes to deliver a broader range of value and market access to its clients, which include many US-based market leaders. As part of the agreement, RKS will license the use of its exclusive Psycho-Aesthetics methodology. RKS uses this platform to enable its clients to achieve market goals once newly designed products are launched. With this platform, RKS is able to determine sources of market demand and pinpoint the nature of target audience tastes and preferences in advance of the product design process.
RKS, founded in 1990 by Sawhney, is a full service industrial design consultancy offering a full range of strategy, innovation and design services. Its clients include Apple, JBL, Nokia, HP, Intel, Zyliss, Panavision and Medtronic. RKS has won more than 50 product design awards globally.
Adds Elephant’s Sharma, “RKS’ immense experience in product conception and understanding is its key strength. We look forward to sharing our deep understanding of Indian and Asian cultures with RKS.”
Started in 1989, Elephant Strategy + Design specialises in design of brand experiences for products, services and environments for the emerging markets. It has clients such as Bajaj Auto, Britannia, and Kirloskar Group.