January 30, 2026

Visit Website

Schbang Review: India's Integrated Creative, Media & Technology Powerhouse

Schbang Review: India's Integrated Creative, Media & Technology Powerhouse
Schbang Review: India's Integrated Creative, Media & Technology Powerhouse

Overview: Who Is Schbang?

Schbang stands as one of India's fastest-growing independent creative, media, and technology transformation agencies. Founded in 2015 by three ambitious entrepreneurs—Harshil Karia, Sohil Karia, and Akshay Gurnani—what began as a 60-member agency in Mumbai has explosively grown into a 1,000+ strong team with international presence across UK, Netherlands, and soon the Middle East.

The name "Schbang" (originally spelled "Shebang") means "the whole thing"—and this philosophy defines everything the agency does. Rather than specializing in narrow services, Schbang delivers comprehensive, integrated solutions spanning creative, media, technology, production, and strategy. Their tagline says it all: "We Bring the Whole Schbang."

What makes Schbang remarkable isn't just their explosive growth—it's their fierce independence in an era of consolidation. While most digital agencies were being acquired by global networks, Schbang's founders deliberately built an integrated powerhouse that remains bootstrapped and independent.

Quick Facts About Schbang

  • Founded: January 2015 (10 years of explosive growth)

  • Founders: Harshil Karia, Sohil Karia & Akshay Gurnani (Harshil & Sohil now full owners as of March 2025)

  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

  • Additional Offices: Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, London (UK), Amsterdam (Netherlands)

  • Team Size: 1,000+ "Schbangers"

  • Ownership: Independent, bootstrapped (no external funding)

  • Clients Served: 300+ brands over 10 years

  • Annual Revenue: ₹214 Crore / $25.7M (FY 2024)

  • Growth: Grew from 60 to 1,200+ employees in under 10 years

  • Recognition: LinkedIn Top 25 Startups (2021), Financial Times High Growth Companies APAC (2020)

The Founders' Journey: From Digital Agency Veterans to Independent Powerhouses

The Origin Story (2015)

Schbang's founding story is one of conviction, timing, and three complementary skill sets coming together at the perfect moment.

Harshil Karia (Founder & CEO) brought 11 years of digital agency experience, having previously co-founded Foxymoron, a successful creative and performance digital agency that worked with major brands like Cadbury, Maybelline, Garnier, and L'Oréal. However, by 2014, Harshil felt "compressed and choked" as the co-founders' visions diverged. "Alignment on thought processes and alignment on values is what led me to rethink continuing to work," he later revealed.

Sohil Karia (Co-Founder & Chief Design/Technology Director), Harshil's brother, is the technical genius behind Schbang. He built and trained the entire design and web development team from scratch, bringing deep expertise in creating bleeding-edge technology solutions.

Akshay Gurnani (Former Co-Founder & CEO until March 2025) started as a content writer and account executive, rising through the ranks to become CEO. Over his decade with Schbang, Akshay was instrumental in scaling the business from startup to global force.

The Perfect Storm: Why 2015?

The founders recognized a critical gap in India's digital ecosystem. In 2015, massive consolidation was happening—most independent digital agencies were being acquired by global holding companies (WPP, Dentsu, Publicis, Omnicom). The industry was fragmenting into specialists: social media agencies, performance agencies, creative boutiques, tech agencies.

Harshil's Vision: "There was a very clear vision of what we wanted to achieve as Schbang, what gaps we could fill, the kind of people we wanted to hire and what kind of culture we wanted to set."

The Gap They Filled: Brands were struggling to coordinate multiple specialist vendors. They needed an integrated partner that could deliver creative, media, production, and technology under one roof—without the bureaucracy of global networks.

The Name: Schbang (derived from Unix code operative "shebang" - #!/) represents both their digital DNA and their promise of delivering "the whole thing." The logo—a # fused with an !—is literally a Unix shebang operator, meaning "read what follows in its entirety."

Explosive Growth Phase (2015-2024)

Year 1 (2015): Started with 60 team members in Mumbai. Quickly landed major clients including Asian Paints, Sequoia Capital, and FirstCry.com.

Year 2 (2016): Expanded service offerings beyond social media to include production, technology, and media planning.

Year 3 (2017): Opened Bengaluru office, growing team to 200+.

Years 4-7 (2018-2021):

  • Rapid client acquisition: Fevicol, Jio, Britannia, Godrej Group, L'Oréal, Castrol

  • Recognized as LinkedIn Top 25 Startups in India (2021)

  • Named Financial Times High Growth Companies of APAC (2020)

  • Team grew to 800+

Year 8 (2022):

  • Launched London, UK office (first international expansion)

  • Team crossed 1,000 members

  • Harshil Karia became first Indian to win Global Founder of the Year Award in Stockholm

Year 9 (2023):

  • Continued domestic expansion with Delhi NCR strengthening

  • Launched Amsterdam office

Year 10 (2024):

  • Acquired Addikt (European agency), strengthening European presence

  • Revenue reached ₹214 Crore ($25.7M)

  • Team size: 1,200+ across 5 global locations

Leadership Transition (March 2025)

In a significant development, Harshil and Sohil Karia acquired all shares from co-founder Akshay Gurnani in March 2025, marking Akshay's exit after 10 incredible years.

