Sealed out: Is Ogilvy Delhi looking for a new home?
The prime Okhla commercial area at one time was seen as Delhi’s answer to New York’s Madison Avenue. The dream never really took off as many ad agencies gravitated to Gurgaon, the new hot destination for multinationals. The dream seems to be now souring for O&M with its prime landmark office being sealed by MCD.
This is the second time in less than a year that Ogilvy & Mather’s office in Delhi located at a prominent spot in the Okhla Industrial Area has been sealed. While the MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) drive has already seen some agencies located in residential areas move their base to neighboring Gurgaon, others that are operating from such areas are suddenly in a hurry to move to `safe’ zones.
Ogilvy’s problem is not that it is located in a residential area. It is in a prized commercial area -- many high-profile offices as well as ad agencies dot the area. The issue, as exchange4media learnt, is that a part of the property has been allegedly built on illegal land. It is alleged that at least 20 per cent of the land of this property falls on railway property for a railway line. Then there is the issue of the basement parking and also the enclosed area at one end of the office. Also, the property is too close to a flyover.
But does that put Ogilvy in the dock? Certainly not because it is rented property. However, it is learnt that WPP, when it identifies any property or makes any investment, appoints a local consultant to scrutinize and advise on the real estate, rent, lease and sale deeds. The process is said to be rigorous. Surprisingly, the details about this property seem to have been missed.
As for now, the agency is working from various locations and has made alternative arrangements so that work continues. When contacted, an O&M official only said, “O&M was given to understand that the property was governed by the Commissioner of Industries whereas MCD seems to think otherwise. We can’t comment anything on the situation.”
The agency has no idea when the issue will be resolved though the last time around it took a couple of days to get things sorted out. As for moving to another location, nobody at the agency was ready to make a comment at this stage.
