This week I bring a story that I have only heard. I have not been witness to it, so can not vouch for its correctness. It is JAGBEETI (happened to someone else) and may not be JAGZAHIR (known by all). I am ready to accept denial on this one.
PIC: AFAQS
HTA (now JWT) Delhi in its 35 Jhandewalon, Rani Jhansi Road days HERO CYCLES was one of the prime account. And it had talent working on it. Maverick Manoj (More about him some other day) brilliant Tarun Rai and an Account executive a name I miss as I write. I remember that his surname was Agarwal and he was with HTA only for some 18 months.
The Account Executive used to drive a MERC, Tarun Rai a car and Manoj mostly seen on his battered down jeep or cycle. This team’s vehicle were inversely linked with their designation. But that is not the story or the point.
Under it’s CRM programme. Mike Khanna , the top boss for HTA India, was making his rounds to meet major clients across offices. Most of HTA-Delhi client were met in Delhi, but then you always have exception. For HERO CYCLES Mike made a trip down Ludhiana. I am told this was Mike’s only trip to Ludhiana to meet a client.
As Mike coming in, Tarun Rai reached Ludhiana earlier than the rest of the agency gang. He was very close to the owners; Munjals . BAUJI ( the 
senior most Munjal ) would playfully call him Puttar. So, on the day, Munjals with tarun rai were waiting in their conference room when Mike walked in with the rest of the HTA team. ( I have no knowledge of who all were there)
As customary, Mike went round the table. Shaking hands with everyone present. So it went like. ‘Hi,Mike from HTA’ and the
MIKE KHANNA
other person would introduce himself to him. Now soon, Mike reached where Tarun.Rai was sitting and that was closer to the Client than the agency team. Taking him to be one on the client side, Mike smartly extended his hand for the customary shake and said in his typical stiff lip tone ‘Hi, Mike from HTA’. Tarun did not show any sign of discomfort on his CEO introducing himself to him and just shook his hand replying ‘Hi, Tarun from HTA too’
UPDATE: I have people reporting in that TARUN himself has shared this with them. According to them the right version goes like this
MIKE: Hi, I am Mike Khanna I work for HTA
TARUN: Hi, I am Tarun Rai, I work for you
…… ABOVE IS A STORY THAT HAS VARIOUS VERSIONS ACCORDING TO WHO IS SHARING IT. HENCE, IF IT REALLY HAPPENNED OR NOT IS NOT KNOWN. ………
OTHER EPISODES IN ADVERTISING AND MARKETING
● Thank You ● Rain Clause – I ● Lethal Combination ● APPETITE ● Puncture ● Adultery- the moment ● ASSET ● I am Sankar ● The Count ● Time Bomb ● Small Tile ● Shoot Report ● Sardar Khush Hoga ● Shoot At Mud Island ● Kaali Peeli Picture ● Upgrade ● Juhi Effect ● Power Of Punjab ● Out ● Two More ● Eleven Minutes ● The Cherry Win ● The Presentation ● Black Gold ● Buffered ● Continue With Client ● Not Fired ● One Less Decision ● The Ghost Of 35 Rani Jhansi Road Jhandewalaon ● The Problem ● Imported Art Card ● Banyan Tree Agency
