What’s on my mind? I don’t know!

I have started to type this sentence without any knowledge of what I am going to say in the next 300 odd words. This is a familiar situation to most creative people who sit and stare at the white blank paper everyday of his/her life while cracking an ad. A blank paper is scary at times; you don’t know where to start, what to draw or what to write.

The Facebook status asks ‘What’s on your mind?’ And I find it extremely difficult to fill in that blank. My mind is constantly churning thoughts. And they happen to be random every moment. Good, bad, meaningless, philosophical, childlike and wicked. And the list is endless. Information, Messages, Words, Images, Sounds gets tattooed on the brain. And this hard disk is storing everything I think or not think? Where am I heading? Why am I thinking in the first place? Why can’t I stop thinking? Shut my brain. Was it like this a few years ago? I ask this question to myself. I don’t think it was. Life was definitely not like this.

So, what has made this change? Not long time ago someone helped me open an email account. It was simple; writing a mail to a friend. Today, I don’t have the time to reply to any mails. Too much is happening in the virtual world which I have been part of it knowingly or unknowingly. I am sucked into it. It’s like I live another life in the virtual space. Can I discover a new dimension of myself? Am I the same person who is in the real world? I have noticed, otherwise unassuming, shy and quiet person suddenly showing completely opposite personality on the social networking sites. Should I call this double life?

We are social animals. But today we want to be even more social in a new world.

We like to know what is happening in other people’s lives, we want to share, we want to comment, we want to chat and we want to give our opinion. We want to sell, we want to buy and we want to get entertained. We have the option of changing our identity. Live vicariously. Will it stop here or is there something to be unraveled; something different and bizarre. Is life getting simpler or complicated? I don’t know. I don’t understand. I am not a psychologist.

We (Ignitees) live in one world and work in another. Isn’t it fascinating?

A project developed by American scientist for the United States Defense way back in 1973, known to us as Internet is now become part of ‘our’ DNA. And everyone’s too.

- Ashok Karnik

My Affair With Ignitee…

Fast, challenging and thrilling, is how I can describe my journey so far. Travelling woes to action filled schedule, happy/not so awaited moments make every day special in its own way.

Day starts with Julie’s sweet smile at reception desk, smiling faces, greetings by fellow Ignitees as you enter, which is followed by witty & humorous comments of Naresh and Nihal (they sit in the opposite bay) and by the time the work station is up you are geared up for the week.

Time actually flies, it’s been less than a year but it feels as if have been around for ages. The strength has almost doubled in last few months (renovation has already started), many new faces on the floor. However, the way they bond with each other, crack jokes and have fun while at work or in our small and special “Ganesh cafeteria” is awesome to see.

Friday (when we have IHE), I think is the attraction of the month as of now for Ignitees. Struggling with the daily work schedule, house captains & members running from post to pillar till the last moment, enthusiasm and the “Lets do it” attitude is something to look for. Bottom line is to have fun, fun and fun (no hidden agenda!!!).

Another common interest (how can I forget that!!!) of the Ignitees is “GOOD FOOD”, its one of the hottest and attention grabbing topic of discussion for majority of us. May it be the hard core maharashtrain cuisine of Annanthashram, Chinese of Shang Dynasty, Maroosh or any other outlet where you get taste bud tickling and to “die for” food. We, very regularly update each other of the newly discovered “Best food outlet” references too, which is almost a part of our TO DO list.

Even with all the fun, seriousness for work remains intact. Working on stringent deadlines, striving to do and deliver best is what I can see everyone is up to right now. Coming days are going to be filled with much more action and rocking stuff for sure!!!

Come so far but still a long way to go…

I'm Possible

The first words which come to my mind when I think of Ignitee is ‘Unstoppable’.

From the days of evangelizing the medium day in and day after, with little returns. Interacting with clients who were otherwise comfortable with the advent of every other new medium, but had little or no understanding of the power of this new medium.

To the days when ‘we’ were the market. Our efforts saw long term gains. There was no ‘nearest’ competitor (there existed nearly a dozen others, in fact, make that a baker’s dozen) in sight. Euphoric days when we were the most sought after to take to the altar and say ‘I do’.

To a large trough after the crest. Where the Ignitees did not waver. In fact, the adversities brought out an even higher sense of commitment to achieve and reach dizzying heights.

To today, when we have once again proved to the world that no human is indispensable. People make the Company. The Company’s thinking, culture and vision, make the people. A team which makes me proud. A team which today is the most sought after by the head hunters.

What we have seen and achieved is just the beginning. There are many more plans to take this to much larger levels. And this can only happen, if the personnel and the management concur to action. The next 12 months are ‘all action stations on the GO’.

MOANDAYs!!

Oh how I hate Monday mornings!!! This is a common wailing that happens in any office. Universally. For me, though Mondays are blessing...albeit in disguise. As I reach office, I am greeted by a bunch of mails and by the time we’ve had MMM I am totally charged up for the week ahead. If you look at Ignitee office from a bird’s view, it will seem as if industrious bees are working with a single minded dedication to nurture their bee hive. Truly, in sync.

At Ignitee, in the beginning you receive a diary in the shape of a matchbox with interesting trivia in it. You realize that this is a part of their branding. But, when you start working and get settled amongst Ignitees, one comes to understand the brand philosophy which is ingrained deeper than the match shape diary (no offence intended for the diary, in fact I find them really cute).

Another noteworthy aspect of this company (I like to call it a company as its values and work culture are far beyond that of a regular agency) is the seniors who are akin to pillars of foundation. They stop not at mere guidance or kind words of encouragement but motivate you, coach you so as to outdo your own expectations about yourself.

