1. As the co-founder of one of the most sought-after marketing agencies in India, can you share some philosophies that have been instrumental in achieving this growth?
It’s incredibly rewarding to see our agency become a leader in the Indian marketing space. Two key philosophies have fueled this growth: fostering a culture of inclusivity and building genuine partnerships with our clients.
First, inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do. We believe the best ideas come from a diverse range of perspectives. Our team is a vibrant mix of talents and backgrounds, allowing us to craft campaigns that resonate with a wider audience and stay ahead of the curve.
Second, we don’t just execute campaigns; we become an extension of our clients’ teams, deeply invested in understanding their goals and crafting strategies. It’s about measurable results, of course, but also about fostering long-term relationships where everyone thrives.
2. Team Pumpkin recently opened an office in Canada, marking your expansion into North America. What opportunities does Team Pumpkin see in the North American market that motivated this move?
While we’ve been fortunate to serve a strong North American client base for several years, establishing a physical presence allows us to fully immerse ourselves in the unique needs and opportunities of the Canadian market. We have identified clear market gaps in both the technology and marketing landscapes within Canada. Our expertise in integrated marketing solutions, coupled with a strong understanding of data-driven strategies, positions us to effectively address these gaps and provide valuable solutions to Canadian businesses and organizations.
Additionally, our goals in Canada extend beyond simply ideating and executing successful tech and marketing initiatives for private and public entities. We are committed to giving back to the Canadian community and are actively seeking partnerships with non-profit organizations to make a positive impact. Furthermore, we plan to launch a startup enablement program specifically designed to accelerate the growth of Canadian startups.
3. Team Pumpkin has won over 100 national and international awards. How do these awards impact the company’s reputation and growth?
You know, awards are fantastic for team morale, a real pat on the back for all the hard work everyone puts in. But honestly, their biggest impact is on our clients. Our track record of achievements serves as a testament to our commitment to delivering results. It’s a form of independent validation that assures our clients they’re partnering with a company known for excellence. That kind of validation goes a long way in building trust and attracting new clients who are looking for proven results.
4. What unique strategies does Team Pumpkin deploy that sets them apart from others in the industry? Any campaigns that you would like to highlight?
One of the things that truly sets Team Pumpkin apart is our focus on what we call ‘holistic creativity.’ We don’t just think about creating out-of-the-box campaigns. We bring together strategic vision, design expertise, cutting-edge technology, and the latest digital tools to craft truly immersive experiences for our clients. A great example of this is our ‘Har Maa Durga’ campaign for ITC’s Sunfeast Mom’s Magic. This outstanding AI-driven initiative celebrated the spirit of motherhood where we leveraged the power of AI to create a personalized experience for users.
Another example is our ‘Bingo Tedhe Medhe Snack Attack’ campaign. This generative AI campaign created a fun and interactive social media experience for viewers. These are just a couple of examples, but we believe in the power of storytelling, and we use cutting-edge technology to make those stories come alive.
5. As a successful independent agency, what were some of the challenges Team Pumpkin faced in the initial years and how did you overcome them?
Starting out, Team Pumpkin faced two main hurdles: building trust with new clients and convincing them that social media marketing was the future. We were a new agency, and naturally, brands were hesitant to hand over their marketing to us. We tackled this by being upfront about our values – honesty, integrity, and transparency. This transparency helped us land some fantastic early clients who we built strong relationships with.
I still remember, our first office was in Thane & back then we would have to request people to join the team. From there to now a team of 250+ people, the journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. But soon after our launch, we dealt with huge personal blows. Ranjeet, my co-founder, went through a very challenging period because of his Cancer diagnosis & I was also dealing with the same within my family. It was a brutal time, but you know what? It also showed us the true meaning of responsibility. We had a team to build, a dream to chase, and we weren’t going to let anything stop us.
