Zulyad Islam Quazi : Director of Roebuck Communications and so much more

“What is the way to dream a dream?” – Zulyad Islam Quazi

Low-key Maestros

The masterminds behind films, adverts, that one funny skit and campaigns often remain in the shadow of their work; they prefer to move in silence and let their content do the work. Who would have thought that the minds behind Sylhet Sixer’s bombastic campaign to Uber or Foodpanda’s down to earth adverts had included someone as relatable as Zulyad Islam Quazi. Their team at Roebuck are as fun as they are passionate. If you didn’t know, Roebuck is a full-service creative and advertising agency. Their multi-disciplinary team develops best-in-class creative expressions and bring them to life across all touch-points.

MIND OVER MATTER

Zulyad says he seemed like someone who was never destined for greatness. He wasn’t a good student by any account. He aspired to be a pilot; which idea was later sadly shot down when he realized he had to study meticulously to be one. He still went to school and later on to university not knowing what he would be doing with his life – just like the rest of us. Zulyad had worked in communications for four years after graduating and quickly climbed through the ranks, despite of not having his heart in it.

Critical Corporate Ladders

Having been in a position that a lot of people coveted – a decent earning job and a sure-fire chance of climbing up as he went – he decided to choose heart over head. The work was good and he enjoyed it while it lasted (Zulyad stressed this point) – but it just wasn’t attractive anymore. When asked what word he would use for that period of his life, Zulyad answered after much deliberation: “difficult”. He doesn’t regret it though; he says it taught him lessons and skills he cherishes and uses religiously, and brought in lucrative contacts that he still keeps to this day.

When he announced he would leave his job, Zulyad was pleasantly surprised to find his parents supportive of his dreams. Earlier on he had cited his parent’s unwavering support and love as crucial to his upbringing.

Not unlike many of us, Zulyad found his dream career later in life. He always had a niggling passion and love for everything film and content, and it was only after meeting Reehan that he started to see things differently and truly started to understood the aspirations film brings with it. Zulyad claims he looks at films and content differently now. He says once you know how the industry and the post and pre-production processes work, it’s a whole new world. Zulyad could tell what intricacies went into what and that excited him to no bounds.

THE BIRTH OF ROEBUCK

Movie Challenges With Reehan & Others

Zulyad met his two other partners aside from Reehan, (Afraad and Tawfiq) while Reehan and him both navigating the film and content scene with naïve eyes. They were his clients initially; however, the four of them soon found a glaring common ground: their love for creativity. The way they came together was exciting: all of them were from different backgrounds and all of them had lucrative jobs to tide them over for their whole lives. When it came to leaving all of it behind, however, none of them spared a second thought. Together, they jumped into uncharted territory with beating hearts and minds full of bursting colors.

Zulyad’s Stubbornness & Aggression: Cherry on Top for Goal-digger Roebuck

Zulyad says – as Ariana would agree – he gets what he wants. He’s unapologetically pushy when his gut tells him that something is right. Apparently, that’s how he had to fight for the name of Roebuck. Being an avid fan of pirates, Zulyad named the company after the elusive 18th-century pirate ship. Coincidentally, Roebuck is also a kind of animal: it’s very fast, strong and resilient. He’s hesitant to add aggressive to that list of adjectives but he feels it’s very appropriate considering Roebuck’s branding choices. Their adverts come on very strong and that is how their brand persona is seen as.

As a cherry on top, the Roebuck’s horns represent the branches of trees: each of the branches represent a service they provide, Zulyad reveals.

IN THE EYES OF A MARKETER

How Zulyad would have channeled Chelsea?

Bleeding blue and white for as long as he can remember, when asked what he would do differently if he were to land Chelsea Football Club as a marketing client, super Chelsea fan-boy Zulyad says he would follow the steps of their arch nemesis (Manchester United) and increase their reach to more continents and communities. He cites the tactics of Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal as his inspiration for Sylhet Sixers.

Zulyad’s Three Clouds set in Cloud 9

Here lies Zulyad’s dream list of clientele:

1) Nike

2)Ferrari

3)Apple

ZULYAD’S ACCOLADES EXTRANEOUS TO ROEBUCK

Filling in the Musical Scene with Beats!

Zulyad Islam Quazi with his tantalizing band, The Circus Police has rekindled the missing heat in the underground musical scenario of Bangladesh. Zulyad covers the position of drummer and percussionist of the energetic band.

He remains as the reliable shoulder for coordinating groove mechanisms of the band.

Brand Imaging of Sports Scene:

Roebuck is associated with the powerful sports team Sylhet Sports Limited, where Zulyad acts as the Marketing Director of Brand & Public Relations. The Roebuck team behind the Sylhet Sixers team oversees wide range of activities such as: establishment of brand strategy, brand identity design, brand and logo launch, propagating video productions, marketing logistics and jersey-brand design.