Campaign India Agency Report Card 2011: Stark Communication

Ownership: Independent

Key Personnel: TK Harshan, chairman, BR Swarup, MD, Roy  V Mathew, director, Anil Musthafa, director - Kochi, PN Shanavas, director - Bangalore, Shelton Pinheiro, NCD, Prem Mathew, associate director and general manager 

Account won: Mazhavil Manorama, V-Star Creations,  Coconut Development Board, Francis Alapatt Jewellers, Dr. Yogiraj Center for Dermatology and Cosmetology,  Francis Alukkas Jewellers, Sunny Diamonds,  

Account lost: None reported

They might be the only agency outside the metros that has made a mark for its consistent quality work for the Manorama Group. Yes, the Kochi-based agency has had their account for years now, but they have been delivering super work, time and again. The print ads are noteworthy. You feel like spending half a minute admiring the ad, which shows how much they effort they put in their work for their existing client. In addition to that, the recent Kerala Tourism campaign was lauded and awarded at the New York Festival. Those who saw the campaign mentioned without fail that it was difficult to gauge that a nice regional agency could have created a world-class campaign, and that’s reason enough they have made it to this Agency Report Card.  
How Campaign India rates the agency: 5

How Stark Communications rates itself: not rated
In 2011, other than winning some challenging multi-agency pitches, the agency was on an award-winning spree. The “Your moment is waiting” campaign for Kerala Tourism that was premiered at the Saatchi Gallery in London went on to win a dozen awards including three Golds at the PATA international Awards, a Bronze at the Berlin Das Golden Stadttor, a Bronze and three finalist certificates at the New York Festivals,  another Bronze at the Prague International Advertising Festival (the only film from India to win), a D&AD shortlist, a Bronze at ABBY and a Silver at Pepper to name a few.

The agency was adjudged the “Agency of the Year” at Big Bang 2011 conducted by the Bangalore Ad club. Stark won a total of Seven golds, Four silvers and Four bronzes in various advertising and promotion categories. It has also won two individual honours for excellence in communication and media – Jaison Antony and Seetha Jayakumar were named the art director of the year and the copy writer of the year.

Stark was also adjudged the “Agency of the Year” at Pepper Creative awards (Ad Club Cochin). The brands that Stark represents have done well in the market place. The fact that the agency has not lost a single business proves testimony to our passion for being a true partner to our clients. In an era when the digital space is touted as the next big thing the agency has provided a 360 degree marketing perspective to clients and has expanded its presence in the digital realm.

2010 also saw the Stark team getting bigger with the addition of a few members at the senior level. Vinod Vareed has joined as Creative Group Head – Art from Satchi & Satchi Bahrain while Ajith Gopinath has joined as Associate Creative Director from Wunderman International, Delhi.