Akshay's Reflection: "It has been an incredible journey to witness Schbang grow from a startup to a global force in marketing. I am immensely grateful for the meaningful relationships I have built with the team and clients over the years. I am excited to embark on a new entrepreneurial journey."

Current Leadership:

  • Harshil Karia: Founder & CEO

  • Sohil Karia: Co-Founder & Chief of Digital Transformation

  • Indraneel Gawde: Chief Business Officer

  • Nikhil Natekar: Chief Human Resource Officer

  • Umma Saini: Chief Creative Officer

  • Jitto George: President of Brand Solutions & Head of Schbang Motion Pictures

The leadership consolidation signals Schbang's commitment to accelerating global ambitions while maintaining their independent, entrepreneurial DNA.

Services Offered: The Whole Schbang

True to their name, Schbang offers comprehensive, integrated marketing solutions. Unlike specialists, they unite creative, media, and technology under one roof.

1. Brand Solutions & Creative Strategy

What They Do: Schbang's creative team develops breakthrough ideas that connect emotionally with audiences while driving business results.

Services Include:

  • Brand strategy and positioning

  • Campaign concepting and execution

  • Creative storytelling across all mediums

  • Brand identity and design

  • Packaging design

  • Marketing collateral

Why It Matters: Creative sits at the heart of everything Schbang does. Their philosophy: technology amplifies, media distributes, but creative connects.

2. Social Media Marketing & Community Management

What They Do: End-to-end social media management from strategy to execution to community engagement.

Services Include:

  • Social media strategy and planning

  • Content creation (graphics, videos, copies)

  • Community management and engagement

  • Social listening and sentiment analysis

  • Crisis management

  • Platform-specific campaigns (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, YouTube)

Notable Strength: Started as social-first agency, this remains a core competency.

3. Media Planning & Buying (Media Sciences Department)

What They Do: Data-driven paid media strategies to maximize ROI across digital channels.

Services Include:

  • Media strategy and planning

  • Performance marketing (Google Ads, Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads)

  • Programmatic advertising

  • Display and video advertising

  • Search engine marketing (SEM)

  • Social media advertising

  • Media mix optimization

  • Campaign performance tracking

Why It Matters: Having media in-house allows creative and media to collaborate seamlessly, ensuring campaigns are designed for both impact and performance.

4. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

What They Do: Organic visibility strategies to drive sustainable long-term traffic and rankings.

Services Include:

  • Technical SEO audits

  • On-page and off-page optimization

  • Content optimization for search

  • Link building strategies

  • Local SEO

  • SEO-driven content marketing

5. Influencer Marketing (Schbang Fluence)

What They Do: Strategic influencer partnerships that drive authentic brand conversations.

Services Include:

  • Influencer identification and vetting

  • Campaign strategy and execution

  • Nano, micro, and macro influencer management

  • Content co-creation

  • Performance tracking and measurement

  • Long-term ambassador programs

Special Division: Schbang Fluence is their dedicated influencer marketing vertical.

6. Video Production (Schbang Motion Pictures)

What They Do: Full-service video production from concept to final delivery.

Production Capabilities:

  • Schbang Motion Pictures: Premium ad films and brand content

  • Global Content Hub: Rapid, affordable content production

  • Schbang 808: Branded audio and music production

Services Include:

  • Concept development and scripting

  • Pre-production and casting

  • Production and direction

  • Post-production and editing

  • Animation and motion graphics

  • YouTube content optimization

Why It's Special: In-house production means faster turnarounds, fewer iterations, and better budget control. Creative, production, and client teams sit together for seamless collaboration.

7. Web Design & Development

What They Do: Building digital experiences that convert visitors into customers.

Services Include:

  • Website design and development

  • E-commerce platform development

  • Mobile app development (iOS & Android)

  • Progressive web apps (PWA)

  • UI/UX design

  • Website maintenance and support

Technical DNA: As a digitally-native agency, Schbang's technical capabilities are baked into their DNA (remember the Unix "shebang" origin).

8. Digital Transformation & Technology Solutions

What They Do: Custom technology platforms and digital transformation to enable business growth.

Services Include:

  • Custom platform development

  • CRM & ERP solutions (Zoho Premium Partner)

  • Marketing automation (HubSpot Certified Partner)

  • Application development

  • Business architecture design

  • Digital transformation consulting

  • API integrations

Partnerships:

  • Google Premier Partner: Advanced access to Google marketing tools

  • Adobe Solution Partner: Enterprise Adobe Creative Cloud expertise

  • HubSpot Certified Partner: Marketing automation expertise

  • Zoho Premium Partner: CRM and business applications

9. E-commerce Solutions

What They Do: End-to-end e-commerce support to help brands sell online effectively.

