ITV

Tag: public affairs

  • India’s internet lobby gets new chiefs to shepherd digital policy

    India’s internet lobby gets new chiefs to shepherd digital policy

    MUMBAI: India’s Internet and Mobile Association (IAMAI) has shuffled the deck at the top of its influential public policy committee, installing fresh leadership to guide the country’s booming digital sector through an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.

    Amazon Web Services India & South Asia head of digital and AI policy  Saurabh Singh, has been elected chairperson of the committee that shapes industry positions on everything from data governance to consumer protection. He replaces Vineeta Dixit of Spotify, who had steered the group through a period of rapid regulatory change.

    Joining Singh as co-chairs are ride-hailing firm Rapido general counsel and head of corporate affairs & public policy Manasvi Mann, and Swedish caller-identification app Truecaller head of public affairs Seema Jindal. They take over from Senthil Kumar of agritech startup Ninjacart and Richa Mukherjee of fintech firm PayU.

    The reshuffle comes as India’s digital economy hurtles towards the government’s ambitious target of reaching $1trillion in value. The IAMAI committee serves as the industry’s primary voice in policy discussions with New Delhi, weighing in on thorny issues like data localisation rules, platform liability and digital competition.

    “Our focus will be on addressing critical digital policy matters that are relevant to our members whilst the ultimate goal would be to contribute to the national vision of building a $1 trillion digital economy,” Singh said following his appointment.

    The new leadership takes charge at a pivotal moment. India’s tech sector faces mounting scrutiny over market dominance, data privacy and content moderation—issues that will require deft navigation of both domestic political pressures and global regulatory trends.

    Jindal emphasised the need for industry-government collaboration to build “a safe and inclusive digital ecosystem” as India positions itself as a global digital leader. Her appointment brings telecoms expertise to a committee increasingly grappling with infrastructure and connectivity challenges.

    The leadership change reflects IAMAI’s evolution from a relatively niche trade body to a powerful lobbying force representing hundreds of companies across India’s sprawling digital economy. As regulatory battles intensify, the new team will need to balance member interests whilst maintaining credibility with policymakers in the world’s most populous democracy.

  • H+K India onboards Srinivas Vunnava as director of public affairs & gov relations

    H+K India onboards Srinivas Vunnava as director of public affairs & gov relations

    Mumbai: Public relations firm Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K) has strengthened its leadership in India by appointing Srinivas (Srini) Vunnava as director of public affairs and government relations.

    With over 15 years of experience, Vunnava brings in-depth expertise within the intersection of market research & insights, data analytics, strategy consulting, advocacy, public policy, and building strategic partnerships and alliances.

    Working closely with H+K India CEO Abhishek Gulyani, Vunnava will lead the domestic public affairs and government relations practice and build on H+K’s integrated communications expertise to help clients manage potential legislative, regulatory, and public policy dynamics in India, said the firm in a statement. “He will drive the growth of the practice through innovative policy advocacy, research and enterprise sustainability service offerings,” it added.

    “Srini’s extensive experience with leading corporates as well as central and state government departments, multilateral and bilateral agencies, and policy think tanks adds strategic value and contributes immensely to our India growth story,” said Abhishek Gulyani.

    Prior to joining H+K, Vunnava was SAĆIT Research and Consulting’s co-founder and managing director and he has previously worked with organisations including IQVIA Public Health Consulting, Deloitte Consulting, Novartis, KPMG, Piramal Swasthya, and Dr Reddy’s Foundation on multiregional assignments. Throughout his career, Srini has guided reputed entities to manage high stakes business implications due to critical legal, regulatory and political developments, and advised corporates to redefine market access strategies, corporate social responsibility initiatives and enterprise sustainability with a strong emphasis on social return on investment.

    The addition of Srinivas Vunnava follows an acceleration of high-profile hires as H+K India continues its growth agenda with recent senior appointments includingRitika Jauhari as Healthcare Practice Lead, and Shubhreet Kaur as Director of Creative Services.

