Ag Talk | We will continue to be a client focused agency, Sam Balsara

Madison Media the only Indian ad agency which doesn't have any international partner; is all set to embark on a new journey with Vikram Sakhuja on board. The announcement is probably one of the biggest news in the ad world for 2015.

With Vikram on board, the agency intends to strengthen their position within the industry. It has been speculated for a while now that the agency has been scouting for an international partner for two years now and is speculated to be in talks with WPP and Dentsu.

While the group has been one of the key advertising players for the last 26 years; Sam has taken it to a level which possibly no other Indian industry member has been able achieve.

Post the announcement, we at Adgully caught up with Sam Balsara, Chairman, Madison World to know about their plans in the way forward.

Adgully (AG): What made you get on board talent like Vikram Sakhuja?
Sam Balsara (SB): Gautam Kiyawat, our current CEO had to relocate to Singapore for personal reasons. So we had to look for another CEO. In keeping with Vikram’s stature and the high regard I have for him we offered him a stake. He also wanted to return to India, if here was an appropriate opportunity.

AG: With Vikram on board, what are your plans in the way forward?
SB: We like to stick to the knitting.  We will continue to be a client focussed agency.

AG: What kind of expertise does he bring on board?
SB: Having worked with advertisers, media partners and media agencies across India and the globe, Vikram has rich and varied experience that is invaluable for our clients.

AG: Also with his expertise, will it help the agency in negotiating better with an international agency?
SB: No. That is not on the cards.

AG: How will it benefit the agency?
SB: It will benefit our clients and that is more important. Having worked with advertisers, media partners and media agencies across India and the globe, Vikram has rich and varied experience that is invaluable for our clients.

AG: What will be his key responsibilities?
SB: He will be driving the Media and OOH businesses and focus on our clients and provide strategic advice to them. We are for the first time bringing Media and OOH under one roof.

AG: Are you looking at more key talents to strengthen the team?
SB: An Agency’s core strength is its Talent base, processes, culture and value system. We are always on the lookout for talent, specially adding diversity to our talent base.

We also caught up with industry veterans to know their views on how the agency will benefit.

Sundeep Nagpal, Founder Director at Stratagem Media Pvt. Ltd. said, "Vikram’s experience and equity with international brands could come in handy for such brands that are either already in India, or looking to enter the country. And of course, existing clients of Madison could benefit from Vikram’s experience on global practices in the business of media."

He adds, "Not necessary that it will help them get a foreign investor, but not out of the question either."

Harish Bijoor, Brand Expert & CEO Harish Bijoor Consultants Inc. said, "Sam has displayed the fact that he is putting together Madison Ver 2.0 if not 6.0."

On asking him about whether the appointment will help them get a foreign investor, Bijoor said, "This is certainly an aggressive effort and Vikram is a great name to bring in. Madison Media gets a new face in addition to the Sam Balsara imagery. In many ways this is a succession plan falling into place for sure. Sam has done brilliantly with this."

A senior member of the industry on the condition of anonymity said, “Sam is professionalizing the entire setup. Currently, Madison does not have succession and this is a strategic alliance towards the succession of the agency.”

He adds, “It might turn out to be a joint venture with GroupM and this is just a pre-cursor to the strategic alliance.”

We are happy that Vikram is now going to be a part of Madison and we wish him all the best. By Archit Ambekar | Twitter: @aambarchit