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Tag: Ameer Ismail

  • 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.

  • Ameer Ismail promoted as GolinOpinion president

    MUMBAI: PR veteran Ameer Ismail has been promoted to President by MullenLowe Lintas Group, effective immediately. He has led the group’s PR firmGolinOpinion (formerly LinOpinion) for over 20 years and built the agency into one of the top players in the PR industry. He was also instrumental in bringing Golin on-board as JV partner in India in 2014. GolinOpinion operates as a part of the marketing services offerings of MullenLowe Lintas Group.

    Ameer continues to report to Vikas Mehta – Group CMO & President, Marketing Services for the group. Announcing this elevation, Vikas said “Ameer is just the right mix of Vintage and Vision. In a time when the practice of PR is more important than ever, but the business of PR is getting highly commoditized; he’s the kind of leader the industry needs. PR is an integral part of our re-bundled offering and GolinOpinion occupies a great position in the market today. Reinventing yourself from a position of strength is a rare & valuable opportunity and I’m delighted to have Ameer lead that agenda for us.”

    Founded in 1996, LinOpinion was amongst the first PR offerings by a communications group (Lintas) in India, and remains the most successful of any agency’s PR offerings to date. Since 2015, the agency has been on a journey to evolve its model, structure, and offerings. The agency is now fully structured around Golin’s world-renowned G4 model. It was also one of the first PR firms in the country to offer a social media practice in the form of brand newsrooms, called the Bridge™.

    Speaking of the promotion, Ameer Ismail, says, “I am so proud to be a part of this great institution – the MullenLowe Lintas Group and am looking forward to this new phase in my journey with a renewed focus and dedication towards delivering great work. GolinOpinion is recognized as a premium and leading player in the PR industry. We have today some of the best brands represented in our portfolio. As the business evolves, I am tasked to work closely with our management team to takeGolinOpinion to even greater heights by building scale and new competencies that will continue the brave work that has been our trademark so far.”

    GolinOpinion manages the PR mandate for some leading global and Indian companies and brands including TATA Starbucks, Dubai Ports World, Budweiser, Texas Instruments, HUL (multiple brands), Seiko, Etihad Airways, Marriott International Inc, Porsche, Lamborghini, Cinepolis and Sony Pictures Networks India.

    Ameer is a part of the Golin global leadership group and works closely with the regional and global MDs. He serves on the advisory committee board of several management forums. He has served as a jury for several award shows including SABRE and GoaFest. He has worked with the Centre of Change Management in successful seminars like International Brand Summit and The Asia Pacific HR Conference. He was also awarded the CMO Asia Award for Outstanding Contribution to Corporate Communications in Singapore in 2011 and recently named one of the top 10 leaders in the PR industry in India by Reputation Today magazine.

  • British Council awards India PR mandate to LinOpinion GH

    British Council awards India PR mandate to LinOpinion GH

    NEW DELHI: LinOpinion GH, India’s premier public relations consultancy and the PR division of Lowe Lintas + Partners, today announced that it has won the prestigious PR mandate for British Council, UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities for India. The mandate is to assist British Council in India to develop strategic communication routes and create consistent visibility for the organization. The consultancy will also help effectively communicate knowledge sharing and collaboration of best practices between India and the UK. LinOpinion GH won this mandate in a multi-agency pitch and this account will be led by its Delhi office.

    Commenting on this strategic win, Ameer Ismail, Executive Director, LinOpinion GH and Lowe Lintas + Partners said, “We are delighted to partner with a coveted brand like British Council.  Cultural relations and exchange is at the core of international relations and so important to both India and the UK. We have been successful in understanding the wide ranging imperatives and we look forward to contributing to the core objectives of British Council in India and playing a strategic role in strengthening their relationship with the country.”

    “The thinking and strategic framework we recommended was well appreciated. In addition, our deep understanding of the media and the environment gives us an edge to recommend concepts that will work best with the media and we intend to use innovative platforms to reach out to the right target audiences with the right message. We take pride in designing and implementing public relations plans that result in a large impact in terms of share of voice for brands.” added Lavang Asthana Khare, Executive Vice President, LinOpinion GH.

    British Council comes as a significant addition to LinOpinion GH’s roster of clients in Delhi. The agency currently services some iconic brands like Discovery Networks Asia Pacific, Starwood Group of Hotels, DCM Shriram Ltd, Rapid Metro, Malaysia Airlines and Ciena among others.

     

  • LinOpinion GolinHarris brings ‘The Bridge’ to India

    LinOpinion GolinHarris brings ‘The Bridge’ to India

    MUMBAI: LinOpinion GolinHarris has launched ‘The Bridge’ in Mumbai.

     

    The Bridge, a concept of GolinHarris, is the centerpiece of a new working model termed G4. The tool has changed the way real time insights, in today’s increasingly digital landscape, can interplay into creating impactful Public Relations campaigns.

     

    GolinHarris head of digital for Asia Simon Ruparelia said, “Many of our clients across Asia have embraced the concept of real time marketing and embedded it within their marketing plans. We have successfully applied The Bridge processes across a range of industries from FMCG to the automotive sector and it is a great example of innovation that we are bringing to clients in India. Our clients here will benefit from our experience of running this network of real time engagement centres around the region and the world from New York to Shanghai.”

     

    GolinHarris was the first agency globally to launch the concept, which is present in 13 locations, including Chicago, London and Shanghai. Mumbai is the latest bridge in Asia and latest addition to Golin Harris’ global network of Bridges.

     

    The Bridge is designed to meet the changing needs of clients who are constantly looking to better market their products and services and make them relevant with an evolving customer. It will provide better insight, improve delivery outcomes for clients and provide real-time information to clients.

     

     LinOpinion GH and Lowe Lintas and Partners executive director Ameer Ismail said, “We are excited to introduce this valuable tool that helps clients across different industries to manage their online reputation effectively. I believe the time has come to accept new realities in PR and The Bridge is an integral way in which agencies and clients can weave in real time insights into their communications efforts. The impact and use can be far beyond our PR agency clients and could also work for clients within our Group.”

     

    The Bridge can work independently for a country specific exercise or in tandem with other global hubs on campaigns, large events or even crises that require real time impact.  In India this setup will focus on helping brands engage their customers in real time as well as managing their online reputation. It will be run by dedicated staff from the LinOpinion GH g4 model; specialists who focus on media relations, analytics or consumer platforms both online and offline.

     

    In addition to launching The Bridge, LinOpinion GH also unveiled their new office located in Lower Parel, Mumbai. The new office features an international look and feel that brings out GolinHarris’ G4 work model. The contemporary workplace also has spaces for creative discussions, video conferencing and other amenities to create a productive work environment.