    Commenting on the new role, Srinivas Vunnava, Director, Public Affairs and Government Relations, Hill+Knowlton Strategies India, said, “I am very excited to be joining H+K India at a time when India is amidst systemic transformation. Businesses, especially foreign-owned entities are seeking a trusted partner to help them mitigate risk, build reputation, and accelerate growth. I look forward to leveraging my experience andH+K’s impressive expertise to enhance clients’ business outcomes through an integrated communications and public affairs approach.”

  • Huhtamaki India appoints Neha Phale as head of public affairs

    Huhtamaki India appoints Neha Phale as head of public affairs

    Mumbai: Huhtamaki India Ltd has announced the appointment of Neha Phale as head of public affairs and member of the leadership team at Flexible Packaging India.

    In this role, Phale will support the delivery of Huhtamaki’s 2030 growth strategy and the positioning of the company as a leading manufacturer of sustainable packaging solutions in India. As part of this, she is responsible for stakeholder communications and developing partnerships with key stakeholders working towards delivering sustainable packaging solutions and managing public affairs issues, said the company in a statement.

    Phale has over 15 years of experience in communications and public affairs. She joins Huhtamaki from Welspun India Ltd where she was responsible for shaping the company’s overall communication strategy as well as creating and managing relationships between internal and external stakeholders. Prior to this, Phale held senior communications and public affairs roles at Huntsman International and Dow Chemical.

    Welcoming Phale on board, Huhtamaki India’s MD Sudip Mall said, “Neha brings with her sound experience of B2B communications that will benefit us, as we engage with stakeholders to protect food, people and the planet. Huhtamaki, in conjunction with others, has an important role in providing sustainable packaging solutions in India which help drive towards a circular economy and we look to Neha to work with key stakeholders and spearhead our public affairs agenda to support the organization’s larger purpose.”

    Speaking about her appointment, Phale said, “I am delighted to join a company that is focused on delivering benefits to society and am excited to be part of the next growth phase of the company in India.”

  • Devyani Rajya Laxmi Rana joins Coca-Cola India’s leadership team

    Devyani Rajya Laxmi Rana joins Coca-Cola India’s leadership team

    New Delhi: Coca-Cola on Thursday strengthened its leadership team and appointed Devyani Rajya Laxmi Rana, as vice president Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability for India and Southwest Asia.

    Formerly, Devyani was director of Public Affairs for India, Nepal, Bhutan for Caterpillar India, leading Caterpillar and its subsidiaries’ work in government/corporate affairs, public relations and communications, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability for the region. Before that, she led portfolios with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and United Nations (UN) in India, as well as The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, Geneva, Switzerland World Economic Forum (WEF).

    She has over 25 years of work experience in government and corporate affairs, strategic business advocacy, risk management, communications, CSR, and sustainability.

    Coca-Cola, president, India, and Southwest Asia, Sanket Ray said, “I am delighted to welcome Devyani on this exciting charter to deepen Coca-Cola’s engagement in the region as she joins the leadership team to spearhead the practice in the region. Devyani brings a wealth of experience in advocating for policies, legislation, trade agreements, and regulations. Her contributions will augment our belief in our purpose even stronger and serve as an acceleration of the work that was already underway.”

    Devyani has successfully developed effective strategies focused on maximizing impact in the region on infrastructure, environmental, social and governance, and trade, resulting in business profitability, increased footprint, and expanded manufacturing operations for domestic and export markets, said the company in a statement. Apart from that, she has also led advocacy, internal, external, and brand communications initiatives that have delivered positive business outcomes and contributed to the engagement of the organizations and teams she served.

    An alumnus of London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), London, Devyani holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur in Nepal and a Bachelor of Arts, (Hons.) in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India.

  • Genesis Burson-Marsteller Announces Marketing & Talent Leadership Developments

    Genesis Burson-Marsteller Announces Marketing & Talent Leadership Developments

    GURGOAN: Genesis Burson-Marsteller, leader in integrated communications, specializing in public relations, public affairs, corporate responsibility, crisis communications and digital marketing, has announced the appointment of Deepshikha Dharmaraj, in a new leadership role, as Chief Marketing and Growth Initiatives Officer and Kavita Rao, joins the firm as Chief Talent Engagement Officer.

