Akshay Gurnani, Schbang’s Co-founder & CEO, has announced his exit after a remarkable decade at the helm of one of India’s leading creative and technology transformation agencies. Since co-founding Schbang in 2015, he played a crucial role in reshaping the marketing landscape, helping the company expand across Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, London, and Amsterdam with over 1,100 employees servicing 200+ brands globally. Under his leadership, Schbang executed award-winning campaigns for major corporations, including Pidilite, Perfetti, Godrej Consumer Products, Tata Consumer, L’Oreal Group, and many more.
During his tenure, Akshay Gurnani received multiple accolades, including 30 Under 30 Awards and recognition as one of India’s Top 50 Content Marketing Professionals. In his exit statement, he emphasized the importance of business effectiveness and digital transformation in today’s evolving marketing industry. He aims to focus on driving hyper-growth strategies for brands and agencies in India and the UAE.
Schbang’s exponential rise under Gurnani has positioned it as a dominant player in the creative and technology space. His departure marks a significant transition, signaling new directions for both him and the company.
1. Schbang’s Business Model and Growth Strategy
1.1 Working Model of Schbang
Schbang operates as an integrated creative and technology transformation company. It offers a mix of digital marketing, branding, media solutions, technology services, and business consulting. By combining strategy with execution, the firm provides end-to-end marketing and digital transformation solutions for brands looking to scale their presence.
1.2 Revenue Model
Schbang’s revenue model primarily focuses on three key streams:
- Retainer-Based Services: The company works with brands on long-term contracts, offering creative, media, and digital strategy services.
- Project-Based Revenue: Short-term projects, including branding, performance marketing, and campaign execution, contribute to earnings.
- Technology Solutions: Schbang provides AI-driven marketing automation, software development, and data analytics services to enhance brand strategies.
With its revenue diversifications, Schbang has ensured a strong financial foundation, enabling sustained growth across multiple geographies.
1.3 Funding Background
Schbang has primarily grown through bootstrapped methods and internal revenue reinvestment. Unlike many startups, it has not aggressively pursued external funding rounds. The company’s success comes from its ability to maintain profitability while expanding operations organically.
1.4 Founders and Leadership
Schbang was co-founded in 2015 by Akshay Gurnani, Harshil Karia, and Sohil Karia. Akshay, with his expertise in digital marketing, played a crucial role in shaping the agency’s strategic direction and business expansion. His co-founders continue to lead the company with a vision to push boundaries in the creative and technology domain.
1.5 Services and Products Offered
Schbang offers a wide range of services, including:
- Creative & Branding Solutions – Brand positioning, digital content creation, advertising campaigns
- Performance Marketing & Media Buying – Data-driven ad strategies, social media marketing, and PPC advertising
- Technology & AI Solutions – AI-powered automation, website/app development, and CRM solutions
- Business Consulting – Digital transformation strategies, growth consulting, and market analytics
- Influencer & Social Media Marketing – Collaboration with influencers and execution of brand-driven social campaigns
2. Impact of Akshay Gurnani’s Exit
2.1 Legacy at Schbang
Under Gurnani’s leadership, Schbang has executed award-winning campaigns for Fortune 500 brands. The agency has played a pivotal role in transforming marketing strategies across industries, including FMCG, automotive, consumer tech, and finance.
2.2 His Future Plans
In his farewell message, Akshay highlighted his next move towards business effectiveness consulting. He plans to assist brands and agencies in India and the UAE in achieving sharper digital transformation and revenue-driven marketing outcomes.
2.3 Industry Trends & Future of Digital Marketing
With the rapid rise of AI-driven marketing, brands now focus more on performance metrics, ROI-based campaigns, and hyper-personalized experiences. Akshay Gurnani’s shift towards business growth consulting aligns with this trend, emphasizing the importance of technology-driven brand strategies.
3. Learning for Startups and Entrepreneurs
- Bootstrapped Growth Can Be Powerful – Schbang scaled significantly without external funding, proving that strategic reinvestment and operational efficiency can lead to sustainable success.
- Leadership Transitions Are Natural – Founders must recognize the right time to move on and take on new challenges, just as Gurnani did after a decade.
- Adapting to Market Trends Is Key – With digital marketing constantly evolving, agencies must embrace AI, automation, and data-driven strategies to stay competitive.
- Client-Centric Approach Works Best – Schbang’s success stems from its ability to align business objectives with creative and technological solutions tailored for each brand.
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