Achieving a family of 100+!! Seems impossible after Kauravas? Until you meet us Ignitees!

By the time, the so-called doomed day (Monday of course) nears its end I can’t imagine living without a crowd of Ignitees around me!

……And 9 Months after….

It was 20th August’08…I was coming for the Interview in Connecturf……Gautamm gave me address. It was something like Sitaram Mills Compound, N.M.Joshi Marg, Lower Parel (E).

I got a cab and told driver “Sitaram Mills Compound Jana Hai “...he took me to all compounds in Lower Parel except Sitaram Compound. Lol. After the lower Parel darshan when I finally reached Sitaram Mills Compound I saw all the old mill buildings and I thought where I am? It seemed as if time had stopped, koels chirping merrily. The hot blazing sun silently continues to throw more heat. No noise of cars…it felt like I was far off from Mumbai. I started wondering is this the right place for me? After the nomadic roam around for half an hour, I called up Gautamm several times to help me navigate my way. I finally reached & to my amazement the office seemed exceptionally larger-than-life, serene & full of positive aura.

Looking back now, when we started Search Department, we were only 3 people and we had only 2 small projects to handle. But things changed very rapidly after that. We had the opportunity to work with reputed clients. It’s just the beginning...Goodwill spreads eventually & here we are- NOW looking out to grow our Search Team...And after almost 10 months…with Jai Ho Congress, MOT and may more clients. Sparks like Ignition happening, I can safely say that this is the right time to dive into Digital Marketing & Advertising. I am proud to be a part of Ignitee which has a blend of talent, creativity, madness & lots of fun…great people to work with…hardcore foodies…hilarious dancers…crazy workaholics…singers…actors…& what not!

- Kamlesh Ek Sawal?

Why Ignitee Is the Much Coveted Place to Work

Ignitee is the coolest place to be on this earth! Ok I know the initial enthusiasm wears off like that for the newly married couple once they are back from their Lemon Sun (hmm honeymoon sounds too boring). But more than 3 months & I know I can safely say that the Lemon Sunny period is still going on man!

Ok here I go with some cool reasons to work with Ignitee (note: it’s NEVER ‘work for’ but ‘work with’)

* Words like ‘kit kit’ & ‘bossgiri’ ‘chamchagiri’, ‘I-am-the-boss-attitude’, ‘Only If…’, and ‘If you don’t then…’ blah blah blah don’t exist at Ignitee.

* Get unlimited access to internet, chai, kaaphi & nimbu paani

* Get Nihal’s idli chutney (early birds only!)

* Every Alternate Friday evening you can showcase your ‘kala’ i.e your talent

* Makes you feel at home (especially for the creative keedas who spend most of their weekends at moksh. (Ignitee’s abode)

* The fact that each karmchaari has some kind of uniqueness for e.g : Kunal’s taste for dukhi aatma gaane, my manager Kamlesh’s constant antics which include innovative style of mixing up a couple of songs & coming up with a funny composition, Monali’s amriki accent which tickles even our tongue bones (that was sad) & for my boss he keeps pulling our leg whenever he gets a chance hmmm…as for the new chick Bhakti we ragged her & made her remember her good ol’ college days! (Btw it was healthy ragging-we made her meow like a cat & dance her garba). As for the Creative team karmachari’s Nihal & Amyth (real name Amit) have the weirdest, funniest anecdotes just tell him anything & there it goes twisted & strangled to yet another ‘dilbert stumpleupon’. Creative Director Bhavna has a penchant for words, loves to scrabble & can smash guys! …I mean at table tennis…Our VP Mr.Ramani is a die hard cricket fan. There are many more characters here but for that you got to come to Ignitee for a live performance!

* We all keep dieting (decode dieting: a process of continuous diet intake)

* We have our lunch when the rest of the Iggi’s have their chai/kaafi/nimpu paani/etc & we still love it!

* You get a free body massage (b’day bums BUT only for GUYS!)

* Cool Ignitee Tees

On a serious note each day at Ignitee is learning & the people here are just so cool & chilled out! No one feels out of place here & infact each once of us discovers the ‘Ignitee’ in him/her. Hmmm till then will keep you updated with the Iggy Antics. Ciao!

IGNITEE NIGHTS

Big accounts. We’re getting some REALLY big accounts these days to work on. For security reasons (and to keep my sanity intact) I won’t reveal the names, but let it suffice to be known that they’re BIG.

And what do BIG accounts do? They keep the creative team up during the night. Yup, that’s us, the CREATIVE team. Web designers, art director, copywriter, creative director, illustrators, visualisers… the works. We stay up all night to work for a pitch that tons of other agencies are pitching for. We need to win, we WANT to win, we WILL win (it’s a kind of imaginary war cry I’ve made up in my head).

The best part is, we have fun during these nights. LOADS of fun. We do a lot of stuff in between work to keep us going through the night. We dance, we sing, we EAT (eat a LOT), and sometimes, if something interesting is happening on TV, we watch that too. Hey, I said we do this stuff IN BETWEEN work. We do work, you know. But we make sure that it doesn’t feel like work. We make it feel FUN and INTERESTING. Without that, you really can’t get through a night of work.

So, if you ever do want to know what having fun means, walk into our office past 10 PM on any given weekday (sometimes, weekend too). You’ll find us fooling and laughing around… and of course, working EXTREMELY hard. We just love this place. It’s truly ‘ignited’.