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Umair Kazi

Partner at Ishtehari

Umair Kazi is the co-founder and partner of Ishtehari, an independent creative marketing agency based in Pakistan. He established the agency in 2011 after gaining experience in strategic planning and client servicing at Bulls Eye DDB.13

Key Details

  • Background: An Econ-PolSci graduate from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Kazi entered advertising during the 2008–2009 recession after finding banking internships unfulfilling.13
  • Agency Philosophy: Ishtehari positions itself as an "ideas agency," focusing on lateral solutions for clients. The name reflects a rebellious, "runaway" mindset, emphasizing creativity over traditional advertising norms.13
  • Client Work: The agency has worked with major brands like Unilever, Facebook, and Dawlance, initially in activation campaigns and later expanding into digital solutions.13
  • Operational Approach: Kazi advocates for remote work to build a self-sustaining team, aiming to reduce client reliance on individual team members. He also considers specializing in niche markets (e.g., app-based clients) to enhance scalability.13
  • Industry Insights: He acknowledges the challenges of measuring digital ROI for mass-market products and the shift toward data-driven creative strategies, such as prioritizing brand visibility in digital ads.13

Personal and Professional Evolution

Kazi balances his role as a father and entrepreneur, describing himself as a "novelty junkie" focused on innovation in advertising.34 His LinkedIn profile (username: umairkazi) highlights his partnership at Ishtehari and co-founding role at Metamorph, reflecting his ongoing entrepreneurial ventures.24

For direct contact, his LinkedIn profile can be accessed via the username umairkazi.4

Highlights

Apr 21 · tbcy.in
Umair Kazi, Partner at Ishtehari - TBCY - The Brand Called You
Umair Kazi, Partner at Ishtehari - TBCY - The Brand Called You
Jan 4 · aurora.dawn.com
Interview: Umair Kazi - People - Aurora Magazine - Dawn
Interview: Umair Kazi - People - Aurora Magazine - Dawn

Related Questions

What inspired Umair Kazi to start Ishtehari?
How did Umair Kazi transition from an Econ-Pol major to a career in advertising?
What challenges did Umair Kazi face when establishing Ishtehari?
How does Umair Kazi describe the mindset behind the name Ishtehari?
What strategies does Ishtehari use to differentiate itself from other agencies?
Umair Kazi
Umair Kazi, photo 1
Umair Kazi, photo 2
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Location

Pakistan