December 5, 2024
Agency Interviews Interviews

#AgencyDissect: ABND

1.  Who are we?

Founded in 2010, ABND was founded with a simple aim to build brands that not only stand out but resonate deeply with their stakeholders. We focus on creating purposeful brands that bridge the gap between meaning and profitability. From ideation to evolution, ABND ensures that every brand we work with aligns with its guiding principles and drives business success.

We have clearly defined practice areas, each supported by dedicated teams: B2B Practice, Consumer Practice, Edunoia (India’s first and only dedicated brand consulting practice for the education industry), Culture Practice, and Signoia (our Spatial Practice).

Founded by Kunal Vora and Priyanka Shahra in 2010, with Sveta Vora joining as a partner in 2014, our leadership team also includes Ekta Banodkar as Creative Director and Maghan Varkey as Strategy Director. The ABND team is a blend of strategists, designers, researchers, writers, architects, and branding enthusiasts, all working together as Brand Practitioners.

2.  What does the agency do?

ABND offers end-to-end branding solutions, from brand strategy and identity creation to full-scale brand audits and communication strategy development. Known for our ability to align brand promise with consumer perception, we work across diverse industries, helping businesses position themselves distinctively in the market and create meaningful connections with their audiences.

3. What is the size and strength of the company?

ABND is a dynamic, mid-sized team of strategists, designers, writers, and researchers, offering diverse insights on every project. Our size allows us to take on dynamic projects while still providing each client with personalized attention. This blend of agility and impact is what sets ABND apart in the industry.

4.  What are the various services that your agency caters to?

We are a holistic branding company with strategy at our core. We believe in building brands that create impact and reach their full potential.

Strategy:

  • Brand & Business Alignment
  • Research, Analysis & Insights
  • Brand Audit
  • Brand Purpose, Positioning & Strategy
  • Brand & Portfolio Architecture

Design:

  • Naming & Verbal Identity
  • Visual Identity
  • Brand Toolkits & Guidelines
  • Brand Communication
  • Sonic & Motion Identity
  • UI Design
  • Packaging & Retail Design
  • Branded Experience

Culture:

  • Organizational Culture Branding
  • Employee Value Proposition (EVP) & Employee Experience
  • Employer Branding
  • Living the Brand 

5.  Some notable clients and campaigns you’ve worked on?

We have had the privilege of collaborating with renowned brands across our various practice areas, including:

  • B2B Practice – GMM Pfaudler, Precision Pipes, Evonith, Lloyds Metals, Grab (A Reliance Jio Company), Ridlr (An Ola Company)
  • Consumer Practice – Storia Foods, Saundh, Lavie, Alembic Pharmaceuticals, Roche Pharmaceuticals
  • Edunoia (Education Practice) – FLAME University, Emversity, Vidyashilp University, Yash Birla Group
  • Culture Practice – InfraMarket, SK Finance, Uneecops
  • Signoia (Spatial Practice) – Sabka Dentist, Wyndham Group, Goma Engineering

6.  What makes your agency stand out from the rest?

At ABND, we foster a ‘Culture of Brand Practitioners,’ which represents our team of diverse professionals from marketing, advertising, design, product development, public relations, digital, and branding. We break silos between strategy and design, treating the brand as a holistic entity rather than isolated elements. We don’t stop at creating unique, recognizable brands but also focus on futureproofing them, ensuring their ongoing success.

7.  What has been the biggest hurdle in your agency?

One of our greatest challenges has been bridging the gap between brand perception and reality. Many clients, especially in sectors like healthcare and education, struggle with entrenched public perceptions that don’t align with the true quality and value they offer. Overcoming these perceptions has required extensive research, continuous learning, and innovative strategies to reshape brand identities effectively.

8.  What are some of the key future goals or projects that the agency is working towards?

We’re focused on the future of branding, particularly in areas like purpose-driven storytelling, transparency, and community building. We are also working on expanding our footprint in digital brand experiences, leveraging new-age technology to enhance client engagement. Additionally, we’re exploring partnerships with educational institutions to inspire the next generation of branding professionals.

9.  How has the company culture affected overall performance?

We are an agency without the typical “agency baggage”; our company culture is rooted in curiosity, respect, and a commitment to excellence. This foundation fosters a collaborative, open environment that drives performance, attracts top talent, and empowers us to produce creative, impactful work that truly resonates with our clients. Through our “Emerging Brand Practitioner” program, we provide students each year with hands-on experience, allowing them to work on real-world branding projects. This initiative, along with our partnerships with educational institutions, enriches our team’s perspective and reinforces our belief in nurturing the next generation of branding talent.

10.  What roles is the agency hiring for, and how to reach out?

We are currently looking at hiring experienced brand strategists and designers. Interested candidates can reach out to us at careers@abnd.in for more information and to apply. We are excited to welcome passionate individuals who are eager to make an impact in the branding industry.