MAM
How to tackle lockdown woes the Schbang way
NEW DELHI: It can’t be said enough that the ongoing COVID2019 crisis has impacted the business of creative and media agencies severely. From mainline to digital, every business is facing serious problems in functioning. However, creativity has seen no dearth in its virtue during the crisis.
Mumbai-based integrated solutions agency Schbang has been one of the top performers during the term, helping its clients with out-of-the-box creative solutions, helping them stay relevant during this time of dip in sales.
They have got people growing their hair for BBlunt #GrowOutChallenge, promoting Tinder’s free passport services, and also shot a virtual commercial for Pillsbury Atta that will go live soon. The whole video has been shot virtually and directed via Hangouts, Whatsapp video, Skype etc.
Schbang founder-MD Harshil Karia shares, “8 actors from across the country are a part of this video. While the actors are chosen basis their acting capabilities, we are also keeping in mind their respective kitchen aesthetics too as this is being shot from home in their own kitchens.”
But how has the team managed to create so much of good work despite the many restrictions that the lockdown has come with? The credit can be given to a detailed work-from-home policy that Schbang created for its teams, which consists of not just work but also play.
According to Karia, the agency was quick in adapting to the work-from-home situation. “We started acting even before the lockdown was announced and sent to our employees’ homes their computer systems in advance. We also charted out rules, and also introduced several interesting activities and challenges to keep the team engaged.”
He also shared the detailed WFH Guidelines with us. The document mentions three general tips: maintaining disciplined work hours, reiterating those working hours to clients if needed, and take scheduled breaks.
Schbang has also guided its team leads to minimising the number of places they contact with members and sticking primarily to emails for coordination. They are also scheduling daily meetings to brainstorm and has limited the number of participants in those, keeping in mind people spend time on only important things.
They have also created a model for sharing feedbacks.
This has helped the agency in streamlining its processes better and work effectively in set timelines.
Apart from this, the teams across Mumbai and Bengaluru have created several WhatsApp groups to come together for certain activities such as cooking, working out (sessions in the morning and/or evening), photography, trivia/quiz, a jamming team called Schband and some indulgence into groups playing Ludo too online.
Karia shares, “These groups are buzzing daily keeping the energy and momentum going. The cooking group called Schefs of Schbang seems to be a bigger hit and we soon will be launching an Instagram page dedicated to that.”
They also have two tracks for workouts, one for the morning and one for the evening. Karia noted, “The teams come together online and workout or mediate together using some subscriptions we have from Mindhouse and cure.fit. Or just motivate each other to get out there and stay fit.”
Additionally, a live thematic quiz experience is undertaken every Sunday on various topics like Harry Potter, Friends, The world of Disney & Marvel, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Office, among others.
Karia concluded, “While work has not been easy and everyone's had their fair share of highs and lows in terms of energy, these team activities are helping people to stay motivated, connected, and happy. Being in a creative space, people interaction, and feeding off each other's energies is what we enjoy the most. So keeping that going even virtually is a step in the right direction for the team.”
Brands
Axis Bank named Official Banking Partner of DP World PGTI
Partnership supports all tournaments this season to grow professional golf in India.
MUMBAI: Axis Bank just teed up a hole-in-one partnership because when a bank sponsors golf’s biggest swing in India, even the fairways feel more financially secure. Axis Bank has been appointed Official Banking Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI), strengthening its commitment to sporting excellence and community engagement while backing the growth of professional golf across the country.
Under the partnership, Axis Bank will support all DP World PGTI tournaments this season, contributing to talent development, enhanced tournament experiences and wider fan engagement. The collaboration aligns the bank’s values of precision, discipline and trust with the Tour’s focus on performance and opportunity.
Axis Bank executive director Munish Sharda said, “We are pleased to partner with DP World PGTI as its Official Banking Partner. Golf embodies precision, discipline, and a pursuit of excellence qualities that strongly reflect who we are at Axis Bank. This association also strengthens our engagement with India’s growing premium customer segments, where the sport has a deep and enduring connect.”
Professional Golf Tour of India president Kapil Dev said, “We are extremely pleased to welcome Axis Bank as a Tour Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India. Partnerships of this stature play a vital role in strengthening the foundation of the Tour, enhancing opportunities for our players, and expanding the sport’s reach across the country.”
Professional Golf Tour of India CEO Amandeep Johl added, “Axis Bank’s strong legacy of excellence, innovation, and nationwide reach aligns perfectly with DP World PGTI’s goal to elevate professional golf in India and provide greater opportunities for our players.”
In a sport where every stroke counts and every partnership drives distance, Axis Bank isn’t just backing golfers, it’s investing in the fairway to future, turning India’s greens into a stage where precision meets passion and every drive has the power to inspire.
