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Category: PR & Communication

  • Confiance bags Specta PR account to shape surface-level storytelling into national design buzz

    Confiance bags Specta PR account to shape surface-level storytelling into national design buzz

    MUMBAI: Confiance Communications has secured the public relations mandate for Jaipur-based luxury quartz brand, Specta Quartz Surfaces. The partnership aims to reimagine home aesthetics with a focus on design consciousness, sustainability, and cultural relevance.

    As Indian homeowners lean towards personalised, sustainable interiors, Specta and Confiance have set their sights on transforming the quartz slab maker into a lifestyle brand with cultural depth and national appeal. The timing aligns with an inflection point in Indian design sensibilities, where statement surfaces and ethical design matter more than ever.

    Confiance will roll out a long-term communications blueprint that blends high-impact storytelling with media visibility, innovation showcases, and thought leadership. The aim: to strengthen Specta’s voice among architects, designers, and homeowners who think beyond the usual stone and polish.

    “Specta is building a distinctive voice in the surfaces category—rooted in Indian culture yet global in aesthetic sensibilities, material innovation, and sustainability. Our goal is to unlock deeper brand meaning and elevate Specta into national conversations around conscious luxury”, said Confiance Communications founder & chief strategist Bushra Ismail.

    Specta Quartz Surfaces communications and sustainability head Akshat Jain said, “At Specta, we’ve always believed that surfaces do more than finish a space—they define its soul—and we approach our aesthetics with the same mindset. As we enter our next phase of growth and expansion, our focus is to lead the conversation around design-forward, design-conscious living. Partnering with Confiance gives us the strategic power to translate that vision into a narrative which can inspire homeowners, architects and designers to think beyond utility and embrace surfaces as expressions of identity and culture”.

    In the months ahead, Confiance will steer Specta through a slate of initiatives — from seasonal cultural storytelling to pop-culture campaigns, and commentary that shapes how Indians perceive surfaces as symbols of value. The agency will also help sharpen Specta’s sustainability and ‘Make in India’ storylines, spotlighting its low-waste production, non-toxic materials, and social impact credentials.

    With this mandate, Confiance adds another feather to its portfolio, proving once again that some of the most powerful design stories start at surface level.

  • Value 360 goes public with a plot twist

    Value 360 goes public with a plot twist

    MUMBAI: Just before it hits the stock market, Value 360 Communications has dropped a blockbuster announcement. The 18-year-old PR and brand-building firm is joining forces with filmmaker and AI trailblazer Vivek Anchalia to launch a generative AI-powered creative studio — a bold move meant to future-proof its business as it eyes an IPO on the SME Exchange.

    The upcoming studio blends the art of storytelling with the speed of generative tech, promising personalised, high-volume content for brands across platforms — and with a lot less fuss. It’s Value 360’s way of telling the market (and its future shareholders) that it’s not just keeping up with change, it’s helping write the next chapter.

    Vivek Anchalia, the man behind India’s first AI-generated feature film Naisha and co-writer of Netflix’s Rajma Chawal, will lead the creative direction of the studio. Anchalia, who also helms the AI-first content company Amazing Indian Stories, called AI “a force multiplier for creativity” that can help brands scale content without killing the soul of storytelling.

    “This new AI-powered creative studio reflects Value 360’s larger vision to not just participate, but actively lead the evolution of communications, marketing, and storytelling,” said Value 360 Communications Ltd group CEO & co-founder Kunal Kishore. “As we enter the public markets, we want to demonstrate to our investors, clients, and partners that our growth strategy is rooted in innovation, agility, and anticipating what modern brands will demand over the next decade.”

    The studio will sit within Value 360’s growing ecosystem, complementing its PR, influencer, media, and digital services with on-demand, AI-generated creative muscle — perfect for brands racing against the content clock.

    “AI is not a threat to creativity, it’s a force multiplier,” said Anchalia. “Together, we are building a model that enables brands to scale quality content like never before, while preserving creative integrity. This is the future of storytelling, and I’m excited to build this vision alongside Value 360.”

    The announcement lands just weeks before Value 360 is expected to file its Draft Red Herring Prospectus, kicking off the countdown to its IPO. The company, now transitioning from a scrappy startup to a listed firm, is banking on innovation-led growth — and it’s betting big on AI to lead the charge.

    Because if content is still king, AI might just be the new crown.