Services Include:

  • E-commerce strategy and consulting

  • Platform selection and implementation

  • Product listing optimization

  • Amazon advertising and marketplace management

  • Conversion rate optimization

  • E-commerce analytics

10. Market Research

What They Do: Specialized market research using qualitative and quantitative methods.

Services Include:

  • Consumer research and insights

  • Competitive analysis

  • Brand health tracking

  • Campaign effectiveness measurement

  • Custom research studies

Integration: Research insights feed directly into strategy, creative, and media planning—creating data-informed campaigns rather than siloed research reports.

11. Content Marketing

What They Do: Strategic content creation and distribution to build audience and drive engagement.

Services Include:

  • Content strategy development

  • Blog writing and management

  • Email marketing

  • Newsletter programs

  • Content calendars

  • Content distribution strategies

12. Design & Brand Identity

What They Do: Visual identity systems that make brands stand out.

Services Include:

  • Logo and brand identity design

  • Brand guidelines and systems

  • Packaging design

  • Marketing collateral design

  • Presentation design

  • Environmental design

The Integrated Advantage: Why "The Whole Schbang" Matters

Most agencies offer some of these services. What makes Schbang different is how everything works together.

Example Workflow:

  1. Research team conducts consumer insights study

  2. Strategy team develops positioning based on insights

  3. Creative team (sitting next to producers) develops campaign concept

  4. Production team (Schbang Motion Pictures) creates video content

  5. Media team plans distribution strategy

  6. Technology team builds landing page/experience

  7. Social team manages community engagement

  8. Performance team optimizes based on results

The Result: Campaigns with maximum impact because every piece is designed to work together, not bolted together from different vendors.

As co-founder Akshay explained: "Larger groups do not see a smooth integration process because different names do segmented work while working in silos trying to piece something together."

Client Portfolio: Working With Global & Indian Brands

Schbang's client roster demonstrates versatility across industries and business scales.

Major Clients Include:

FMCG & Consumer Goods:

  • Pidilite (Fevicol) - Long-term partnership

  • Britannia Industries

  • Godrej Nature's Basket

  • CavinKare

  • Unilever brands (Surf Excel, etc.)

  • Asian Paints

  • Finolex Pipes

Technology & Telecommunications:

  • Jio (Reliance)

  • Tata Communications

  • Hinduja Group

Automotive:

  • Castrol (BP Castrol India)

  • Ashok Leyland

Beauty & Personal Care:

  • L'Oréal Group (multiple brands)

  • BBLUNT (salon brand)

  • MAC Cosmetics

  • NIVEA

  • Philips Personal Care

Fashion & Lifestyle:

  • H&M (project work)

Entertainment & Toys:

  • Marvel

  • Mattel (Barbie, UNO brands)

  • Baskin Robbins

Travel & Transportation:

  • Akasa Air (airline)

E-commerce & Tech Platforms:

  • Myntra

  • Unacademy

Financial Services:

  • Tata Neu

  • PayTM Money

Food & Beverage:

  • Absolute Barbecues

Technology Products:

  • Porsche

  • Syska

Retail & E-commerce:

  • Amazon (various projects)

Investment & Business:

  • Sequoia Capital

Others:

  • FirstCry.com

  • Date Crown

This diverse portfolio spans B2C, B2B, D2C, luxury, mass market, and everything in between—demonstrating Schbang's ability to adapt their approach to vastly different brand needs.

Awards & Industry Recognition

While Schbang hasn't accumulated as many international awards as agencies like Webchutney or WATConsult (yet), their recognition focuses on business growth and creative excellence.

Major Recognition:

Business Growth Awards:

  • LinkedIn Top 25 Startups in India (2021): Ranked #12 among most sought-after startups

  • Financial Times High Growth Companies APAC (2020): Recognized for explosive revenue growth

  • Harshil Karia - Global Founder of the Year Award (Stockholm, Sweden): First Indian to win this prestigious award

Creative & Industry Recognition:

  • Multiple submissions to Cannes Lions (2025 submission for Robin Hood Army campaign)

  • Industry acclaim across digital, creative, and marketing platforms

  • Regular feature in industry publications (Exchange4media, Adgully, Campaign India)

Client Awards & Testimonials:

  • Fevicol's Friendship Day campaign received industry praise

  • Tata Neu's #MoodHiBadalDiya campaign excellent social reception

  • Multiple client-nominated campaigns for industry awards

Why Fewer International Awards (So Far)?

Schbang's focus has been on growth and scale rather than awards. As a younger agency (founded 2015 vs. Webchutney's 1999 or WATConsult's 2007), they've prioritized:

  1. Building scalable systems and processes

  2. Geographic expansion (UK, Netherlands)

  3. Service integration and capability building

  4. Client acquisition and retention

The Future: With their recent focus on "taking the best of India to the world," expect Schbang's international award presence to grow significantly in coming years.

