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RFP Must-Dos for Brand Teams: Crafting Proposals that Drive Results
Everybody I know needs what I‘m selling – Calvin (Calvin & Hobbes) Yes Calvin, that’s true but how do you let everyone believe you have what they need? That’s where PR comes into play. And how do you get the best partner for your communication needs – why yes you release an RFP. Let’s start by understanding what is an RFP. An RFP or Request For Proposal is a process and document needed to get bids for potential business requirements. It’s not unique to the PR industry and should typically outline a statement of requirements including but not limited to brand objectives, solutions sought, commercials and process details. But creating…
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Public Affairs: Building Business Resilience
Through Policy Navigation, Stakeholder Engagement, and Ethical Communication Through the resolution of policy challenges, unfavourable business environments, and stakeholder-related business risks, public affairs serves as a strategic function that guarantees business resilience—the organizational capacity to withstand unforeseen business shocks. Public affairs is crucial for firms negotiating the complex web of laws, administrative procedures, and public opinion. Public affairs integrate the following key components: Government Relations: This involves engaging with government officials and regulatory agencies to influence or align with policy decisions. Activities include giving representations to the government be it nodal ministry or regulator. Media Communications: Managing an organization’s public image through various media channels is crucial. This includes crafting…
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From One-Off Fixer to Trusted Advisor: Building Lasting Influence for PR
Many PR professionals dream of having a seat at the board table. It signifies a level of influence, an opportunity to shape strategy, and a chance to truly make a difference for the organization. But securing that coveted seat is just the first step. The real challenge lies in proving your worth and solidifying your position as a trusted advisor and strategic partner at the table, not just a purveyor of press releases. In this blog I have attempted to delve into the evolving landscape of PR and help equip us, the PR professionals, with the essential skills and strategies to not only earn your place at the table but…
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Should we define a new PR JD?
It’s 2024, a new year with a new outlook and a lot has changed in terms of approach, audience, mandates, and expectations. Today, PR is not just about storytelling or managing media, but it is pretty much defining and establishing narratives, it is the heart and center of a campaign. Expectations are no longer restricted to brand awareness but slowly have gone towards generating effective ROI, especially with the lines of marketing and PR being blurred now. Add to this, technology and digital disruption, inflation, talent and skillset challenges there is a massive shift being seen which has revived our profession. Does this mean our profiles have changed? Is it…
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Wizikey and PRPOI unveil the 2023 edition of the “State of PR and Comms” Report
Building Trust and Credibility remains the most important function in PR PR and Comms still has major priority for brands pipping even social media Mumbai, 7 Feb 2023: It’s finally out – the latest survey on the Public Relations and Communications Industry, powered by Wizikey, the SAAS and AI-powered global media monitoring and intelligence company, and PRPOI, the award-winning platform for upskilling in Public Relations. A complete guide to the state of an industry that has bucked a pandemic and continues to grow despite economic uncertainties and downturns. The survey was held across a set of 207 respondents across entry, mid, and CXO levels in the communication industry, independent agencies,…
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2022 to be the ‘ Year of Redefining PR industry’ What changes can we expect?
Seeking learnings from the very tough year of 2020, the PR industry was seen to bring in a renewed focus for itself in the year 2021 and this holds true both at the agency and corporate communications levels. Thanks to the exceptional talent and perseverance, new-age businesses to traditional corporates, hired communications specialist agencies, Head of PR/Comms as well as expanded teams and budgets, proving the fact that communications was slowly yet subtly turning as a powerful enabler for India Inc. As the world dabbles between hybrid worklife, lockdowns, and restrictions, here’s our prediction on what can be expected from the PR industry in redefining itself. Narratives to take centre…
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5 things you must know if you want to work with a PR boutique firms
As a young aspiring PR professional, I thought getting into PR would be glamorous lots of parties, networking, and more. It wasn’t! There were a lot of things I learnt along the way. The best teacher for me has been experience; I’ve dealt with bosses from hell, clients who never budge on their actions, or their budgets! Media, that’s been tough to crack and extremely difficult and demanding. Text books, courses, and classrooms can teach you theory, but real PR practice comes when you’re in the field actually working, networking and it isn’t always glamorous!To someone who would love to work in PR- here are a few things you should…
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Telling the Environmental, Social, and Governance narrative, authentically.
Disclaimer: I do not claim to be an expert on ESG. But having been involved in the preparation of a report, the learning curve has been steep and has me deeply interested. Sharing some of my views and I hope they resonate with you. As a real-life story goes, the CFO of a listed entity flew down 4000+ miles to London (of course pre-covid) to meet an investor. Armed with a robust business plan, there was not an iota of doubt of the deal coming through. Cut to breakfast in London, there was confidence and crispness in the air, perfect weather, and tea for company, when the potential investor walked…
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Motherhood gifts us with the art of storytelling!
Being selfless for a lifetime, never missing a single meal, constantly teaching and learning and yet all we relish in return is a huge bear hug and those simple words – I love you mom! Yes, having written so much around motherhood previously, how could I miss an opportunity on “Mother’s Day”! Right now, I’m counting 4 blessings – My favourite teacher, my son Shlok; my truest pillar of strength, my Mom; the love that I could get from both my (late) grandmothers and the motherhood that my (late) ‘mother-in-law’ showered on me. All these women, and my son, have played brilliant roles in helping me stay strong, each day.…
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PR Lessons on How Not to Handle a Pandemic
This is not a political blogpost, but a one written out of purely professional interest! As a PR Professional I have currently seen a slew of negative press, social media memes and general frustration with the way India’s monster second wave is being handled. It’s been a lesson for any well honed PR Person on ‘How Not to Handle Public Perception’. So here are my two bits on how this reputation management disaster can be addressed. Communicate: People want to know that the people in charge are doing something! In a time of panic, people want to know that there is someone at the helm of affairs, taking change and…
