Frequently asked questions
What we do, when to hire a creative agency, how we work with brands worldwide, and how to start a project with TopScout.
About TopScout
What is TopScout?
TopScout (TTS) is a global creative agency, brewed in Bengaluru. We pair old-world craft with new-world pace to make the work culture can't ignore: AI films, influencer campaigns, brand worlds, and performance creative. Founded in 2020 by Rishi Bhattacharjee and Shruti Gupta, we've shipped 535+ campaigns across a network of 8,950+ creators.
What does a creative agency actually do?
A creative agency turns a business goal into work people notice: strategy, concept, design, film, and distribution. TopScout covers that full arc, from the first insight to the final asset, so brands get one accountable partner instead of five disconnected vendors.
What makes TopScout different from other creative agencies?
We are AI-native but craft-first. We use AI to move at the speed culture demands, while every piece is still directed by senior people who care about the result. That combination lets a lean team ship broadcast-quality work fast.
Where is TopScout based?
We are headquartered in Bengaluru, India, and work with brands globally. Bengaluru is home; the work travels.
Who founded TopScout?
Rishi Bhattacharjee (CEO and Founder) and Shruti Gupta (Co-Founder and CSO) founded TopScout in 2020.
Services
What services does TopScout offer?
AI films and AI-produced branded media, influencer marketing, branding and identity design, performance marketing, TVCs and DVCs, social media brand development, tech-led immersions (VR, AR, 3D), print and OOH, podcasts, and agentic workflow automations.
What makes TopScout's AI films different?
We slow-cook AI films over a week, not 30 minutes. AI is the tool; craft is the standard. The result is broadcast-quality work that is AI-native but never feels AI-generated.
How much does an AI film or AI video cost?
AI film cost depends on scope: length, number of scenes, voice and music licensing, and revision rounds. We scope and price every project up front, so you see the cost before any work begins.
How long does a brand identity project take?
Most brand identity engagements run around four to eight weeks, depending on scope and the number of review rounds. We share a clear timeline before we start.
What does an influencer marketing campaign with TopScout look like?
We design influencer campaigns that don't read like ad scripts, matching creators to the brand by fit rather than follower count. Drawing on a network of 8,950+ creators, we handle strategy, creator selection, creative direction, and measurement in one engagement.
When to engage
When should a brand hire a creative agency?
Hire a creative agency when ambition outpaces in-house capacity: a launch, a rebrand, a new market, or work that needs a level of craft your team can't staff for. If you are saying this needs to be great and we can't make it great alone, it's time.
What are the signs your brand needs a rebrand?
Common signals: the brand looks dated next to competitors, the story no longer matches what you sell, you have outgrown your original positioning, or your assets are inconsistent across channels. If the brand is holding back growth instead of driving it, it's time to rebuild.
Is my brand ready for AI video?
If you need high volume, fast turnaround, or concepts that are impractical to shoot live, AI video is ready for you. It suits brands that want cinematic ideas without a full production timeline. The bar is whether craft still leads, which is where TopScout's slow-cooked approach matters.
When should a brand invest in influencer marketing?
Invest when you need trust and reach that ads alone can't buy, when launching to a new audience, or when your category is driven by recommendation. It works best once you know who your customer is and want credible voices to carry the message.
When is performance creative the right investment?
Performance creative is right when you are spending on paid media but the creative, not the targeting, is now the bottleneck. If your ads are fatiguing or your cost per result is climbing, better-performing creative is usually the highest-leverage fix.
Should I build an in-house creative team or hire an agency?
Build in-house for steady, high-volume, always-on work; hire an agency for range, senior craft, and speed without long-term headcount. Many brands do both: an in-house team for the day-to-day and an agency like TopScout for the work that has to land.
Working with us internationally
Does TopScout work with international clients?
Yes. We are a global agency that works with brands across India, the US, the UK and Europe, and the Middle East and APAC. Most of our process is built to run remotely without losing craft.
How does working with a Bengaluru creative agency work if I'm in the US, UK, or Gulf?
We run as a remote creative partner: shared timelines, async reviews, and live calls in your working hours. We keep daily overlap with US, UK, and Gulf time zones, and Bengaluru's clock means work often moves forward while your team sleeps.
How do you handle currency and contracts for international clients?
We invoice in INR, USD, SGD, AED, or EUR, and work to contracts and terms that suit your jurisdiction. Tell us how your team prefers to contract and we will fit it.
How do you handle IP, confidentiality, and ownership of the work?
The work we create for you is yours, and we are glad to work under an NDA whenever you need one. Your brand, your assets, your ownership.
Why work with an Indian creative agency instead of a local one?
You get senior, globally fluent craft at a structurally better rate, plus the speed of an AI-native studio. The best Indian agencies now produce world-class work for global brands; the question is craft and fit, not postcode.
Engagement and fit
How do I start a project with TopScout?
Send a brief through thetopscout.com or email rishi@thetopscout.com. Tell us the brand, the ambition, and the timeline. We'll take it from there.
What is TopScout's typical engagement model: project or retainer?
Both. We work project-based for one-off films, launches, and identity work, and on monthly retainers for ongoing content, social, and performance creative. We will recommend whichever fits your goals.
What size of brands do you work with? Do you work with startups?
We work with everyone from funded startups to category leaders. Founders are welcome; several of our engagements start at the build-from-zero stage.
What industries does TopScout work with?
We work across consumer and FMCG, D2C and e-commerce, technology and SaaS, and entertainment, media, and gaming. The common thread is brands that want work worth talking about.
