Ashok Lalla, who started his career in advertising in 1993, has now come back to the business after 12 years.
He has joined Euro RSCG as President, Digital and will report to Suman Srivastava, CEO, Euro RSCG India. Ashok will strengthen the digital marketing services offered by the agency
Lalla has moved from Taj Hotels, where he was director of Internet marketing for the last nine years. He was responsible for brand building and creating awareness about Taj Hotels through internet marketing. He helped the group to launch its website, TajHotels.com in 2000 and set up e-commerce functionalities on the site.
While speaking about his work at Taj, Ashok, said, “Taj Hotels is now earning 50 per cent of its online revenue from bookings that take place through its website.”
On the reason behind moving to the agency side, he said, “I want to use my skills and knowledge, acquired while handling internet marketing for Taj Hotels for nine years, across companies and industries.”
Euro RSCG has no separate digital division; and it is not planning to set one up as yet. However, Ashok reveals that the agency will build a team of digital marketing experts. He says, “Euro RSCG will keep on offering integrated marketing solutions to clients and digital marketing will be part of this. I will also be responsible for generating digital business for the agency.”
He will evangelise the digital medium among Euro RSCG’s employees and existing clients.
Ashok has about 16 years of work experience. He worked with Enterprise Nexus Communications, now Bates 141, as senior account executive from 1993 to 1997. He then moved to Taj Hotels as advertising manager. In 1999, he joined Times Multimedia, where he was responsible for marketing educational CD-ROMs. In 2000, he came back to Taj Hotels.