  • Amoli Hindlekar leaps from Network18 to Omnicom, set to lead PR

    Amoli Hindlekar leaps from Network18 to Omnicom, set to lead PR

    MUMBAI: Corp com whiz  Amoli Hindlekar, has traded her Network18 perch for a sparkling new role as PR lead at Omnicom Advertising Group (OAG). After a “memorable stint” at Network18, where she spent two years and seven months shaping narratives, Hindlekar is now poised to bring her A-game to OAG, promising “storytelling, strategy, [and] impact.”

    It seems the ink is barely dry on her Network18 chapter, which concluded in June 2025. Before that, Hindlekar flexed her communication muscles at DDB Mudra Group for two years and nine months as corporate communications manager, following a nearly three-year tenure as associate manager- corporate communications at Dentsu Aegis Network India. Her career kicked off with a public relations executive gig at Fountainhead Mkting giving her a well-rounded foundation in the world of spin.

    Hindlekar’s move to OAG signals a fresh wave of “bold ideas and meaningful work” from an industry veteran who clearly knows how to make headlines – and now, how to get others to make them too. Omnicom will no doubt be pleased as punch to have snapped up such a seasoned pro.

  • Reddit appoints first chief communications officer

    Reddit appoints first chief communications officer

    MUMBAI: Reddit has announced the appointment of Adam Collins as its inaugural chief communications officer, a strategic move to sharpen the company’s narrative as it increasingly influences the AI landscape and serves a vast global community.

    Collins brings over two decades of communications experience to his new role, reporting directly to chief executive Steve Huffman. His mandate includes overseeing all internal and external communications, guiding senior leadership, and contributing to the company’s growth trajectory. “Reddit stands at the intersection of how people connect online today and how people will engage with the technology of tomorrow,” Collins stated, expressing his enthusiasm for helping the community expand.

    Before joining Reddit, Collins served as chief communications and corporate affairs officer at Molson Coors Beverage Co for more than six years, where he played a key role in shaping company strategy. His extensive background also includes nearly two decades in political communications, with notable stints as communications director for Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago police department, and as press secretary for Wisconsin governor Jim Doyle.

    A political science graduate from the University of Louisville, Collins is a fan of subreddits such as r/nikerunclub, r/CHICubs, and r/Habs. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys his children’s sporting events, sailing, and cheering for the Chicago Cubs.

    This appointment follows the departure of Anna Soellner, who was instrumental in establishing Reddit’s communications team and served as one of the company’s longest-serving executives for nearly nine years. Soellner played a pivotal role in bolstering Reddit’s reputation and navigating its most transformative periods.

  • Confiance Communications wins PR mandate for Hoi, India’s rising airport-tech disruptor

    Confiance Communications wins PR mandate for Hoi, India’s rising airport-tech disruptor

    MUMBAI: With terminals turning into tech battlegrounds and flyers demanding seamless navigation, Hoi, the country’s fastest-growing airport tech concierge, has onboarded Confiance Communications as its official PR partner. The announcement comes as Hoi scales operations across India’s top airports—Delhi, Goa, and Hyderabad—bringing its AI-powered, service-first platform to the forefront of travel innovation.

    From lounge lizards to last-minute boarders, Hoi promises travellers real-time updates, smart gate tracking, and even a bite before boarding—via seamless food pre-ordering. Its menu of premium perks also includes exclusive lounge access, vip meet-and-greets, porter services, and a 24/7 AI-powered info centre.

    Confiance Communications will now lead Hoi’s brand narrative with a sharp focus on traveller-first storytelling and media partnerships. The mandate will include strategic outreach to aviation stakeholders, digital-first flyers, and tech-forward passengers looking for efficiency at every terminal touchpoint.

    “With airports becoming increasingly complex, Hoi’s tech-first approach in simplifying the entire airport journey directly addresses travellers’ key pain points. Our role here will be to showcase how Hoi’s innovative technology is setting new benchmarks in travel convenience, positioning them at the forefront of India’s travel-tech revolution”, said Confiance Communications founder & chief strategist Bushra Ismail.

    “This partnership is a key brand awareness lever — Confiance Communications will help us position Hoi as India’s most trusted travel companion and showcase how technology is reshaping air travel experiences”, added Hoi deputy CEO Dhruv Godara.

    As Hoi continues its mission to make airports smarter, Confiance aims to make its story impossible to miss.

     

  • Ameer Ismail signs off after 28 years at Lintas Live: PR titan to chase new-age dreams

    Ameer Ismail signs off after 28 years at Lintas Live: PR titan to chase new-age dreams

    MUMBAI – After nearly three decades of steering one of India’s most respected PR engines, president of Lintas Live, Ameer Ismail, has officially called time on his storied stint at MullenLowe Lintas group.

