INKA Creative Agency

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Yayasan Sime Darby is the philanthropic arm of Sime Darby Berhad, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad and Sime Darby Property Berhad. Established in 1982, the foundation revolves around five pillars: Education, Environment, Community & Health, Sports, and Arts & Culture. Since its inception, the foundation has expanded its wings from offering scholarships to outstanding and deserving individuals to funding impactful conservation, outreach and development programmes. I work as the public relations assistant manager / lead who oversees all communications and PR initiatives while working closely with stakeholders, beneficiaries and vendors.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire INKA Creative Agency, and what were your goals?

We worked with INKA to produce our 2020 annual report, which is a special edition it was in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of YSD's operations team. INKA assisted us in highlighting the impact of YSD's decade-long endeavours across its 5 pillars in the annual report.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We invited several agencies including the previous agency we worked with for our 2019 annual report to pitch design concepts for the 2020 annual report and a few came back with their proposals including INKA.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

INKA was tasked to develop each page of YSD annual report creatively, expanding on the concept they proposed and adhering to YSD branding guideline, the brief provided as well as the theme of "A Decade of Meaningful Impact". They also conducted proofreading, the adaptation and curation of a digital version of the report for a microsite. This meant they also completed and packaged digital and print-ready files for the microsite. On top of that, they were also tasked to complete the print production of the report and deliver 100 copies of the over-100 page report. Inka also included value-added services such as photography services of YSD staff and council members, business card design as well as social media festive posting designs.

What was the team composition?

YSD PR team worked closely with an account executive assigned, supported by a design team, supervised by an account manager and a creative director.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The team including our CEO Dr Yatela were very pleased with the final outcome of the annual report production due to its aesthetic appeal and clean layout designs. INKA team was met with a challenge of including an entire new section midway through the project but they took it on well and delivered on time.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

By using Trello as a platform to exchange files and keep track of the timeline, it prevented the YSD team from having to go through email clutters to complete the project. The workflow between both teams was effective and streamlined.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Its experience and expertise especially in design, as well as the tenacity of its representatives in standing by their design and creative principles.

Is there any area for improvement or anything that could have been done differently?

The escalation of issues or emergencies could be improved but having said that, the pandemic threw a spanner into our works as both teams had to work from home and affected our communications.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

EMSB is a property development company and its current project is a 4-star hotel in Southkey, Johor Bahru. I'm the managing director there.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire INKA Creative Agency?

We hired INKA Creative Agency to create a brand, do the naming, and develop a concept for the hotel.

What were your goals for this project?

They needed to create a good brand for a business hotel that can cater to business travelers, both local and international. The main idea is to be different from other hotels in the vicinity.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

The company did a pitching process and they were the best!

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

They did the following for us:

• Branding naming
• Concept development
• Designing hotel amenities
• Creating posters, banners, and billboards
• Social media content
• Website development
• Videography
• Photography

What was the team composition?

We are currently working with 3 amazing people, namely, Amin, Edlyn, and Amira.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

There's an increase with the inquiries we receive leading to more career opportunities.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We meet on regular basis on WhatsApp daily.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

These are the following things that impressed me the most about their company:

• Commitment
• Attention to detail
• Very accomodating

Are there any areas for improvement?

None.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of a specialist unit for the sovereign weath fund of Malaysia

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire INKA Creative Agency?

Website design and maintenance; specialist portal design, development and maintenance; IT advisory services

What were your goals for this project?

Speed was critical because the former vendor completely messed up the project and left us more than 8 months behind schedule. INKA caught us and got us way ahead of schedule. Now that is incredible!

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

By reputation, by word of mouth and some limited prior experience

Describe the project in detail.

Website design and maintenance; specialist portal design, development and maintenance; IT advisory services

What was the team composition?

The CEO-Principal of INKA stayed involved throughout the period of the project for us. He was not required to attend all meetings but he was always fully, aware of developments and was totally conversant with all aspects of our work and requirements

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

As mentioned, the former vendor messed up our project very badly, so much that we terminated them for non performance and they are reputedly an organization with some presence and reputation in the market. What was perhaps lacking was their commitment to our work. INKA was 180 degrees in the opposite direction: always committed, always on the ball, and costs were always more than reasonable

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

I have had absolutely zero issues working with them. Zero.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Speed, efficiency, ability to anticipate possible requirements, They always have a great attitude and very reasonable fees

Are there any areas for improvement?

None that I can think of. I would use them every time that I can.