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Tag: public relations

  • Kaizzen bags communication and digital marketing mandate for LNJ Bhilwara Kings

    Kaizzen bags communication and digital marketing mandate for LNJ Bhilwara Kings

    Mumbai: Kaizzen has bagged the public relations mandate for Bhilwara Kings, the franchise team of eminent business house, the LNJ Bhilwara Group, for the upcoming Legends League Cricket.

    As the strategic communications partner, the agency has been entrusted with the responsibility of promoting the LNJ Bhilwara Kings and helping the team connect with various stakeholders of the LNJ Bhilwara Group.

    On the association, LNJ Bhilwara Kings team owner Riju Jhunjhunwala said, “Kaizzen leads the way in this domain and we at LNJ Bhilwara could not have found a better partner to handle our communications mandate. We are happy and confident that Kaizzen will help in building the brand’s stature to greater heights.”

    After winning the PR rights of the Bhilwara Kings at Legends League Cricket season 2, Kaizzen founder and chief executive officer Vineet Handa said, “We at Kaizzen are elated to be entrusted by LNJ Bhilwara Group to handle its communication mandate for the Bhilwara Kings at the Legends League Cricket to enrich the corporate image of the group. The vision and priorities of the group are quite clear, and our team is pumped up to work in close coordination with the brand to reach its goal by delivering creative, impactful, and disruptive PR solutions. We are looking forward to a strong partnership.”

  • Alice Blue hand over its PR duties to Wing Communications

    Alice Blue hand over its PR duties to Wing Communications

    Mumbai: Hyderabad-based digital, PR, and social media agency Wing Communications has bagged the PR mandate for discount brokerage company Alice Blue.

    Wing Communications will be in charge of developing strategy-driven PR activities along with media duties for the brand. The aim of the partnership is to highlight Alice Blue as the best customer-preferred financial enabler and reliable partner in the industry, with extensive experience throughout a variety of economic cycles.

    Alice Blue CEO and managing director Sidhavelayutham M said, “Wing Communications, being the communication bridge between the speakers, delegates, and the media, has a firm grasp in the PR space. That’s why it will play a pivotal role in placing Alice Blue in the highlights of the domain. Overall, it’s a synergistic partnership. Alice Blue has its stronghold in the stock broker sector, whereas Wing Communications is a medium that makes it reach the masses. Together, both firms can leverage each other’s expertise to help customers get the right solution they require.”

    Wing Communications CEO and co-founder Shiva Bhavani added, “Alice Blue is one of India’s leading preferred stock brokers and we are confident that with our PR team expertise, we will be able to position the brand for maximum impact. In this collaboration, we will be executing creative, disruptive, and seamlessly driven impactful PR campaigns that will help in driving more proactive and personalised financial communication that will guide customers and improve overall outcomes.”

  • PRCAI’s Deeptie Sethi emphasises PR industry’s need to upskill

    PRCAI’s Deeptie Sethi emphasises PR industry’s need to upskill

    NEW DELHI: The PR and communications industry is doing very well thank you. That’s the view of The Public Relations Consultants Association of India (PRCAI) CEO Deeptie Sethi. The former Ford India communications boss who was brought into lead the professional organisation after stints in the US expects the spin doctoring business to grow at a healthy 12 percent year on year and she estimates it to cross Rs 2,000 crore in the not too distant future.

    “It has been growing  rapidly and is almost back to pre-pandemic levels,”  she says with a big smile.

    Sethi has brought in a new drive into the PRCAI, organising workshops, training masterclasses, keeping in mind the demands that clients are dishing out in a complex world consisting  of newspapers, whatsapp, digital media print and video outlets, TV channels, social media influencers, bloggers, fake news, podcasters, paid media, earned media, short video platforms  and what have you. 

    “There was a time when all you had to do was draw up the right communications strategy and reach out to ensure print and TV channel journos got the right brand message through the dissemination of releases,” she explains. “But today you have several options and the responsibility of a communication professional has multiplied manifold. There is a high level of penetration of mobiles, and you know, millennials, the way they are absorbing content. Today, we are overloaded with information. Upskilling and sharpening existing skillsets are the order of the day. We listen, we learn, we educate, and we practise.”