Pricing & Investment: What Does Schbang Cost?

While Schbang doesn't publish fixed pricing, we have concrete insights from industry research and a 2022 interview where co-founder Harshil Karia disclosed actual retainer ranges.

Confirmed Pricing Information (2022-2025)

Monthly Retainer Ranges (Direct from Harshil Karia, 2022):

  • Base Range: ₹5,00,000 - ₹15,00,000 per month ($6,000 - $18,000)

  • Extended Range: Can go significantly higher for enterprise clients

  • Project Premiums: Brands may exceed monthly amount for large projects (films costing ₹1 crore+)

Business Model:

  • "90% of our business comes from retainers" (Harshil Karia, 2022)

  • 10% project-based work

Detailed Pricing Estimates (2025 Updated)

Small to Mid-Sized Business Packages:

Starter Package

  • Budget: ₹3,00,000 - ₹5,00,000/month ($3,600 - $6,000)

  • Includes: Social media management (2-3 platforms), basic content creation, community management

  • Best For: Startups and small businesses testing integrated marketing

Growth Package

  • Budget: ₹5,00,000 - ₹10,00,000/month ($6,000 - $12,000)

  • Includes: Multi-channel social media, content marketing, basic performance marketing, monthly video content

  • Best For: Growing D2C brands and mid-market companies

Scale Package

  • Budget: ₹10,00,000 - ₹15,00,000/month ($12,000 - $18,000)

  • Includes: Integrated campaigns, media planning & buying, production content, influencer marketing, technology support

  • Best For: Established brands with comprehensive digital needs

Enterprise Package

  • Budget: ₹15,00,000 - ₹50,00,000+/month ($18,000 - $60,000+)

  • Includes: Full-service integrated marketing, dedicated team, custom technology solutions, premium production

  • Best For: Large enterprises, multinational brands, major campaigns

Project-Based Pricing

Website Development:

  • Small Business Site: ₹3,00,000 - ₹10,00,000 ($3,600 - $12,000)

  • E-commerce Platform: ₹10,00,000 - ₹30,00,000 ($12,000 - $36,000)

  • Enterprise Solution: ₹30,00,000+ ($36,000+)

Video Production (via Schbang Motion Pictures):

  • Social Media Videos: ₹1,00,000 - ₹3,00,000 per video ($1,200 - $3,600)

  • Brand Films / TV Commercials: ₹10,00,000 - ₹1,00,00,000 ($12,000 - $120,000)

  • Full Campaign Series: ₹25,00,000+ ($30,000+)

Affordable Option (Global Content Hub):

  • Budget Content Production: ₹1,500 - ₹2,000 per creator ($18 - $24)

  • High-volume, economical content for brands with tight budgets

  • Nano and micro-influencer access

Integrated Brand Campaign:

  • Small Campaign: ₹15,00,000 - ₹30,00,000 ($18,000 - $36,000)

  • Major Campaign: ₹50,00,000 - ₹2,00,00,000 ($60,000 - $240,000)

  • National Campaign: ₹2,00,00,000+ ($240,000+)

What Influences Schbang's Pricing?

  1. Scope of Integration: Single service vs. fully integrated campaigns

  2. Service Combination: More services = better value than separate vendors

  3. Production Requirements: Video, animation, custom technology drive premium pricing

  4. Team Seniority: Access to senior leadership, CCO, or Harshil himself

  5. Campaign Complexity: Simple execution vs. strategic breakthrough work

  6. Timeline & Urgency: Rush work commands premium

  7. Geographic Scope: India-only vs. global campaigns

  8. Technology Needs: Standard tools vs. custom platform development

Is Schbang Worth the Investment?

Yes, if you value:

  • Integrated solutions (one agency vs. coordinating 5 vendors)

  • Speed and agility of independent agency

  • Access to in-house production (Schbang Motion Pictures)

  • Technology expertise (Zoho, HubSpot, Adobe partnerships)

  • Young, energetic team pushing boundaries

  • Growth mindset and entrepreneurial culture

Consider alternatives if:

  • Budget is below ₹3 lakhs/month

  • You need ultra-premium creative prestige (Webchutney level)

  • You want decades of track record (Schbang is only 10 years old)

  • You need only highly specialized niche service

  • You prefer global network resources (Dentsu/WPP level)

Value Proposition: Schbang offers the integration and capabilities of a large agency with the agility and entrepreneurial energy of a startup—at pricing more competitive than global networks but premium vs. boutique shops.

Real Client Experiences: What It's Like Working With Schbang

The Good: What Clients Love

1. True Integration Unlike agencies that bolt services together, Schbang's teams actually sit together and collaborate. Creatives work alongside producers, media planners discuss with strategists, tech teams advise on feasibility during concepting.

Client Feedback: "When Schbang presented the concept and storyboard to us, they brought a rich visual language. We knew immediately they were the right partners." (Client testimonial)

2. Young, Energetic, Passionate Team Schbang's culture attracts young, hungry talent who bring fresh perspectives and aren't jaded by "that's how it's always been done."

