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Tag: Srishti Sharma

  • Singla’s signal boost as he steps up as ICCO Nextgen global co-chair

    Singla’s signal boost as he steps up as ICCO Nextgen global co-chair

    MUMBAI: From ESG charts to PR smarts, Aditya Vasan Singla is making waves worldwide. Aditya Vasan Singla, principal at Astrum, has been appointed co-chair of the 2025 ICCO Nextgen Board, a dynamic initiative by the International Communications Consultancy Organisation to empower young communications professionals and future-proof the industry. The announcement was made on 12 March 2025, marking a new milestone in Singla’s global leadership journey in strategic communications.

    Joining forces with Karishma Hingorani (Middle East Public Relations Association – MEPRA), Singla will lead the diverse and global Nextgen board. The newly formed cohort includes Srishti Sharma (India), Rumyana Tancheva (Bulgaria), and Zahra Zakriya (UAE), reflecting ICCO’s strong focus on cross-border collaboration and peer innovation.

    ” I feel privileged to be offered this opportunity to collaborate with some of the brightest minds across the globe to aid the development of the NextGen talent and best practices for the global public relations industry. I believe it is crucial for us to collaborate and co-create solutions that push our industry forward, ensuring we are future ready and resilient.” said ICCO Nextgen Board co-chair Aditya Vasan Singla.

    Astrum founding managing partner Ashwani Singla. “ICCO’s focus on the Nextgen talent is a step in the right direction to fuel excellence and attract the brightest minds as practitioners of strategic communications. I am delighted that Aditya is contributing to advance this laudable objective.”

    The ICCO Nextgen Group is designed to attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent through research, knowledge-sharing, and real-world initiatives. As part of ICCO’s broader strategy, the board brings together emerging PR leaders to foster innovation and industry relevance in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

    Singla brings with him nearly a decade of experience in ESG and strategic communications. His resume spans major consultancies including PwC and ERM, where he steered multidisciplinary teams working with transnational giants across diverse sectors. His career kick-started in the Office of Cabinet Minister Piyush Goyal, where he was entrusted with political communications and policy research.

    An alumnus of the London School of Economics (MSc in Environmental Economics) and Aberdeen University (MA in Economics and Geography), Singla also happens to be a seasoned global traveller, making his perspective even more globally nuanced—a perfect fit for the ICCO NextGen board’s international ambitions.

    As the communications industry grapples with the demands of AI, authenticity, and shifting audience behaviours, ICCO’s move to place emerging leaders like Singla at the helm is a smart play because the future of PR isn’t just about messaging, it’s about mentorship, mission and momentum. 

  • ET Now Swadesh announces ‘Swarna Mahakumbh’ initiative

    ET Now Swadesh announces ‘Swarna Mahakumbh’ initiative

    Mumbai: Marking the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, ET NOW Swadesh, the leading Hindi Business News Channel, announces ‘Swarna Mahakumbh’, a first-of-its-kind initiative empowering viewers on gold investments. Airing on 10 May from 4pm – 7pm, the three-hour mega initiative, will feature 22 renowned industry experts and analysts engaging in dynamic discussions, offering their insights on various types of gold investments including gold exchange-traded fund (ETF), gold funds, gold bonds, gold derivatives, and methods and precautions of gold jewellery investments.

    Led by ET Now and ET Now Swadesh editor-in-chief Nikunj Dalmia along with a team of seasoned financial and business journalists including anchor & senior news analyst Vishwamohan Kumar, news editor Abhishek Satya Vratam, anchor, senior news editor Kavita Thapliyal, anchor, news analyst Srishti Sharma and seputy news editor Prashant Pandey.

    ‘Swarna Mahakumbh’ initiative entails the following segments:

    Is It The Right Time To Invest In Gold? (4pm – 5pm): This segment focuses on the rationale of investing in gold & its returns, analysing the current industry rates of gold. Panellists include industry leaders like Suvankar Sen (MD, Senco Gold & Diamonds), Vikram Dhawan (head of commodities & fund manager, Nippon India Mutual Fund), Jay Prakash Gupta (founder, Dhan and  o-founder, Raise Financial Services), Harshal Barot (senior consultant, Metals Focus Limited), Kishore Narne (director, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd) and Kirit Bhansali (vice chairman, Gem Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).