    Towards this end, the PRCAI  has conducted a three month programme called ‘Writing Pen Upskilling’ which helps professionals to learn new techniques of writing and helps them visualize a story from the journalist’s and writer’s perspective.   “We had a batch of 41 PR people. Practitioners from 10 consultancies came forward and nominated their people, ” she reveals, adding that another upskilling programme is on the anvil.

    According to her, the manner in which communications messages are being delivered has transformed with digitisation. Currently, the audience consumes messages according to their taste and requirements. And it is quick to voice its opinion and ire against brands to their followers on social media. Hence, crafting the right communications strategy targeting the right audience and tracking its impact is becoming even more challenging.  

    “Performance marketing and influencer marketing are about having the right skills but public relations and communications is all about that trust and authenticity. We have that higher responsibility to make sure we are communicating the right story,” she highlights.

    Sethi cautions that  brands cannot be built in one day. “It is a consistent effort to put the message across to the audience and build credibility in the market. Defining a clear objective is imperative to achieve the right result. The problem is that people are unable to set a clear objective and what they would like to achieve from promotion or marketing.” she explains.

    The industry is focusing on bringing in research-oriented communication expertise and specialisation, which help to identify different trends and customise effective communication strategies.

    “Today, a lot of research is happening in our communication industry, from using data accurately, to learning and improving skills,” Sethi says. “Artificial intelligence, machine learning and automation are all the rage. It is something that agencies, consultancies and  brands are looking to adopt. It is important to figure out where the gaps are and how we can work together and overcome them. Through this the industry is also solving customer’s problems – a skill that is much-needed at this hour.”

    Sethi is optimistic about the growth of the PR and communication industry in 2022. However, she is concerned about the macro challenges that the country is facing currently, with rising inflationary pressures, a weak rupee, and economic uncertainty.

    “If economic slowdown and recession come, budgets will be impacted, thereby, various other things will be affected. We can also be impacted, so we need to be cautious in our approach,” she predicts.

    Wise words from a seasoned veteran.

     

  • PRCAI launches first edition of PRologue on completing 20 years

    PRCAI launches first edition of PRologue on completing 20 years

    Mumbai: The most influential PR professional body, Public Relations Consultants Association of India (PRCAI) celebrated two decades of leadership on Thursday.

    Marking the occasion, the communication body has unveild it’s new brand identity, felicitated AIPR winners and launched first edition of a much neeeed PR dialogue ‘PRologue’.

    PRCAI PRologue bringing together leaders from the communications industry under one roof to charter the future of the PR industry, taking it into a new era of Interverse of Communications 3.0.

    The first edition of PRCAI PRologue included a surfeit of influencers, industry experts, opinion leaders representing diverse companies, brands & start-ups to discuss the course of new age communications.

    PRCAI PRologue captured the pulse of new trends such as ‘Tech-ing It to the futureverse’, ‘Weaving trends with zillenials’ and ‘Re-powering ethics in communications’ through a day-long conference.

    PRCAI PRologue presented an extraordinary forum with a diverse and exemplary list of guests & panelists from renowned companies, including a keynote address by MG Motor India’s president & managing director Rajeev Chaba, and SHEROES founder Sairee Chahal.

    The speakers came from all across the country to contribute to compelling ideas and thoughts.   

     Sharing his enthralling thoughts on the occasion, PRCAI president Atul Sharma said, “PRCAI is constantly striving to create a more professional, ethical, and prosperous PR industry. In the past year through various initiatives, we have been able to bring the industry together, push our learning and development initiatives and also evangelise the profession across quarters, and the results are nothing short of remarkable. I am delighted with the focus and vision that the new team has brought to life.”

    PRCAI CEO Deeptie Sethi said, “PRCAI as an entity is reinventing itself and driving relevance for our audiences and stakeholders who are both impacting and impacted by our highly skilled industry. The launch of PRCAI Prologue, new collaborations, research driven insights are a true reflection of our new brand identity that is will take it’s members, practitioner, academicians together to #influencingPRogress into the new era of Communications leadership.” 

  • Adgcraft becomes PR partner of Mega Expo 2022

    Adgcraft becomes PR partner of Mega Expo 2022

    Mumbai: The leading exhibition company, Ace Exhibitions, has handed over its PR mandate to Adgcraft for it’s upcoming international event, ‘The India Industrial Manufacturing Mega Expo and Mega Green Vehicle & Smart Mobility Show.’

