© ima-consulting.ru. Vartan Sarkisov presents the logo for the elections of State Duma deputies

05 Mar 2013, 15:01

The PR agency IMA-Consulting, which in 2012 developed the structure of the administration of the Tomsk region for the new governor Sergei Zhvachkin, came into the spotlight of the federal media. The scandalous publication about the company was posted on its website by the political analysis bureau The KremlNews.

The publication recalls the State Duma elections in 2010, when the propaganda posters of the Moscow City Election Commission, developed by IMA-consulting, coincided with similar products of United Russia. The authors of the material found that about 90 percent of the orders of the agency, headed by Vartan Sarkisov, fall on government agencies, while implementation often causes conflicting assessments. “The agency regularly produces projects for the almost complete disappearance of budget funds. The existence of dishonest consulting characterizes the specifics of the Russian PR market as a whole,” the text says. Taiga.info reprints the material, published on the website kremlnews.ru.

The grimace of the Russian PR market: some major players are fighting for clients, others are quietly resting on servicing government orders. Not long ago, one of the popular online publications pleased readers with a story about how “creatively” officials in Moscow approach the matter of strengthening interethnic relations.

In short, this is what happened. In September 2012, the department for interregional cooperation, national policy and relations with religious organizations decided to urgently (by the end of the year) spend about 10 million rubles on friendship between peoples. The PR agency IMA-Consulting, which won the competition, expressed its readiness to use this money to increase tolerance among football fans. As a result, the “Football Brotherhood” action was born, which, judging by reviews on the Internet, consisted of a mysterious march of people with fan scarves during the break of the Torpedo - Neftekhimik match.

Both teams, as you understand, are super popular, so the event turned out to be very powerful - especially considering that it all happened at 14:00 on Monday... Newspapers and TV channels talked about the action, which is where the story of the “Football Brotherhood” ended. Interethnic relations were not affected.

But to truly appreciate this story in the genre of “tales about simple cutting”, it is worth entering the name of the performing company into a search engine. Because for IMA-Consulting, “Football Brotherhood” is not just an unsuccessful action, but, so to speak, a finishing touch to the portrait. Another confirmation of a well-deserved “professional” reputation.

Consulting "from Vartan"

The IMA-Consulting agency has been working in the PR services market for a long time, but its “finest hour” came, perhaps, at the end of last year, at the height of the State Duma elections. Both the agency and its general director Vartan Sarkisov appeared in the federal media field in full. Then the Moscow City Election Commission released a series of propaganda posters, dedicated to the day voting. And then she appeared outdoor advertising“United Russia”, made in the same style as that of the Central Election Commission. The opposition made a fuss. They began to figure it out.

It turned out that the election commission posters were produced by IMA-consulting, which won the tender. Mr. Sarkisov himself did not hide this: he gave comments to the media and cynically emphasized that the Moscow City Election Commission does not have exclusive rights to the image and anyone can buy them from IMA-Consulting. At the same time, it was not indicated whether United Russia bought these rights or not?

Sarkisov did not hide: the Moscow City Election Commission does not have exclusive rights to the images, and anyone can buy them from IMA-Consulting

However, if she had wanted to do this, I think she would not have spent a penny (as, it seems, happened). For V. Sarkisov killed two birds with one stone - he received an order from the election commission and was lucky for his party. Why “yours”? Because he has a position there: in the “United Russia” branch of the Central Administrative District of Moscow he is listed as deputy secretary of the political council of the local branch. A wonderful merger of the party in power, PR business and the election commission. After this, there is no need to explain why the posters of “United Russia” and the election commission turned out to be similar like identical twins. But what a saving on creativity there was, no need to strain your brains at all!

It is worth paying tribute to Mr. Sarkisov. He received a good contract for the company: isn’t this a measure of his effectiveness as a manager? Well, the fact that the scandal came out later is the tenth thing, already from the ethical sphere. True, from stories like these, society generally draws a conclusion about PR specialists who do not shun anything.

