Digital ad agency Popkorn’s Sagar Hiranand, Co-founder and Director – Digital and Strategy, and, Stuart Deckker, Project Lead, share insights into the agency’s remarkable successes since its inception in 2019.

Can you take us through the evolution of Popkorn and elaborate on the factors behind its transformation and successes? 

Popkorn began with a fluid mindset, initially focusing on digital and social media due to our primary client base. Rather than limiting ourselves to specific roles, we sought people who could bring value, resulting in a diverse and dynamic team. 

Popkorn’s inception was simple but has since grown significantly, now nearing the threshold beyond a boutique agency. Our initial strategy combined Magic Mango’s creative resources with Popkorn’s digital expertise. As we became more self-sufficient, we began hiring our own creative teams and integrating talents from Magic Mango.

The agency officially started in November 2019. For the first two years, we operated quietly, focusing on building our identity and capabilities. Despite this, we achieved our first significant financial milestone within a month. Gradually, we discovered our strength in content creation, but we never limited ourselves to just that label.

By 2021, we experienced substantial growth in revenue and work for noteworthy brands. Over four years, especially the last two, we’ve seen significant progress and expansion. Our journey has been about adaptability, growth, and understanding our unique position in the digital and creative landscape.

Popkorn has been recognized for its work with startups and younger brands. Could you explain how Popkorn’s approach to taking on unfamiliar projects provides a new point of view for these brands? 

We thrive on these challenges, as shown by our success in promoting new brands. Our small yet dynamic team, brimming with youthful energy and fresh perspectives, brings a unique edge to these emerging brands.

Our approach involves an open-minded exploration of uncharted territories, both for us and for the brands we partner with. This adaptability is key when dealing with newer brands and bigger brands when they approach us with uncertain new products, aligning perfectly with our love for diving into the unknown.

Importantly, we are selective about the brands we work with. We speak through the work we do and the individual talent at Popkorn (our kernels) which shows clearly when we make our first impression on a client. This process ensures creative fulfilment and profitability.

As South Asia’s Boutique Agency of the Year, what do you believe are the key factors that set Popkorn apart?

Popkorn’s pinnacle achievement was securing a Gold for South Asia’s Boutique Agency of the Year at the Campaign Asia awards in Mumbai last month. Our kernels saw Gold twice that night, with the win of a Gold Effie in Sri Lanka and the Boutique Agency Gold in India within 14 minutes, elevating Popkorn and Magic Mango Group to new heights. 

Our success stems from high revenue per employee, showcasing our lean efficiency. With over 95% employee retention, we are managing the brain drain effectively by upskilling traditional media professionals into digital roles. Our creative teams are trained to be versatile, managing tasks like scheduling and paid media to enrich their digital expertise.

Our youthful team, averaging 26-27 years old, injects fresh perspectives and demonstrates our commitment to nurturing young talent in pivotal roles, shaping the future of Sri Lanka’s digital landscape.

Can you share insights into Popkorn’s future plans? 

At Popkorn, the future always holds surprises. When we began, we couldn’t predict the next day, and now we’re expanding our original garage space, constructing a three-story building complete with an attic. This significant investment symbolizes our growth and our commitment to providing a creative and functional space for our team, including a boardroom for the very first time.!

Expanding our horizons, we’re now aiming for higher creative accolades. Winning South Asia’s Boutique Agency of the Year was just the beginning; we see these awards beyond their materialistic value. They’re pure motivation that makes a dull day brighter if there ever is one, bringing that feel-good factor to all our kernels.