    Mega Expo 2022 as an international platform covers outspread shows across the manufacturing ecosystem which will be handled under the banner of Adgcraft and their supervision.

    As a part of the mandate, Adgcraft will be the official PR partner for the nationwide event Mega Expo 2022 with the remarks of aiding strategic solutions for communications management and proposing ideas for the betterment of this exhibition as well. Adgcraft as a communication agency is amenable to presenting brand broadening, solutions for unanticipated situations, and magnifying the organization’s position.

    The event will take place on 7 to 9 September at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, where eminent industrial exhibitors, as well as business buyers, would be present. On this platform, the prominent industry leaders will showcase their latest products, innovations, and future technologies in the view of the general public.

    Speaking on the association, ACE exhibition business head Anupreet Singh Jaggi said, “This country requires a boost for the MSME sector, and we hope to contribute to India’s growing MSME industry through this exhibition, and having Adgcraft as a communication partner for Mega Expo 2022 will help us achieve that goal more efficiently.”

    With a warm judgment, Adgcraft managing director Abhinay Kumar Singh said, “MSME is a sector that is always growing but also requires everyone’s attention; I applaud ACE Exhibitions and Anupreet Singh for doing such amazing work to help this sector. The Adgcraft family is very excited to share the best media approaches for Ace Exhibitions Mega Expo 2022.”

  • Madison Public Relations names Abhinav Srivastava as CEO

    Madison Public Relations names Abhinav Srivastava as CEO

    Mumbai: Madison PR, a unit of Madison World, has announced the appointment of Abhinav Krishna Srivastava as its chief executive officer. He will be based in the agency’s Mumbai office.

    With over 21 years of experience, Srivastava is an expert in internal and external communications covering public relations, public affairs/advocacy, digital, advertising and integrated marketing campaigns, according to the agency.

    He also comes with enriched experience of stakeholder engagement, CSR, financial & investor relations, crisis management and media training. He has led integrated marketing and communications strategies across sectors like consumer, lifestyle,  food, pharma & healthcare, technology, telecom, energy, infrastructure, finance & banking, aviation, automobile, realty, retail and hospitality. Having worked with some of the world’s most respected brands, he has experience with multiple consumer market mechanisms and managing complex corporate reputation programs for businesses.

    Prior to joining Madison PR, he spent almost two years working at SPAG Asia and D Yellow Elephant as chief operating officer. Aside from SPG Group, he has been part of leadership teams at Avian WE, Edelman India, Comma Consulting and Rediffusion DYR.

    Madison World chairman Sam Balsara said, “I am delighted to have Abhinav lead our very capable and experienced Madison PR team as CEO. Am sure he will take Madison PR to new heights and will add a lot of value to our client’s business.”

    On joining Madison and commencing his new role, Srivastava said, “I’m beyond excited to join Madison Public Relations and be a part of such a respected, mission-driven team of India’s leading homegrown agency group. I look forward to developing our business by building on established clients and finding new opportunities for growth. As the communications domain has got revamped in the past two years, I believe Madison’s might and my multi sectoral experience will help us expand our growth horizon and get into the big league!”

  • Advent PR gets Kanodia Cement’s PR mandate

    Advent PR gets Kanodia Cement’s PR mandate

    Mumbai: Advent Public Relations has bagged the communication mandate for Kanodia Cement. As a part of this partnership, the PR agency will be in charge of planning, implementing, and managing the strategic & creative solutions of the company.

    As a part of the mandate, Advent PR will focus on expanding and facilitating market engagement via print, digital media and establishing media presence. This association will strategically widen the awareness of the group and penetrate Kanodia’s reach to its potential audience in both the micro and macro markets.

    Kanodia Cement is one of India’s pioneers in the cement industry and building material trading, known for its hassle-free home-building solutions. It is one of the fastest-growing cement manufacturers in the Northern, Eastern and Central regions. Its key product offerings which are tailor-made to suit the Indian climatic conditions, and aim to make its customers available with all kinds of cement, have helped Kanodia cement emerge as one of the most trusted cement brands in India.