3. Speed & Agility Being independent and entrepreneur-led means faster decision-making. No bureaucratic approvals through global network hierarchies.

4. In-House Production Advantage Schbang Motion Pictures, Global Content Hub, and Schbang 808 provide:

  • Faster turnarounds

  • Fewer iterations

  • Budget predictability

  • Creative continuity

5. Technology Capabilities Unlike pure creative agencies, Schbang can actually build custom solutions, integrate systems, and leverage MarTech effectively.

6. Founder Accessibility Harshil Karia remains involved in major pitches and strategic client work. Having founder-level attention matters.

7. Entrepreneurial Problem-Solving Schbang approaches challenges like entrepreneurs, not vendors. They think about business impact, not just deliverables.

8. Flexible Pricing Models Global Content Hub offers economical options for brands with tight budgets. Schbang scales solutions to client budgets rather than forcing one-size-fits-all.

9. Culture & Energy Working with Schbang feels different—there's genuine passion, camaraderie, and a "we're building something special" vibe that translates to the work.

The Challenges: Areas for Consideration

1. Younger Agency At 10 years old, Schbang lacks the decades of experience that agencies like Webchutney (26 years) or WATConsult (18 years) bring. For some brands, proven longevity matters.

2. Rapid Growth Pains Growing from 60 to 1,200+ employees in under a decade creates challenges:

  • Process maturity still developing

  • Quality can vary by team

  • Some "startup chaos" remains

3. Co-Founder Departure Akshay Gurnani's exit in March 2025 raised questions about continuity, though Harshil and Sohil's continued leadership provides stability.

4. International Awards Gap For brands seeking award-winning prestige, Schbang hasn't yet accumulated the Cannes Grand Prix or international trophy cabinet of older agencies.

5. Large Team, Variable Attention With 1,200+ employees and hundreds of clients, smaller accounts may not always get senior leadership attention on day-to-day work.

6. Still Building Global Reputation While expanding internationally (UK, Netherlands), Schbang is still establishing credibility with global brands vs. agencies with decades of international presence.

7. Service Breadth Can Mean Service Depth Trade-offs Being "the whole Schbang" means breadth across many services. Some clients prefer specialists who go deeper in narrow areas.

Client Testimonials

Sony Music & Artist: "When Schbang presented the concept and storyboard to Sony Music and us, they brought a rich visual language to our song and we knew, immediately, that they were the right partners for Roz Roz."

Date Crown (International Brand): "India is a key market for our growth agenda and investing in building the Date Crown brand is key to the long-term success of this agenda. Our partnership with Schbang has been a great stepping stone in building a strong Date Crown brand."

Pidilite (Fevicol): "Fevicol has over the years come to epitomize strong bonds. The Friendship Day campaign with Schbang provided us with an apt opportunity to bring alive this proposition; fantastic to see such a wide array of brands interact with Fevicol through this medium!"

Tata Neu: "The campaign #MoodHiBadalDiya for Tata Neu has received a wonderful response from our social community. This campaign has seen excellent effort from every single one of the team members involved behind the scenes. Thank you for being part of this journey Schbang!"

Case Studies: Proof of Excellence

Case Study 1: Fevicol Friendship Day Campaign

Client: Pidilite (Fevicol) Challenge: Reinforce Fevicol's brand proposition of "strong bonds" in a fresh, digital-first way for Friendship Day Solution: Schbang created a viral campaign where multiple brands "bonded" with Fevicol through social media interactions, creating a meta-commentary on brand relationships Results:

  • Viral social media phenomenon

  • Multiple brands organically participated

  • Significant brand sentiment lift

  • Industry recognition for innovative social strategy

Why It Worked: The campaign brilliantly extended Fevicol's iconic "strong bonds" positioning into the social media age by creating actual bonds between brands.

Case Study 2: Britannia - Generative AI Fantasy Biscuit Land

Client: Britannia Industries Challenge: Create innovative, engaging content that showcases Britannia's innovative spirit Solution: Schbang used generative AI to create a fantastical "biscuit land" - one of early branded uses of AI in Indian advertising Results:

  • Industry buzz and media coverage

  • Positioned Britannia as innovative brand

  • Showcased Schbang's technology integration capabilities

  • Generated significant social engagement

Why It Worked: Perfect blend of creativity and technology—Schbang's core strength—executed before AI became ubiquitous in advertising.

Case Study 3: Akasa Air Launch & Ongoing Partnership

Client: Akasa Air (new airline) Challenge: Launch brand-new airline in competitive Indian aviation market Solution: Comprehensive integrated campaign including:

  • Brand identity and positioning

  • Social media launch strategy

  • Performance marketing for ticket sales

  • Ongoing content and community management

Results:

  • Successful airline launch

  • Strong social media presence from day one

  • Ongoing partnership demonstrating client satisfaction

Why It Worked: Full "Whole Schbang" approach—creative, media, social, performance—all working together for new brand launch.