    Ismail, a name long synonymous with the rise and reinvention of Lintas Live (formerly LinOpinion), is stepping down to pursue “new opportunities” in the ever-evolving world of communications, hinting at an AI-infused future that has him excited and energised.

    “I’ve had a dream run,” said Ismail. “The future of PR is exhilarating—AI is opening up an entirely new canvas. My next move will build on the deep experience I’ve gathered across disciplines.”

    Joining Lintas in 1996, Ismail became one of India’s longest-serving PR heads. Over the years, he transformed the agency from a traditional public relations outfit into a digital-first, integrated comms powerhouse—fusing media strategy, influencer engagement, crisis comms, and creative storytelling into award-winning campaigns
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    His leadership earned client trust across sectors, with marquee names like Tata Starbucks, Etihad Airways, Hyatt, Budweiser, Sony Pictures Networks India, and Visit Victoria turning to Lintas Live for cutting-edge comms.

    Ismail held multiple senior roles within the group—across dCell, Advent, and Lintertainment—before spearheading the Golin joint venture and joining its global leadership in 2014. By 2018, he was also chief growth officer at PointNine Lintas, all while continuing to captain the PR business.

    With over 500 brands and countless C-suite leaders under his strategic wing, Ismail’s counsel became industry gold. He’s served on advisory boards and juries for Sabre, Abby, and Fulcrum, and was feted by CMO Asia in 2011 for his contribution to corporate comms.

    While he readies for his next act, Lintas Live, backed by a robust client roster and mentored leadership, remains in steady hands. Ismail will stay on in the short term to ensure a smooth transition.

    A committed mentor and academic, he continues to lecture at top comms schools including Symbiosis, XIC, and Scranton University, and serves on the Score advisory council.

    As Ameer Ismail bows out, the Indian PR world salutes a leader who didn’t just follow trends—he wrote the playbook.

  • FCB India spins gold in PR specialist agency of the year at Abby Creative Awards by One Show

    FCB India spins gold in PR specialist agency of the year at Abby Creative Awards by One Show

    GOA: Day two of Goafest 2025 witnessed FCB India absolutely demolishing the competition in the public relations category, proving that sometimes the best way to handle PR is to simply be brilliant at it.

    The agency swept to victory as ‘public relations specialist agency of the year’ with a frankly ridiculous haul of 66 points, built on four golds, three silvers, three bronzes and two merits. It was the sort of performance that left rivals wondering whether they’d accidentally entered a different competition entirely.

    Leo India managed a respectable runner-up spot with 38 points, courtesy of three silvers, four bronzes and two merits—though one suspects they might have preferred trading some of that bronze for a bit more gold. Tribes Communication rounded out the podium with 26 points, bagging one gold, two silvers, one bronze and a merit in what can only be described as a thoroughly balanced performance.

    The others  made their presence felt too. BC Web Wise nabbed 10 points with one silver and one bronze, whilst Grey group and Mudra Max each scored eight points—Grey group with a single gold and Mudra Max with two bronzes. Meanwhile, ^a t o m network, Godrej Enterprises group, and Social Panga – Higa Digital all managed six points apiece, proving that in the PR game, every point counts.

    Even the laggards got their moment. Grey Alchemy picked up four points with a bronze, whilst boAt Lifestyle and Digitas each secured two points with a merit—hardly earth-shattering, perhaps, but better than going home empty-handed.

    The Abby Creative Awards 2025, powered by The One Show, continued their relentless march through specialist categories, with broadcaster, digital specialist, design specialist, mobile specialist, technology specialist, and direct specialist awards all up for grabs. 

  • PR Professionals wins digital brief for Bihar’s food distribution giant BSFC

    PR Professionals wins digital brief for Bihar’s food distribution giant BSFC

    MUMBAI: In a significant nod to its growing influence in public sector communications, PR Professionals (PRP) has bagged the digital media mandate for the Bihar State Food & Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (BSFC), a vital cog in India’s public distribution machinery. The partnership aims to transform how BSFC communicates with the public, placing a spotlight on transparency, governance, and food security impact.

    BSFC, which operates under the Food and Consumer Protection Department of Bihar, distributes essential commodities like rice, wheat, sugar and kerosene via over 45,000 fair price shops. It serves more than 76 million beneficiaries under schemes like Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households. The corporation also handles grain procurement at minimum support prices and has rolled out the e-PDS platform to digitise supply chains across Bihar’s depots and godowns.