    Highlighting his views on the recent collaboration, Kanodia Cement’s managing director Vishal Kanodia asserted, “Kanodia cement over the years has become a trusted brand name with its customers but with our aggressive expansion plans going forward, we were looking to work with a PR agency, who with the help of their in-depth knowledge on the industry, could use their expertise, to deliver us the package of integrated communication solutions, in-line with our brand vision and help us connect with our diverse customers across different platforms.”

    “We wanted someone who could guide us on the right way to enhance the brand image of Kanodia and Advent PR met the criteria. We are confident that they will position our messages accurately,” he added,

    Adding to it, Advent Public Relations director Kheman Kumar said, “We are thrilled to announce that we have been chosen as the potential PR and brand communications agency for Kanodia cement.”

    Kumar also added, “We strive to deliver the best for our clients and we are confident that as their trusted communication partners we can support them in their vision and help them meet their goals. We are looking forward to starting our work on Kanodia cement to help them build and achieve the objective to upscale its business.”

  • GUEST COLUMN: How has the PR ecosystem evolved over time

    GUEST COLUMN: How has the PR ecosystem evolved over time

    Mumbai: It is no secret that the public relations (PR) landscape has been steadfastly evolving over the past decade, thanks to the advent of digital media and the boom in the tech space.

    However, the conversations surrounding PR and its evolution often tend to be dichotomous in nature, pitting the old guard i.e. traditional PR against digital PR. In reality, both these systems are poised to work in a syncretic manner, with the traditional model supplementing the advances made by digital PR.

    How has the PR ecosystem evolved over time?

    The internet has created an almost borderless media and this has led to the birth of the concept of integrated communications. In essence, the Integrated model espouses leveraging all platforms, traditional and online, to ensure that a brand’s message is delivered to the intended target audience.

    PR agencies have thus had to move away from pure media relations to a more holistic model of communication strategy that is driven by multi-channel quality content. Gone are the days when pulling in a favour with a journalist for a CEO’s profile would suffice. In the wake of the blurring of lines between public relations, advertising, marketing, online and offline media, PR agencies are now being looked at as strategic partners to their clients. PR professionals today are thus tasked with creating meaningful messaging and communication strategies that appeal to clients, analysts, investors and journalists alike.

    There are myriad of changes that are being brought about by the advent of digital tech in PR. Some are more prominent than others and thus deserve to be looked at in-depth.

    Influencer Outreach: After an initial bout of resistance, when this was touted as a fleeting millennial trend, social media influencers have now become an integral part of PR strategies. This is because most brands and agencies have realised the value that influencers hold and the immense sway they have with their followers. Influencers resonate deeply with a specific sector and this can help brands boost visibility and popularity by being able to reach their target audience. It also helps a brand to garner credibility as influencers are able to build trust among audiences.

    Performance and Result Oriented Goals: PR agencies can no longer rely on traditional currencies such as goodwill and trust. Digital media has ushered in the era of real-time trend monitoring and brands can now stay in touch with their consumers through social listening.

    This means that it is possible for brands to have accurate performance metrics and develop a keen sense of what works and the changes that need to be made. And most importantly, data gathering and analysis can now lead to valuable insights and more informed decision-making processes. Companies and their brand solution agencies are thus capable of having their ear to the ground and knowing how the market reacts to their product/service and what consumers are thinking.

    Deeper Impact: Now more than ever before, PR professionals are expected to take into account a multiplicity of factors. Brands and companies don’t just have to be good for consumers, but they also have to be attuned to cultural sensitivities and be beneficial for the environment. Media messaging thus needs to be able to demonstrate true purpose and reflect good intention on behalf of a brand in order to garner the goodwill and trust of the consumers.

    As newer industries and verticals such as healthcare and fintech continue to emerge, PR is set to become an essential arm when it comes to strategic communication. And contrary to popular discourse, traditional PR won’t disappear altogether. In fact, it will just be merged and supplemented with newer digital forward models. The future of PR is thus vibrant but also daunting, and those who are hesitant to pivot to adapt to this new order, risk stagnation or worse.

    (Akshaara Lalwani is the founder & CEO of Communicate India. The views expressed in the column are personal and Indiantelevision.com may not subscribe to them.)