Invisible "PR"

However, it is difficult to surprise IMA-Consulting with scandals. In any case, they do not seem to distract Sarkisov from his work: his agency regularly churns out projects on the almost complete disappearance of budget funds. For example, last summer IMA Consulting won a competition for information and analytical support for development local government. The price of the issues is 16 million rubles. This money was supposed to be used for monitoring social networks, sociological research, training sessions for “municipalities” and generally do a lot of useful things.

“...I worked there about a year ago, but I can’t say anything good about the company. The director of the company is a narcissistic curmudgeon, the likes of which the world has never seen. His face is covered in fat, and the people in the office are working for pennies. And in general, I am surprised how long employers like Sarkisov will continue to roll in the fat, and how long people in our country will tolerate such treatment as in IME-consulting. Don't learn from your mistakes. Learn from others - don’t go to work for this company.”

"Office and appearance talked about how he the only one living in his office like an Egyptian pharaoh"

I was at an interview. 3 times they brought the price down from the market average - in the end they brought it down to a minimum... Then they took me to the director... I began to voice complaints that I did not have enough experience - to bring down the price. When I said that this was already the minimum, then he dropped the catchphrase “Money is not the main thing in life.” I agree. But his office and appearance indicated that he was the only one living in his office like an Egyptian pharaoh, while other employees with a gray-green complexion and bulging eyes dream of legitimate rest and earned wages... In a company with such Working with an image means not respecting yourself...”

For comparison, here are the words of V. Sarkisov himself from one interview: “Companies are different. Some are of the “family” type, where all employees must be like-minded people. For others, professionals are important first and foremost. I hope that our company is closer to the technological market structure, so we strive to recruit professionals...” After this, I would like to clarify: and professionals in what field?

There are a dozen such rhetorical questions that can be asked. The conclusion will always be the same: excuse the banality, but a fly in the ointment spoils the barrel of honey. So it is here - the existence of such consulting “from Vartan” characterizes the specifics of the Russian PR market as a whole.

Vartan Sarkisov drove about half a kilometer with the man on the hood. He only stopped when his SUV rammed several parked cars. The court decided to place the reckless driver under arrest for two months.

It was established that at the time of the accident the foreign car was moving at a speed of more than 140 kilometers per hour. Another aggravating circumstance was that the driver tried to run away instead of calling an ambulance.

He hid for a long time, first from the police, then from investigators in a paid clinic. And only during the arrest procedure did he appear before the public. The son of successful businessmen, another representative of the golden youth, Vartan Sarkisov, according to detectives, killed a pedestrian while driving an elite SUV several days ago.

He often visited London, however, now there was nothing left of his usual polish. He's handcuffed, in a cast and sportswear. Not paying any attention to dozens of television cameras and a lot of questions, Vartan Sarkisov, who is talking intently with the lawyers about something. Two defense attorneys immediately explain to him how to behave at the hearing and what to answer to the judge.

He has just been discharged from the clinic. In an accident, Sarkisov seriously injured his arm and spent several days in a hospital ward. Now Vartan is accused under the article “Violation of rules traffic resulting in death."

The racer's mother was also interrogated at the meeting. Elena Sarkisova, of course, shielded her son as best she could. But what can you say when all the evidence is against him. It was established that moments before the accident, the reckless driver accelerated his luxury SUV to 145 kilometers per hour. A speed at which it is impossible to react and stop immediately.

In addition, Sarkisov was intoxicated. The results of the examination confirm this. In addition, law enforcement officers have at their disposal And it flies out onto the sidewalk and hits parked cars. Two people run out of the salon. It is known that before this, the reckless driver dragged Andrei Shestakov on the hood of a pedestrian for half a kilometer. That morning, the chef of a high-end restaurant was going to church. The man was 58 years old. He died on the spot without regaining consciousness. Andrei Shestakov is survived by two children.

By the way, another interesting fact in the biography of the reckless driver: judging by his account on social networks, Sarkisov. And they are connected not only by communication on the Internet, but by the abundance of fines for exceeding the permissible speed. Over the past few weeks alone, Sarkisov has received 12 receipts.

Nothing is yet known about the second participant in this high-profile story, that is, about the passenger who was in the SUV at the time of the accident. He fled the scene. True, it has still not been possible to find him. But he, obviously, could clarify important details and assist the investigation.

