The Hindu Business Line : Enterprise IG gung-ho on Indian foray

Enterprise IG, the global brand agency and part of the WPP Group, believes that its association with brand design firm Ray and Keshavan will be "a rich marriage of business and creative agendas."

The WPP Group recently picked up 51 per cent stake in Bangalore-based Ray & Keshavan. Mr Simon Bolton, Worldwide CEO of Enterprise IG, said: "We hope to bring to India our expertise in brand experience, retail approach and brand engagement, i.e., communicating the values of the brand to employees. We will also learn from Ray and Keshavan about the Indian market and benefit from its insight and experience here."

The company post-acquisition may be called Ray & Keshavan Enterprise IG. But it will continue to be managed by Ms Sujata Keshavan, Managing Director.

According to Mr Bolton, the acquisition model will change in the next five years with WPP acquiring Ray & Keshavan entirely.

Enterprise IG has 24 offices across 21 countries. India is its latest foray. "With India being a critical economic power for the future, it is a critical market for us. And some of our multinational clients were also asking us to be in India. So we looked at Ray & Keshavan, the best in the branding and design industry in the country," said Mr Bolton.

Currently, Enterprise IG is working with clients such as HP, HSBC and Dubai-based Emaar Properties, which have specific interests in the Indian market.

Ms Keshavan said that the association with Enterprise IG would give Ray & Keshavan a wider canvas and the opportunity to work with global brands.

"Also, with Indian clients wanting to take their brands to outside markets, this association will help us present an unmatched offering to our clients, as we will have access to Enterprise IG's domain expertise and knowledge."

Ray & Keshavan is currently working with Canara Bank, Punj Lloyd and ACC on rebranding.