AgTalk | We are planning to drive creative culture: Dentsu's Rohit Ohri

Dentsu India recently announced the acquisition of 80 per cent stake in the Indian digital agency, Webchutney. The wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo based media giant, Dentsu Inc has made this second acquisition by buying Network18 Media and Investments’ stake at an undisclosed valuation. Earlier in August 2012, it had acquired a majority stake in Taproot India.

The Japanese advertising major began its operations in India in October 2003 by forging a joint venture with Sandeep Goyal’s Mogae Group. It bought out Goyal’s stake in 2011 thereby taking full control of the Indian operations. Currently Dentsu India group comprises of three independent, full-service advertising agencies Dentsu Communications, Dentsu Marcom and Dentsu Creative Impact; a media arm, Dentsu Media; Dentsu Digital, a digital agency; and Taproot India.

All the agency’s Indian operations are headed by Rohit Ohri, Executive Chairman. Working in close conjunction with the leadership team in India and Japan, he is responsible for the organizations strategy and growth in India. Prior to Dentsu, Ohri  was the Managing Partner of leading advertising agency JWT India for over two decades. He also leads the charge on the group’s various initiatives in corporate branding, organisational development and people management in compliance with Dentsu Inc’s best practices across its global network.

Post the announcement of Webchutney’s acquisition, Adgully caught up with Ohri to know his views on various aspects and the Dentsu India Group. The following are the highlights of the conversation:

Adgully (AG): Congratulations on the new addition to Dentsu India’s business portfolio. Could you share your thoughts on the Indian digital agency Webchutney?

Rohit Ohri (RO): We are building the network of the future and the partnership with Webchutney which is a step in the right direction. Webchutney’s services span web design, social media, mobile and experiential digital advertising. With over 200 employees and offices across Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, the agency founded by Siddharth Rao and Sudesh Samaria have an interesting roster of clients including Airtel, Unilever, MasterCard and Coca-Cola. The agency will  continue to operate independently, under the management control of its current leadership.

AG: How will the acquired entity and Dentsu’s integrated approach provide an edge as a player in the industry?

RO: The integrated approach is quite fundamental to the way Dentsu works. Unlike other agencies we have never diversified our media business or separated a company. It is a fact that Dentsu has always kept all the entities within the group and this has been the strength of our group. With the latest acquisition of Webchutney we have enhanced our skills and capability in the integrated approach.

AG: There have been many positive changes with you coming on board. Can you mention a couple of them and how it has helped the group?

RO: I have brought in the best talent in the agency which is the most important thing. Also if we see the acquisitions that have happened, we have acquired all well established players of the industry. The big task in the entire process is to convince the players that we are a good option for them and I am happy that people see talent in us and want to be a part of Dentsu.

AG: What are Dentsu’s plans in terms of nurturing and encouraging today’s young talent and grooming them for the future ?

RO: The young talent today looks for guidance and also  have the need to be understood. So the important part for them is that we as a company are still developing our network which can be an added advantage for them.

AG: What is your vision for Dentsu’s future in India ?

RO: One of the most important aspect for success in any organisation is the creative culture which includes awareness. The other important thing is creating an open and a transparent organisation where there would be no process ambiguities.

AG: Is there any plan on the anvil to make more acquisitions in the near future ?

RO: Not exactly as we have 360i in the US. They have done some best work with Oreo and we are planning to bring them to India.

AG: So, with 360i in India is there going to be a new division?

RO: No. They will be handling the Indian team with the expertise and knowledge that they have.

AG: In terms of growth could you share your expectations on the same ?

RO: We are looking at beating the industry growth. I think we are growing rapidly both in an organic and inorganic way. That is the important thing apart from acquisition and clients.

AG: Do you see 2013 as a better year than 2012?

RO:  Today clients too are facing several challenges. More than the physical downturn it is the prevalent negative sentiments in the market that is preventing them from spending given the fact that consumers of late are not buying. But all the same in the best interests of our client’s yes we have widened our client base.