    PR Professionals founder & MD Sarvesh Kumar Tiwari said, “We are honoured to partner with Bihar State Food & Civil Supplies Corporation, an institution that plays a critical role in safeguarding food security for millions. Our efforts will be focused on amplifying BSFC’s mission and impact through strategic digital outreach, fostering public trust, and showcasing the Corporation’s innovations in governance and service delivery. We see this collaboration as more than a mandate, it is a shared commitment to social good, transparency, and inclusive development”.

    The win strengthens PRP’s hold in Bihar, where the agency already manages communications for the Bihar School Examination Board, the Department of Revenue and Land Reforms, Bameti, and the Patna Metro, among others. PRP was also behind the successful promotion and event execution for the 85 All India Presiding Officers’ Conference in Patna — a high-stakes government event featuring key legislative leaders from across the country.

    Founded in 2011, PR Professionals is the flagship arm of the PRP Group and operates 12 offices in India and six overseas. The group also owns Confianza Consulting, a firm specialising in HR services including talent acquisition and compliance.

  • Shivictry PR rolls out bi-annual appraisals to fuel faster growth and reward rising talent

    Shivictry PR rolls out bi-annual appraisals to fuel faster growth and reward rising talent

    MUMBAI: Shivictry PR has rewritten the rules of workplace recognition, becoming one of the few firms in the Indian communications industry to adopt a bi-annual appraisal cycle. The move is part of a broader talent-first approach introduced by founder & director Himanshu Kothari, aimed at championing employee growth with greater frequency, transparency, and impact.

    Beginning this year, the Delhi-based agency will conduct performance evaluations every six months—breaking away from the traditional once-a-year format followed across most corporate setups. The updated system includes feedback sessions, goal reviews, skill assessments, and compensation revisions—rolled into a twice-a-year rhythm that’s geared for agility.

    “We believe that exceptional talent deserves timely acknowledgment”, said Kothari. “By moving to a six-month appraisal cycle, we’re not only recognising performance more frequently, but we’re also creating new opportunities for learning, mentorship, and career advancement. Our people are our greatest asset, and this initiative is a step forward in empowering them to reach their full potential”.

    The new cycle will include personalised development plans tailored to each team member’s growth trajectory, aligning professional aspirations with business outcomes. The shift is also expected to help managers act on underperformance more proactively while rewarding creativity and consistency faster—giving high-potential employees more reason to stay, learn, and lead.

    With a portfolio packed with strategic brand communication wins and fast-growing client rosters, Shivictry PR has become a fixture among top Indian PR agencies. Much of that growth, the company maintains, has been driven by its team-first ethos—now reinforced by the bi-annual review model.

    In a competitive industry where churn rates and burnout are all too common, Shivictry PR’s move sends a strong signal: employee feedback shouldn’t have to wait for an anniversary. Sometimes, half a year is more than enough to recognise the value someone brings to the table.

  • Primex quenches Clear Premium Water’s PR thirst with third-time mandate win

    Primex quenches Clear Premium Water’s PR thirst with third-time mandate win

    MUMBAI: In a relationship that continues to age better than bottled water, Primex Media Services has been reappointed as the public relations agency for Clear Premium Water—for the third time running. The move cements Primex’s credentials as a communications player that delivers both reach and resonance.

    Clear Premium Water renewed its faith in the Surat-headquartered agency for another term of strategic storytelling, media outreach, and brand positioning. The agency’s remit includes press releases, crisis communication, media conferences, and content development across digital and traditional platforms.

    “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Clear Premium Water, a brand that stands for purity, quality, and trust. This continued association is a strong endorsement of our capabilities and commitment. Our goal remains to elevate Clear Premium Water’s presence across media and to reinforce its reputation through consistent and impactful communication. The renewed mandate also reflects the growing importance of sustained and strategic PR in building brand equity”, said Primex Media Services founder & CEO Nitesh Desai.

    “Primex Media Services has been a trusted communications partner who truly understands our brand values and business goals. Its strategic insights and media relations expertise have played a key role in shaping our brand image and public perception. We are pleased to extend our association and look forward to more successful chapters in our growth story”, said Shah.

    In an age where every brand seeks to stay relevant and visible, Clear Premium Water’s decision to retain Primex reflects the rising weight of strategic communication in shaping perception and performance alike.