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How Well Do You Know Your Client?
In the shadowy intersections of corporate ambition and public trust lies an uncomfortable truth that many PR agencies would rather not confront. The rush to onboard clients, driven by revenue targets and the allure of big names, often blinds agencies to the very dangers they are supposed to shield against. The industry’s silent compromise with due diligence has become its Achilles’ heel. For PR professionals, every new client is a promise to shape narratives, protect reputations, and build trust in a world that increasingly questions everything. But what happens when this promise is built on a foundation of ignorance? When agencies fail to ask hard questions about the companies they…
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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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The “Public” of Public Affairs and the Leaf from the Futurist’s Diary
As I pen these thoughts on July 13th, responding to Tarunjeet Rattan of PRPOI’s challenge to envision the prospects of Public Affairs practice, I draw upon my on-the-job learning and observations to paint a picture of what lies ahead. As I look ahead, once considered a niche segment within public relations, public affairs is poised to become a driving force in shaping the industry’s future. The growing emphasis on broader stakeholder engagement is at the heart of this evolution. In today’s interconnected and transparent world, organisations can no longer afford to operate in isolation or have a myopic view from their corner offices in the shining high towers’ glass facades.…
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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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Rise of consumer activism – PR boon or bane
In the digital era, the landscape of brand communication is evolving rapidly, with the emergence of influencer and consumer activism reshaping the dynamics of consumer-brand interactions. The recent controversy surrounding Bournvita, a popular powder supplement, exemplifies the significant influence wielded by social media influencers and the power of consumer activism in shaping brand perception and consumer behavior. In today’s digital age, characterized by widespread internet access and the ubiquity of smartphones, brands are facing unprecedented challenges in managing their reputation and navigating unforeseen controversies. Social media platforms serve as powerful amplifiers, capable of swiftly disseminating information and fueling public discourse. Against this backdrop, brands must prioritize robust crisis management strategies…
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Regret to inform that you are not shortlisted (After 18 rounds!)
Unreal or ridiculous? Am I exaggerating? Oh sorry, let me first set the context. If you happen to be on a job hunt, then the unending number of interview rounds, could actually overwhelm you. And now you think I’m trying to look for a shortcut from hardwork! Really, may I turn around the tables and say how incompetent are the hiring teams in decision-making? How can one humanly need beyond 5-7 rounds to make up their minds and evaluate the talent they intend to hire or not. Absolutely understand the need to evaluate talent across various functions, avoid any unconscious bias and ensure expectations are met, from various teams. Sometimes,…
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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…
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What does an internal audit at #PRPOI look like?
As we got all enthused and ecstatic on the first anniversary for the curated #SaturdayLive sessions, we just got thinking that this has been one helluva journey for all the founders, as well. No one knows it all, yes, we say that proudly even after being in the industry for a combined 6 six decades (all three of us put together). Probably that hunger to keep learning is what turned out to be our biggest challenge and motivator. So, this is when we looked inwards, in literal sense auditing, to check if we have enough brownie points on our scorecard for upskilling. And we were glad to come out in…
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IWD: The Day After
Is Corporate Inc not reading the room? Now that the buzz across the communication industry on International Women’s Day has died down and I am sure all of you are already prepping for offers on Holi, let’s suss out what the day meant for women in the industry. As people who are often tasked with finding innovative ways to communicate and push brand campaigns on IWD let’s dive into what and how women in the industry really view this day. To prep for this article, I ran a Linkedin poll before the D-Day and conducted a fiery Twitter chat with 13 strong voices from the community along with having a…
