Arun Rajagopal

It’s all about the work, the work, the work February 19, 2007

Gifted copywriter with a decade of industry experience and a clutch of gleaming Cannes Lions in the den. No, not me. I’m a promising young writer with two years of sweatin’ it out in Oman’s neo-kitschy advertising and online mediascape. The official job title is ‘Content Strategist’. I work on leading telecom, industry, FMCG and auto brands in Oman. Will fit in as a valuable sidekick in any team willing to not only raise the bar, but also throw it away, should the need arise. And yes, I come with a few awards as baggage.

Here’s the better sheep from my flock. And the best are yet to come. On with my work.

INTERACTIVE / NEW MEDIA:
www.nawras.om
Brand: Nawras, a leading mobile communications service provider in Oman
Clientspeak: Hey partner, lets create a website that reflects Nawras as ‘The Sultanate’s customer-friendly communications provider’.
Lowdown: From creating a presentation that clinched the pitch from some ‘big’ names to developing an effective web strategy; donning the hat of a project manager and canoodling the team to work against looming deadlines; writing over 500 pages of gobbledygook; visiting net cafes to carry out usability studies; and overseeing daily web updates and content management – Nawras is my baby on the Web. Winner of 2 Gold awards at Oman Web Awards 2006: ‘Best of Best’ Website in Oman. Best ICT website in Oman.

www.imtac.om
Brand: IMTAC, a leading business technology solutions provider in the Middle East
Clientspeak: We need our corporate website up and running in time for the Arab Health Expo 2007. But hey, that’s only 1 week from today!
Lowdown: My claim to fame here is project management – ensuring that this leviathan website was designed and developed in just a week’s time. Met the deadline for both Arab Health Expo and Oman Web Awards. And walked away with a Silver award at Oman Web Awards 2006: Second Best ICT website in Oman.

www.yarisoman.om
Brand: Toyota Yaris
Clientspeak: I’m launching this new car for youth and I need to create a splash on the Web. What next?
Lowdown: Created an exhaustive strategy presentation (my first ever) that helped produce and sell the work to the client. And there’s been no looking back since. Been making online strategy presentations for clients across various domains in the Middle East which have helped us win new business. Guess, that’s why they promoted me to a Content Strategist.
Oh yes, yarisoman.com was the Gold winner at Oman Web Awards 2006 as Best Automotive website in Oman.

ADVERTISING:
KNOCK OUT THE COMPETITION – 2006
Brand: OMAN ECONOMIC REVIEW (OER), a leading business magazine in Oman
The Work: A direct mailer for OER CORPORATE CHALLENGE 2007, a ‘Corporate-Olympics’ event with the ultimate aim of identifying Oman’s No.1 corporate team.
Lowdown: Whether in boxing or any corporate duel, victory is when you knock out competition. A branded boxing glove & booklet were sent to over 500 top movers & shakers in Corporate Oman who were challenged to don the glove and participate in the event. With a response rate of 16.9%, the DM created a buzz and resulted in 22 teams signing up.

“GOT MORE?” – 2006
Brand: OMAN ECONOMIC REVIEW (OER), a leading business magazine in Oman
The Work: A press campaign to create hype about OER CORPORATE CHALLENGE 2007, a corporate-Olympics’ event with the ultimate aim of identifying Oman’s No.1 corporate team.
Lowdown: It takes a lot of grit, wits, guts and more to create true champions. The campaign announced to the corporate world that only corporate teams with the above attributes and the will to prove them were welcome at the Challenge.

Click here if you want to check out the other plump sheep in my flock such as…
Micro site for OER Corporate Challenge 2007
Micro site for Oman Mobile – Khareef Festival 2005
Micro site for Oman Mobile Business Communications Solutions
Corporate website for Khimji Ramdas, a leading business house in Oman
Corporate website for Al Safwah Dairy, Oman

Click here if you want to see more of my advertising work.