Case Study 4: Tata Neu #MoodHiBadalDiya

Client: Tata Neu (Tata's super app) Challenge: Drive awareness and engagement for Tata's consolidated digital platform Solution: Social media campaign #MoodHiBadalDiya (changed my mood) highlighting how Tata Neu improves daily life Results:

  • "Wonderful response from our social community" (client testimonial)

  • High engagement rates

  • Strengthened Tata Neu's positioning

Why It Worked: Relatable, emotional storytelling that connected Tata Neu's functional benefits to emotional outcomes.

Company Culture: The Schbanger DNA

What It Means to Be a "Schbanger"

Schbang employees are affectionately called "Schbangers"—and the culture is deliberate, distinctive, and central to their success.

Core Principles (From Schbang's Culture Manifesto)

1. Services-First Mindset "Fundamentally, we will always be a services-first company that ensures our clients' businesses fit their definition of success."

Translation: Client success isn't optional—it's the measure of Schbang's success.

2. Deliver the Whole Schbang "As Schbangers, we must deliver the whole Schbang by pushing ourselves and those around us to work in the best interests of our partners."

Translation: Don't just do your job—think about the complete solution.

3. Accountability in Complex Environments "We work in fast and complex environments where we deal with multiple stakeholders to deliver speed, agility and results to our clients."

Translation: Own your promises. Deliver despite complexity.

4. Challenge the Status Quo "We create path-breaking work that challenges the status quo and positively impacts our clients' businesses."

Translation: "That's how it's always been done" isn't good enough.

5. Make Communication Stand Out "We make sure how we communicate and design helps our brand stand out."

Translation: Walk the talk—Schbang's own marketing must exemplify excellence.

Employee Testimonials (From Schbang's Careers Page)

On Freedom to Grow: "What sets Schbang apart for me is that we have the complete freedom to explore our full potential here - we're pushed to challenge our limits every day. I recently wanted to switch departments & all my seniors on both sides were very supportive of the change, which really boosted my confidence & will to keep learning."

On Exposure & Learning: "I've not only worked on challenging projects for big brands but also had the privilege to interact with such creative minds behind the campaigns - the exposure I've got here is simply priceless!"

On Culture & Inclusivity: "The culture & working environment of Schbang is extremely inclusive & approachable. We can reach out to anyone at any time for help even if we haven't worked with them or those on the management ladder."

On Learning from Diversity: "I design and conduct sessions that aid the personal and professional growth of all the team members at Schbang. So I get to work with many different talents and even learn something new from them every single day."

On Collaborative Thinking: "One important skill Schbang has taught me is gaining clarity in planning, execution and communication. If you're a collaborative thinker who likes to build with other people, there's no better place to be!"

Work-Life Integration

Schbang balances intense work with genuine fun:

Fun Activities:

  • #LetsPawtect: Employees tied Rakhis to their pets (combining festival celebration with pet love)

  • #PitchPlotPanic: Card game giving employees chance to "run an agency"

  • Tie-dye workshops and creative activities

  • Regular team outings and celebrations

Low Attrition Rate

Founder Akshay Gurnani mentioned in 2019: "We have an employee turnover rate of less than 12% versus the global average of 30%."

This remarkably low attrition in a high-turnover industry validates the culture's effectiveness.

Hiring Philosophy

"Attitude Eats Aptitude for Lunch"

Schbang focuses on:

  • Passionate young people with right attitude

  • Collaborative thinkers who build with others

  • People who challenge limits

  • Those excited by fast-paced, ambiguous environments

Schbang vs. Competitors: How They Stack Up

Schbang vs. Webchutney

  • Schbang Advantage: Larger team (1,000+ vs. 200+), more integrated services, faster growth, international expansion

  • Webchutney Advantage: Longer track record (26 vs. 10 years), more international awards (Cannes Grand Prix), stronger creative prestige

  • Best For Schbang: Brands wanting integrated one-stop-shop with speed and scale

Schbang vs. WATConsult

  • Schbang Advantage: Larger team (1,000+ vs. 400+), stronger production capabilities, more aggressive growth, independent vs. Dentsu-owned

  • WATConsult Advantage: More international awards (350+), longer track record (18 vs. 10 years), proprietary analytics (DASH tool)

  • Best For Schbang: Brands prioritizing integration, production, and entrepreneurial energy

Schbang vs. Foxymoron (Harshil's Former Agency)

  • Schbang Advantage: 10x larger, integrated services, production capabilities, global presence

  • Foxymoron Advantage: Part of Zoo Media network, different positioning

  • Context: Harshil left Foxymoron specifically to build Schbang's integrated model

Schbang vs. Global Networks (Dentsu, WPP, Publicis)

  • Schbang Advantage: Speed, agility, entrepreneurial culture, more competitive pricing, founder access

  • Global Networks Advantage: Decades of history, global resources, multinational servicing, deeper specialist expertise

  • Best For Schbang: Brands wanting network-level capabilities without network bureaucracy

Schbang vs. Boutique Specialists

  • Schbang Advantage: Comprehensive services, proven scale, client diversity, financial stability

  • Boutique Advantage: Highly specialized expertise, more personalized attention, potentially lower costs

  • Best For Schbang: Brands needing multiple services working together vs. just one specialty

Global Expansion: Taking India to the World

Vision: "From India to the World"

Harshil Karia's stated mission: "Our idea is to take the best of India to the world and get the best of the world to India."

