(20 February 2007 6:10 pm)

MUMBAI: Vyas Giannetti Creative is in expansion mode and within its ambit, the agency, in partnership with international retail firms, will launch two companies that will specialise in this domain. The first will be unveiled towards the end of March and the other within the first week of April.

Vyas Giannetti Creative COO Atul Hegde tells Indiantelevision.com that the alliances that have been struck with these International firms helps to bring to the table retail expertise customized to suite the Indian context.

"These will act as specialist companies both offering distinct functions within retail but keeping in mind the company's main focus on creativity. They will have a leadership and team of their own." However, he declined to comment on the details of these agreements.

In response to a growing client-cum-consumer demand, "These units will provide services that add on to traditional retail and will not be restricted to retail players alone but several brands that converge and leverage the sheer footfalls that the retail space offers."

What's more, VGC is looking to launch two more specialist firms, a corporate brand identity firm within the next six months and the other before the end of the fiscal that closes in April 2008, taking the count to six companies under the VGC umbrella (including Vyas Giannetti Creative and VGC Sports).

"We want to be niche, but niche is not small anymore, it means specialization and delivering distinct offerings. In doing so we do not want to cannibalize or hive off clients from our existing businesses," he adds.

Firming up plans for each of these start-up organizations with global players, the company is looking to rope in more International clientele.

VGC belongs to IN Network - a communications network of independent global agencies. This provides an opportunity for cross country exchange and has helped them establish partnerships by which VGC currently services clients in Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, UAE (Middle East) and London.

As for setting up individual offices abroad, he mentions, "We need not have a physical presence in a region to service clients there. I am very confident of servicing clients in Asia and UAE, right out of Mumbai and Delhi. But if a certain chunk of business emanates from a given geography and necessitates a separate office, then we will do so."

Bullish about the future of VGC's expansion he asserts, "We have clocked 150 per cent growth this year and expect that the contribution from the four specialist firms will be at a significant 40 per cent, while the sports unit will add 25 per cent and the existing advertising business 35 per cent to the overall revenue. With an annual turnover of Rs 1.75 - 1.8 billion over this year, the company is targeting a total of Rs 6 billion over the next three years."