2018 Corporate Excellence Awards Supplement

88 CORPORATE VISION / Corporate Excellence Awards 2018 CORPORATE VISION / Issue 5 2018 21 , Just us &Otto is amarketing agency offering clients everything they need, ranging from advertising campaigns to events to digital services. We sit downwithMarkus Hofmeister as we looked to find out more about the innovative company. Your Creative Partner for Emotional Experiences Offering a variety of services, the team at Just us & Otto is working with around 40 local, regional and international clients from different industries. Markus starts off by outlining the firm’s overall mission and what steps the team plans to take in order to achieve this. “Everybody at the agency is working towards the company being able to create 360˚ immersive, authentic and mesmerising experiences that engage our audiences and create memories that last. In addition to this, we want to positively impact our clients’ businesses, through intelligent creative solutions that add tangible commercial value.” Having cultivated an internal culture which has seen the team thrive in delivering outstanding success to clients around the region, Markus explains what methods his team has utilised in order to ensure that the client receives the best possible outcome. “In order to reach the desired outcome on both sides, we have combined a solid mix of well- trained employees, all of which have the right idea for the given budget and timing and exception management.” Providing us with a brief overview of the industry, Markus is quick to point out that the region and market was particularly affected by the oil crisis in 2016, which also resulted in political issues in 2017. “After the oil crisis in 2016, we have had a complicated political situation with our neighbours since 2017, and these have been big markets for us before. Based on these issues, the local area is very competitive for everybody, with everyone competing for the remaining projects or active clients. In addition, the economy has slowed down and budgets have been constantly reduced. At the moment, you have to be thoroughly prepared in order to succeed.” Authenticity is key to the success of Just us & Otto, as the team are authentic in what they are thinking, saying and doing, and have been ever since they were established in Qatar. Markus explains what techniques the team employs in order to stay ahead of any emerging developments. “In order to thrive across the industry, the team has had look to abroad and monitor the trends overseas in order to examine how it can make them available, therefore translating the products into the market in Qatar.” Regarding the internal culture within Just us & Otto, Markus explains that the senior and junior members share their knowledge with each other and exchange 1804CV27 ideas, meaning the team is always coming up with new ideas. “Internally, the senior employees share their knowledge and experiences with junior staff, and this is the key for us internally, as everybody needs a mentor in order to develop further.” Subsequently, Markus and the team work incredibly hard to make sure they employ the right people, and this is clear from Just us & Otto’s approach to hiring staff. The team attracts new recruits by highlighting the friendly culture within the team, and acknowledging that the agency is a great place to work, thus ensuring that only the best customer service is delivered to clients. Ultimately, Markus is confident that the market in Qatar will pick up, but is aware that this will take time. He signs off by commenting on what developments he foresees arising throughout the industry, and how he will adapt to these. “Looking ahead, we strongly believe in the Market within Qatar, and we foresee the trends and quality getting back to where it was in 2015, but we are it will take at least another six months. Everything gets more and more digital, from the private sector to corporate business, the questions will examine if you will be still able to create emotional experiences with brands in such an environment. That is our goal and our biggest challenge at the same time.” Company: Just us & Otto Marketing Services W.L.L Contact: Markus Hofmeister Address: 33 Ibn Awwam Street, Off B Ring Road, Doha, 2461, Qatar Website: www.justusandotto.com