Add information about the person

Biography

In 1989 he graduated from the Faculty of Mechanics and Technology of the Moscow Automotive Institute, in 1992 - from the Faculty of Economics of the same university.

During his student years (from 1988 to 1992) he was in a free Komsomol job as secretary of the Komsomol organization of the institute, deputy secretary of the Komsomol ZIL committee.

From 1992 to 1997, he was engaged in business and was the founder and director of the companies INLINKSERVICE and FrutKO.

From 1997 to 2001, he worked at the Population Information and Advisory Center of the Foundation for the Development of Parliamentarism in Russia as a consultant, then as head of the fund’s branch in the Southern Administrative District of Moscow.

In 2001, he was invited to the prefecture of the Southern Administrative District of Moscow, worked as deputy chief, chief Organizational management prefectures of the Southern Administrative District.

From 1997 to the present, he has been organizing election campaigns. He was the leader of more than ten successful campaigns for the elections of deputies to the Moscow City Duma, the State Duma of the Russian Federation, and regional governors.

In April 2003, he was invited to the IMA-consulting company to the position of Deputy General Director.

Since January 2005 - General Director of the IMA-Consulting company.

PR elite of Russia: 157 interviews with the highest echelon of Russian PR Roman Mikhailovich Maslennikov

Vartan Sarkisov (IMA-consulting)

How did you become the head of a PR agency - by founding it or as a result of promotion? What do you think is more interesting?

Before working at IMA-Consulting, I was professionally involved in organizing election campaigns, and in 2003 I joined the agency as Deputy General Director precisely to oversee political projects. In 2004, the situation changed: gubernatorial elections and elections to the State Duma in single-mandate constituencies were cancelled, and the agency began to actively develop new areas of work. And then I was offered to take the post of general director. Now I perceive the IMA-consulting agency as “my” business.

Is it possible to learn to become a PR specialist? Or is this a calling? How was it for you?

It is still difficult to talk about the quality of Russian PR education, since it still has a very short history. The PR field itself in Russia has been developing for just under 20 years, and it is clear that many people involved in the PR business do not have vocational education, which does not prevent them from being very successful. But in general, I believe in education in principle. I think that education is valuable not because of the acquisition of a certain amount of knowledge, but because at a university a person learns to quickly find the necessary information. And this is the most valuable skill for life.

You definitely need to study, but whether you absolutely need to study PR, I can’t say. As for the researchers working for us - marketers and analysts - they are all, of course, certified specialists. PR people mostly have a humanities education. And a calling, in my opinion, is needed in any profession.

I do not have a special education in the field of PR, but I do have two others - technical and economic. By and large, I am not a PR person. I am a person who is good at managing assets in the PR business. In addition, I always felt that I had a talent for communications, and my “combat” Komsomol youth gave me tremendous experience.

Do you choose your co-workers based on personal qualities (like-minded people) or professionals? Which is more profitable? Companies are different. Some are “family” type, organized according to the principle of a pride of lions, where all employees must be like-minded people. Others - market high-tech companies - are primarily interested in professionals. I hope that our company is closer to the technological market structure, so we strive to recruit professionals. It is more effective to work with professionals, but it is, of course, more comfortable to work with like-minded people. It is ideal when one thing is combined with the other, but like everything ideal, this happens very rarely.

How do you answer the question, for example, from strangers or relatives or friends - “what do you do?” G Speak honestly and give a mini-lecture “what is PR” or something else? Recently I was at a meeting of classmates, where everyone present told what they do. I was puzzled: how to describe the eclectic set of functions that I perform? Indeed, it is difficult to give a monosyllabic answer to this question. In our society, there is either no concept of PR at all, or many best case scenario They believe that PR is advertising. If the meta-listener is interested in hearing the answer, I, of course, tell what's what.

Please define as briefly as possible:

PR is: effective communications.

PR is: maximum effect with a minimum budget.

