PROI Worldwide has announced that Madan Bahal, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Adfactors PR, has been honoured with the Founders Award.Jeff Lambert, Global Chair of PROI Worldwide and CEO of US-based Lambert by LLYC, stated: "Madan Bahal exemplifies the spirit and vision that our community of independent communications agencies stands for. His dedication to innovation, excellence, and collaboration has significantly enriched the PROI network and the broader industry. We are thrilled to recognize his remarkable achievements with the Founders Award." Madan Bahal shared his gratitude, saying: "I am grateful to the Board of PROI Worldwide for considering me worthy of the coveted Founders Award. It is particularly heartening because the recognition comes from a peer group of Founders/CEOs, representing nearly a hundred PR firms spread around the world. This award is only the icing on the cake. Over the last 15 years, I have benefitted immensely in terms of learning, insights and best practices from this wonderful partnership of leading independent PR firms worldwide." In Bahal?ÇÖs honour, PROI made a US$1,000 donation to the Yoga Institute in Mumbai. Bahal?ÇÖs involvement with PROI spans over a decade and a half, during which time he has played crucial roles within the organisation, including serving on various committees and contributing to strategic initiatives that have propelled PROI's mission forward. Under his leadership, Adfactors PR has not only grown to become one of India's largest independent PR firms but has also actively participated in PROI's global endeavours, sharing knowledge and expertise across markets. Adfactors alignment with PROI's values and objectives has long been an asset to the network, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration. Bahal's recognition serves as a testament to his unwavering commitment to the principles of excellence and innovation that define PROI Worldwide.

For the first time in its history, PROI Worldwide has appointed women to its top leadership positions, naming Angela Scaffidi, (pictured), as Global Chair and Nicola Nel as Global Managing Director.PROI (Public Relations Organisation International) is a global network of independent public relations and communications agencies. Angela Scaffidi, founder and managing partner of Australian consultancy SenateSHJ, brings a wealth of experience from her work with clients across the public, private, and non-profit sectors in Australasia. A long-serving member of the PROI Board for the APAC region, Scaffidi is also a fellow of Communication and Public Relations Australia (CPRA) and a member of Chief Executive Women in Australia. With a background at McKinsey & Company and Turnbull Porter Novelli, Angela serves on the boards of Challenge: supporting kids with cancer, McAuley Community Services for Women, and chairs The Missed Foundation. A skilled facilitator and trainer, she has taught at RMIT University and held leadership roles in the Public Relations Institute of Australia and PROI Worldwide.?Ç£This appointment is an honour. I look forward to working with my partners and friends across the globe to grow the PROI?ÇÖs influence in our industry. Together we have a team of 8,800 people around the world. It?ÇÖs a powerful force to drive positive change, both in our industry and society. I?ÇÖm excited to help our partners to flex their entrepreneurial muscle, continue to grow and make an even greater impact on the world,?Ç¥ Scaffidi said.  Nicola Nel, who founded Atmosphere Communications in South Africa over twenty years ago and grew it into a leading PR consultancy before its acquisition by Accenture Song in 2021, expressed her excitement about her new role. ?Ç£I'm thrilled to take on the role of global managing director. The independent network model fosters a spirit of collaboration and innovation that excites me. I firmly believe that the work of independent communications agencies will play an integral role in the marketing mix going forward and networks such as PROI hold the key to the future of our industry. I'm eager to work alongside PROI's talented entrepreneurial agency owners to shape that future," said Nicola Nel. Nel succeeds Jeff Altheide, who is retiring after nearly 45 years in public relations. Scaffidi is the second woman to hold the global chair position in PROI's 50+ year history, while Nel becomes the third global managing director.