Tell us a little bit about your background and where you were before Deloitte Digital.
Deepak Sobhani: I am a career consultant with 20+ years of experience in building digital solutions. I am a multi-disciplinary problem solver, with technical, analytical, and some creative skills. I love to blur boundaries between physical and digital while creating memorable user experiences. I enjoy forming teams and growing talent. I spent close to 19 years at SapientNitro leading the Mid-Atlantic region.
What attracted you to Deloitte Digital?
DS: The opportunity to bring digital and everything else Deloitte offers to our clients. In my previous organization I could definitely bring digital, but had to rely on other vendors for business strategy, change management, etc. The level of accountability was diluted and chances of success were only as good as the weakest link.
What do you believe sets us apart from the competition?
DS: Our size, our brand, our ownership structure, our connections, our reputation, our people.
What’s surprised you the most since starting at Deloitte Digital?
DS: Our ability and willingness to do “value-based billing.” It demonstrates our focus on achieving results for our customers and encourages entrepreneurial mindset across our organization.
What do you see as the biggest area for growth in your discipline?
DS: Helping our clients connect the dots across the entire organization. As an example, clients are asking for Customer 360, CRM, big data, predictive modeling, marketing platforms, etc., but all solutions need centralized data. This data is often housed in different departments under different P&L, making it harder to unlock true potential.
What do you think the future looks like for creative agencies?
DS: I think data/technology is going to replace a lot of what agencies do – for example, programmatic buying or machine learning to come up with taxonomy and navigation structure. The concept of “no UI” will also play a role in changing the creative-only agency.Next-generation agencies will focus on creating an environment that allows real innovations by bringing skills in technology, data, finance, and industry, along with the creative mindset, instead of working on media commissions.
What inspires you?
DS: Seeing experiences, solutions going live and being used by people.
What’s your favorite emoji?
DS: Curious face.
Better Jimmy, Fallon or Kimmel?
DS: I prefer John Oliver. If I have to pick a Jimmy, then I’d rather watch Fallon.
What’s on your current playlist?
DS: Right now it’s Justin Timberlake and Pitbull, but Sting and AR Rahman generally keep coming back.