    Gold Investment Option (5pm – 5:30pm): This segment delves into intricacies of investment vehicles such as Gold bonds, Gold ETFs, digital Gold, physical Gold, and Gold Mutual Funds, offering valuable insights into each avenue’s potential and considerations. Esteemed panellists include Saiyam Mehra (chairman, All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council). Dr.Renisha Chainani (head of research, Augmont), Mahendra Luniya (chairman, Vighnaharta Gold Ltd), Harshal Barot (senior consultant, Metals Focus Ltd), Manoj Kumar Jha (MD, Kamakhya Jewels Pvt Ltd),

    The ABCD Of Gold Jewellery Shopping (5:30pm – 6:00pm): Featuring industry experts, this comprehensive segment is dedicated to all facets of jewellery investment. From navigating the options for investing in physical gold to essential tips and pitfalls to avoid, this session with panellists Saiyam Mehra (chairman, All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council), Ashish Pethe (partner, Waman Hari Pethe), Sabyasachi Ray (ED, Gem Jewellery Export Promotion Council) and Rajesh Rokde, (vice chairman, All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council) will serve as an invaluable guide for anyone considering a gold purchase.

    Gold F&O Classroom (6:00pm – 6:30pm): Step into the Gold F&O Classroom for a master class on navigating the intricacies of trading in gold Futures and Options (F&O) and the process of delivery through exchange. Panellists Shivanshu Mehta (Director, India International Bullion Exchange IFSC Ltd and Bullion Head, MCX), Anuj Gupta (Head of Commodities Research, HDFC Securities), Bhargava Vaidya (Proprietor, B.N. Vaidya & Associates) and Sunil Katke (Head Commodities Retail Business, Kotak Securities) will offer valuable insights on the gold derivatives market, to elevate the gold trading journey of viewers.

    Viewers Queries on Gold (6:30pm – 7:00pm): This interactive Q&A segment will empower discerning viewers of all ages and professions get simplified answers to their queries on the various avenues of gold investments. Panellists Ajay Kedia (founder, director of Kedia Advisory), Vandana Bharti (AVP, Commodity Research, SMC Global Securities Ltd), Anand Gupta (Haripriya Jewellers) and Ravindra Rao (commodity expert) will provide expert insights and guidance.

     

  • Aparna Thyagarajan drives investment boom in Jio Cinema’s ‘Indian Angels Show’

    Aparna Thyagarajan drives investment boom in Jio Cinema’s ‘Indian Angels Show’

    Mumbai: Renowned global angel investor Aparna Thyagarajan is making waves in the investment landscape with a record number of strategic investments in promising startups featured at Jio Cinema’s Indian Angels Show. Aparna has made investments with  eight entrepreneurial ventures, establishing her as the Angel with maximum investments including several promising women entrepreneurs

    As a seasoned investor across both US and India, Aparna’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting transformative visions is evident in her strategic backing of these ventures, solidifying her key role as an Indian Angel in shaping the trajectory of promising startups across the ecosystem.

    Talking about the investments, Shobitam co-founder & chief product officer  Aparna Thyagarajan said, “I am honored to be a strategic investor and partner for these exceptional entrepreneurs. My commitment goes beyond providing financial support. I believe in the transformative power of collaboration and mentorship, where I am excited to play a role in guiding these innovative startups toward their full potential and giving flight to businesses. Together, we will embark on a journey of growth, innovation, and success, shaping the future of these brands and contributing to the dynamism of the entrepreneurial landscape.”

    HappieCurves founder Sonal Somani said, “I am extremely happie to have someone as versatile and experienced as Aparna as my Golden Angel. It makes me feel proud that she believes in me and my vision, and with her guidance, we will scale to new heights. It will be a lot of fun to learn from her and work with her.”

    Habbits.in co-founder Prashant Chourasia said, Aparna’s decision to invest in Habbits marks a pivotal moment for us, and we are genuinely thrilled to have her on board. Her wealth of experience will help us navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and refine our strategic vision. The global potential for Habbits is enormous, and her insights into international markets, understanding of consumer trends, and network of connections will be crucial in establishing our presence across borders. Very much like her own venture Shobitam, we want to build for the world, from India”.

    We at Shakti wearables are super thrilled to onboard Aparna ma’am as our angel investor and mentor. Her expertise and leadership skills has done wonders for Shobitam and we are grateful for her support. Aparna ma’am not only liked our business but was also so connected to the vision and the cause at Shakti wearables which gets us more motivated and we look forward to work together with her to emerge bigger and better.” added, Shakti wearables founder Srishti Sharma.

    Aparna’s dedication extends beyond financial backing, as she champions women entrepreneurship. In addition to her investments, she has established the Shobitam Centre for Women Entrepreneurship at BITS Pilani, reflecting her commitment to nurturing and supporting women entrepreneurs.

    In a notable partnership, Aparna has collaborated with several of the Indian Angels in the show to jointly invest in many brands. This collaborative effort emphasizes her commitment to fostering innovation and achieving success within the startup ecosystem. Her involvement in the Jio Cinema’s Indian Angels Show not only highlights her prowess as a prolific investor but also showcases her role as a champion for inclusive and diverse entrepreneurship. Aparna’s visionary approach continues to inspire others to contribute to the growth and evolution of the global startup landscape.