     

    A seasoned communications professional, Deepshikha Dharmaraj, who has been with the firm for 19 years, will focus on Genesis B-M’s Marketing and Growth Initiatives, which include new business development, partnerships, external communication and thought leadership in the industry. She will also continue to oversee the Genesis B-M Learning School, which is a one of its kind in the PR industry.

     

    An alumnus, Kavita Rao returns to Genesis Burson-Marsteller to lead the Talent function. Kavita has over 19 years of experience and until recently, she was the Global Head of Communications at HSBC Technology & Services where she spent close to nine years leading the development and deployment of the Communication strategy across multiple geographies. Kavita played a key role in the integration of the bank focusing on Change and Transformation Communication to support the priorities and achievement of HSBC’s changing business imperatives As Chief Talent Engagement Officer, Kavita will be responsible for developing and driving the People Strategy to attract, develop and maximize potential of the talent across the firm She will also provide strategic counsel to clients on internal communication campaigns, leveraging the experience she has gained in this area over the last decade. Speaking on her return to the firm, Kavita said, “Genesis Burson-Marsteller is a firm that puts its people at the heart of its strategy which is the key reason our people like to stay and grow with us, as well as have Alumni return to us as I have done. It’s wonderful to be back and I’m looking forward to contributing to the future growth of the organization.”

     

    Speaking on these appointments, Prema Sagar, Principal and Founder, Genesis Burson-Marsteller said, “At Genesis Burson-Marsteller, we are committed to investing in exceptional quality talent and by appointing Deepshikha and Kavita in their new roles, we are strengthening our Marketing and Talent functions. This will further accelerate our continuing growth story. Kavita’s vast experience will bolster our talent-building efforts, while with her experience and understanding of the communications industry in India, I believe Deepshikha is the right person to deliver the marketing and growth strategy for the firm.”

     

    Nikhil Dey, President, Public Relations said “Sheena Sharma, Chief Client Studio and Corporate Responsibility Officer who has spent over 19 years in the firm will focus and lead all executive communication trainings for our clients and the firm while she continues to be Mentor South. Kriti Makhija, Chief Financial and Compliance Officer, who has spent over 10 years at Genesis Burson-Marsteller ensures the financial health, compliance, governance and IT infrastructure of our business. We continue to grow and augment the backbone of the organization to reinforce the clients business.”

  • Genesis Burson-Marsteller and WordsWork Announce Strategic Partnership

    Genesis Burson-Marsteller and WordsWork Announce Strategic Partnership

    New Delhi:- Genesis Burson-Marsteller (GBM), leader in integrated communications, specializing in public relations, public affairs, crisis communications and digital marketing, today announced its strategic partnership with WordsWork, a young specialty communications advisory firm. Headquartered in New Delhi, WordsWork will now become one of the preferred partner’s in Genesis Burson-Marsteller’s integrated communications and public relations services.

    This partnership illustrates GB-M’s commitment to strengthening its expertise in the Sports and Luxury sectors. Both companies will now combine their individual strengths of in-depth knowledge, network and experience to offer a compelling solution to existing and upcoming sports and luxury clients in India.

    Speaking on the occasion, Prema Sagar, Principal & Founder of Genesis Burson-Marsteller said, “It’s a delight to be working with a young and dynamic firm that defines itself so well in the sports and luxury communications space. The segment is niche and growing, and our joint focus will be to leverage their expertise with the scale of execution and pan-India network that Genesis Burson-Marsteller can provide. This partnership is mutually beneficial and both Genesis B-M and WordsWork’s clients can take advantage of our collective expertise and creative capabilities.”

    Commenting on the development, Neha Mathur Rastogi, Founder, WordsWork said “We are very proud to be chosen as preferred partners of one of India’s most respected strategic integrated communication consultancies. Together with Genesis B-M’s global resources and our shared passion for the art of communication, we will bring reach, scale, and a wide range of integrated services for our clients adding much needed value to these sunrise sectors.”

    Founded by Neha Mathur Rastogi in 2009, WordsWork has over the years specialized in sports and lifestyle & luxury sectors, providing a full range of communication services with an emphasis on public relations, content marketing and event management. Key clients to showcase this strength include IWC Watches, FIH (International Hockey Federation); Laureus World Sports foundation among many others.