What makes you feel good about your work? Have you still lost interest and taste for the business? Is it your favorite? Both in work and in life in general, I enjoy getting results. I am a results man. Yes, I like working in communications and delving into the essence of projects myself, seeing with my own eyes how and what we do. In addition, PR people are very good at cheerfully reporting their victories to their boss. Therefore, if you want to know the whole truth about the agency’s work, you must watch it yourself. Our business has a peculiarity: colleagues only obey those they respect professional quality. And people very quickly realize how competent you are at what you lead. In our agency, the hierarchy is quite arbitrary, the atmosphere is very democratic, and therefore you always need to know the essence of the matter. I really love what I do. Despite the very tense rhythm, nerves and stress, every day - and this is true - I enjoy going to work.

Would you like your children to follow in your professional footsteps?

It doesn't matter who my children become. The main thing is that they make their choice consciously.

Without this education, in my opinion deep conviction, will not work for future use.

But I can say that working in a PR agency can teach you two very important things:

1) quickly find and receive information in very different industries;

2) learn to communicate with the outside world.

I think both will always be useful not only in a PR agency, but also in life. If my children, having worked in a PR agency, acquire such skills, it will definitely not interfere with their future lives.

This text is an introductory fragment. From the book Guide to Marketing Consulting Services author Ferber Mikhail

Part 1 Consulting as an industry

From the book Life and work abroad author Sander Sergey

Migration consulting Since there are a great many factors and criteria for assessing a particular country, it is quite understandable that deciding where to move is very difficult. A service such as migration consulting is designed to make the choice easier.

From the book Puppets of Business author Sharypkina Marina

Chapter 2. Your consulting 2.1. Information, dangers of lack or excess What does the term “information” mean? Until the middle of the twentieth century. information (from the Latin informatio - “explanation”, “presentation”) was understood as information transmitted to each other. At the moment precise definition

From the book SuperConsulting: PR and marketing in the field of audit and consulting author

From the book PR Elite of Russia: 157 interviews with the highest echelon of Russian PR author Maslennikov Roman Mikhailovich

From the book Choosing a Career author Bashkirova Valeria Georgievna

The top list of the rating was compiled based on expert assessment representatives of employers and companies working in the field of consulting, who were asked to name the best, in their opinion, specialists in this industry. Based on the results of this survey, a list was formed that included 150 business consultants working in the Russian market.

Personal fame.
Business reputation.
Level of professionalism. Ability to solve non-standard problems.
Systematic solution of assigned tasks.
Interaction with clients (clarity, flexibility, comfort, etc.).
Economic efficiency decisions.
Company fame.
Business reputation of the company.

Vartan Sarkisov, General Director of the PR agency IMA-Consulting, scored 29.45 points and took 25th place in the ranking.

short biography
From 1992 to 1997, Vartan Sarkisov was engaged in business and was the founder and director of a number of companies.
From 1997 to 2001, he worked as a consultant at the Population Information and Advisory Center of the Foundation for the Development of Parliamentarism in Russia, then as head of the fund’s branch in the Southern Administrative District of Moscow.
In 2001, he was invited to the prefecture of the Southern Administrative District of Moscow, worked as deputy chief, head of the Organizational Directorate of the Prefecture of the Southern Administrative District of Moscow.
From 1997 to the present, he has been organizing election campaigns. He was the leader of more than 10 successful campaigns for the elections of regional governors, deputies to the Moscow City Duma and the State Duma of the Russian Federation.
In April 2003, he was invited to the IMA-consulting company to the position of Deputy General Director.
Since January 2005 - General Director of the PR agency IMA-Consulting.

PR agency "IMA-consulting" has been operating in the integrated marketing communications market since 1999 and provides services in the following areas: public relations, communications management, GR and political consulting, research and analytics, development and implementation of strategies, Internet projects and online communications, design and creativity, publishing and social projects. Last year, the agency received the “PROBA-IPRA GWA – 2009” awards for “Best PR campaign on the Internet” and for the “Moscow Anti-Crisis Shield” project (www.antikrizismos.ru), created by order of the Moscow Government, which was also awarded a diploma in nominations " Best Project» National PR award “Silver Archer”.

CEO"IMA-consulting" Vartan Sarkisov took 25th place in the ranking of "Best Consultants of Russia" according to the magazine "Career" in 2010, and in September 2010 the agency took 2nd place in the ranking of PR agencies according to the information favored index.