Naked Communications to launch India operations in March

Naked Communications, the UK-based communications consultancy, is finally setting up shop in India. The agency, which has zeroed in on Mumbai for its India office, will open its doors for business on 22 March, followed by an official launch in April during Goafest.

The leadership team of Naked, including Jon Wilkins who was a speaker at Goafest 2008 (now based out of Naked’s Sydney office) is expected to be in India to flag off operations. The agency, known in the US as the "McKinsey in jeans and T-shirts" was founded in the UK in 2000 by Wilkins, John Harlow and Will Collin.

Speaking to Campaign India, Ivan Pollard, group partner, Naked Communications said, "We got pretty close to launching our India office a year and a half ago. Then the businesses in Europe went through a rough time, although America held its own. But now we’re seeing signs of recovery and it is a good time to launch. We’ve set ourselves a date – 22 March – to set up shop in India."

The agency is still evaluating whether to enter the Indian market independently or with local partners. "We’ve had a number of conversations with potential partners here and we’re evaluating the appropriateness of our offer. We are very committed to independent thinking and it is the independence which allows us to be really authentic and transparent with the client," Pollard added. "There are huge opportunities on both sides and there’s so much to learn from India. Naked might catalyse the market by taking it to another level."

Naked wants to be seen in the role of a consultant, which will collaborate with existing agencies. "We’ve never had a problem collaborating with agencies, which we still do. That’s how we work in most parts of the world," Pollard said.

Initially, the UK office will lend support to the Mumbai office to help it finds its footing. Apart from local hires, some key people from the UK office are expected to shift to Mumbai as well.

Pollard said that Naked is currently identifying clients in India who 'understand and respect thinking'.  "Some of our global clients are already operating in India and we’re also having conversations with local clients," he said.

The agency’s official blog –House of Naked - states that it is hiring "creative thinkers with no less than 5 years of experience" from all backgrounds –"brand planners, media planners, account managers, consultants, researchers".

Specifically for India, Naked is answering queries at [email protected]