Current International Presence

London, UK (Launched September 2022)

  • Managing Director: Martin Vinter (20+ years experience with Publicis, WPP, Dentsu, Brainlabs)

  • Strategy: Leverage Indian creative talent + UK market expertise

  • Focus: "It's a skill and price play for us"

Amsterdam, Netherlands

  • European hub for continental Europe expansion

Addikt Acquisition (2024)

  • Acquired European agency to strengthen EU presence

  • Integrated capabilities across markets

Middle East (Coming Soon)

  • "Natural step because majority of global investment in marketing is happening in this region"

  • UK/Europe presence provides premium positioning

Why Global Expansion Matters

Harshil's Perspective: "It's high time that we did that because the world is finally realizing the potential of Indian talent, not just as a technical IT resource but also the softer side of it – be it digital or creative. India is now recognized as a credible global challenger on a global scale."

Philosophy: "Yagya" (collective effort) - working where there are gaps to fill

Strategy:

  1. Establish presence in key markets (UK, EU, Middle East)

  2. Combine Indian creative talent/cost advantage with local market expertise

  3. Build global client portfolio while maintaining Indian roots

  4. Position as "global challenger from India"

Who Should Work With Schbang?

Ideal Clients:

Mid-to-Large Enterprises needing comprehensive integrated marketing
Fast-Growing Startups (Series A+) ready to scale marketing
Brands Seeking One-Stop-Shop tired of coordinating multiple agencies
Companies Valuing Speed & Agility over bureaucratic processes
Organizations Wanting In-House Production capabilities
D2C Brands needing performance + brand building
Tech Companies appreciating Schbang's technical DNA
Brands Expanding Internationally (leveraging Schbang's UK/EU presence)
Companies with ₹3+ Lakh Monthly Budgets
Brands Wanting Entrepreneurial Energy not corporate stiffness

Not the Best Fit For:

Very Small Businesses with budgets below ₹3 lakhs/month
Brands Needing Only Single Specialty (better served by specialists)
Organizations Requiring Decades of Track Record
Brands Seeking Ultra-Premium Creative Prestige (Webchutney level)
Companies Needing Extensive International Award Pedigree
Brands Preferring Global Network Resources (Dentsu/WPP backing)
Organizations Uncomfortable with Younger Agency (10 vs. 25+ years)

The Verdict: Should You Choose Schbang?

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Strengths:

  • 🚀 Explosive growth from 60 to 1,200+ employees in 10 years

  • 🎯 True integration—creative, media, tech, production under one roof

  • 🎬 In-house production capabilities (Motion Pictures, Content Hub, 808)

  • ⚡ Speed and agility of independent agency

  • 💻 Strong technology DNA and partnerships (Google, Adobe, HubSpot, Zoho)

  • 🌍 International expansion (UK, Netherlands, Middle East soon)

  • 💰 Value pricing - network capabilities at competitive rates

  • 👥 Passionate, energetic team culture

  • 📈 Proven client diversity across industries

  • 🏆 Business recognition (LinkedIn Top 25, FT High Growth)

Areas for Improvement:

  • ⏰ Younger agency (10 years) vs. established competitors (25+ years)

  • 🏆 Fewer international creative awards (so far)

  • 🎢 Rapid growth can create process/quality variations

  • 👤 Co-founder departure (Akshay Gurnani, March 2025)

  • 🌐 Still building global reputation vs. decades-old networks

  • 📊 Less public case study documentation

  • ⚖️ Breadth of services may mean trade-offs in specialist depth

Final Recommendation

Schbang represents an exceptional choice for brands seeking integrated marketing solutions with the energy and agility of a startup backed by the scale and capabilities of a major agency.

Choose Schbang if you:

  • Value true integration over coordinating multiple vendors

  • Want speed and entrepreneurial thinking, not corporate bureaucracy

  • Need comprehensive services—creative, media, production, technology

  • Appreciate younger, energetic team bringing fresh perspectives

  • Seek founder-level engagement and passion

  • Value competitive pricing with premium capabilities

  • Are expanding internationally and want agency with global presence

  • Have budget of ₹3+ lakhs/month for serious marketing investment

Bottom Line: In just 10 years, Schbang has built what most agencies take 25+ years to achieve—comprehensive capabilities, 1,000+ talented team, international presence, major client portfolio, and strong financial performance. While they lack the decades of history and international award pedigree of older competitors, they offer something perhaps more valuable: the integration, speed, technology, and entrepreneurial energy needed for modern marketing success.

For brands ready to move fast, think big, and work with an agency that genuinely delivers "the whole Schbang," this is an excellent choice.

If your brand values entrepreneurial energy, integrated solutions, and is ready to invest seriously in marketing that works across creative, media, and technology, Schbang deserves your serious consideration.

How to Get Started With Schbang

Contact Information

Official Website: https://www.schbang.com

Offices:

Mumbai (Headquarters)
2nd Floor, B Wing, Unit No 201-203
Trade World, Kamala City, Kamala Mill Compound
Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W)
Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013, India

Bangalore Office
Oxford Tower-2, Door No. 901, 8th Floor
139, Kodihalli
Bengaluru, Karnataka 560008, India

Delhi NCR Office
(Contact via main website for address)

London, UK Office
(Contact via main website for address)

Amsterdam, Netherlands Office
(Contact via main website for address)

Email Contacts:

Social Media:

  • LinkedIn: /company/letschbang (274,622 followers)

  • Instagram: @schbang (125K+ followers)

  • Website: www.schbang.com

Steps to Engage:

1. Initial Inquiry

  • Contact via website form or direct email

  • Provide overview of business, goals, challenges, and approximate budget

  • Mention this review if you found them through Keetdo!

2. Discovery Call

  • Initial conversation with business development team

  • Discussion of requirements and fit assessment

  • Preliminary ideas and approach

3. Team Introduction

  • Meet potential account team members

  • Understand who will work on your business

  • Assess chemistry and expertise fit

4. Detailed Brief & Proposal

  • Submit comprehensive brief

  • Schbang conducts research and planning

  • Receive proposal with strategy, approach, team, timeline, investment

5. Pitch Presentation (for larger opportunities)

  • Formal presentation with creative concepts

  • Strategic recommendations

  • Case studies and relevant experience

  • Q&A with team

6. Contract & Onboarding

  • Finalize scope, deliverables, payment terms

  • Sign agreement

  • Comprehensive onboarding process

  • Kickoff meeting to align teams and expectations

Questions to Ask During Initial Meetings:

  • Who specifically will be on my account team?

  • Will I have access to senior leadership/founders?

  • What is your typical campaign development timeline?

  • How do you measure success for integrated campaigns?

  • Can you share case studies in my industry?

  • How do creative, media, and production teams actually collaborate?

  • What is your revision and feedback process?

  • How do you leverage your international offices?

  • What technology partnerships will benefit my business?

  • What are payment terms and milestone structures?

  • How do you handle urgent requests or scope changes?

  • What reporting and analytics will I receive?

Conclusion: India's Entrepreneurial Marketing Powerhouse

In just 10 years, Schbang has accomplished what typically takes agencies 25+ years: building a 1,000+ person organization, establishing international presence, serving 300+ brands, and generating ₹214 crore in revenue—all while remaining independent and bootstrapped.

What Makes Schbang Special:

The name says it all: they truly deliver "the whole Schbang." In an era where marketing fragmentation forces brands to coordinate multiple specialist agencies, Schbang offers something increasingly rare—genuine integration. Creative teams sit with producers. Media planners collaborate with strategists. Technology experts advise during concepting. The result isn't services bolted together; it's solutions designed to work as one.

The Entrepreneurial Difference:

Being founder-led and independent gives Schbang speed and agility that larger networks can't match. Decisions happen in hours, not weeks. Bureaucracy is minimal. The entrepreneurial energy is palpable—from the youngest designer to Harshil Karia himself.

Global Ambitions, Indian Roots:

Schbang's expansion to UK, Netherlands, and soon Middle East isn't just about growth—it's about the mission to "take the best of India to the world." They're proving that Indian creative and strategic talent can compete globally, not just on cost but on quality and innovation.

For Whom Schbang Is Perfect:

If your brand values:

  • Integrated solutions over coordinating multiple vendors

  • Speed and entrepreneurial thinking over corporate processes

  • Comprehensive capabilities (creative + media + tech + production)

  • Competitive pricing with premium capabilities

  • Working with passionate, young, energetic teams

  • Access to founders who still care deeply about the work

Then Schbang is absolutely worth serious consideration.

The Future:

With Harshil and Sohil Karia's full ownership, international expansion accelerating, and continued focus on integration and innovation, Schbang is positioned to become not just India's leading independent agency—but a global marketing powerhouse representing the best of Indian creative and strategic excellence.

For brands ready to move fast, think integrated, and work with an agency that genuinely delivers comprehensive solutions with entrepreneurial passion, Schbang is an excellent choice.

Review Status: Based on comprehensive research of public information, founder interviews, client testimonials, and industry analysis

Disclaimer: This review is based on publicly available information and extensive industry research. Specific pricing and service details should be confirmed directly with Schbang. This is an independent review and Keetdo is not affiliated with or compensated by Schbang.

Additional Resources