The flagship IMAGEXX Summit & Awards 2025, hosted by Adgully and The PR Post, returns for its 5th edition on July 18 ?Çô bringing together India?ÇÖs public relations and corporate communication leaders and changemakers. In today?ÇÖs hyper-connected, hyper-quantified world, data surrounds us like oxygen?Çöbut turning those numbers into something truly breathable for brands and consumers alike remains the real challenge. At the 5th edition of IMAGEXX Summit & Awards 2025 in Delhi, this idea took center stage during a high-energy panel, titled ?ÇÿFrom Metrics to Meaning: The New Age of Data-Driven Communication?ÇÖ. Moderated by Mamtaa Dhingra, a seasoned PR strategist and host of the ?ÇÿLateral Sutraa?ÇÖ podcast, the session brought together communication leaders from across sectors?Çömedia, logistics, real estate, automotive, and consultancy?Çöto explore how brands are moving beyond vanity metrics to build sharper, more resonant strategies powered by real insight. The esteemed panelists included: Ahana Ganguly, Associate Vice President - Brand Marketing & Corporate Communication, Times NetworkMitali Darbari Prakash, Business Director & Partner, The MavericksPoornima Gulati, Associate Director - Public Relations & Corporate Communications, NoBroker.comPrachi Sharma, Head - Creative and Communication, CARS24Rachit Mishra, Head - Brand Marketing & Communication, CJ Darcl LogisticsOpening the session with the poignant quote, ?Ç£We are surrounded by data but starved for insights,?Ç¥ Mamtaa Dhingra set the tone for a conversation that would cut through the noise. She emphasized the need to move away from superficial reporting toward deeper understanding: ?Ç£Data is everywhere, but insights are rare. The real value lies in interpretation, not just collection.?Ç¥ Ahana Ganguly offered a compelling look into how media brands are evolving. ?Ç£Data is the base for every communication and content decision today?Çöespecially in a space where we?ÇÖre not just competing with other broadcasters, but with FMCG, tech, and OTT platforms,?Ç¥ she said. From prime-time programming to ad sales, data informs everything?Çöfrom knowing when audiences tune in, to understanding who they are and why they engage. ?Ç£Screaming ?ÇÿWe?ÇÖre No. 1?ÇÖ doesn?ÇÖt work anymore,?Ç¥ Ahana quipped. ?Ç£What works is combining numbers with context and sharper targeting.?Ç¥ She also shared how Times Network leverages government datasets (like MoRTH?ÇÖs road accident statistics) to shape issue-based campaigns. ?Ç£Real numbers tell real stories. That?ÇÖs how we create communication that moves people?Çönot just informs them.?Ç¥ Poornima Gulati underscored how data is embedded in the DNA of digital-first disruptors. ?Ç£We built this company on a promise to remove the middleman. Data helped us replace opacity with transparency and trust,?Ç¥ she noted. Today, behavioral analytics fuel personalized experiences?Çöfrom property suggestions to CRM-led journeys. One standout example: ?Ç£We noticed an uptick in women applying for joint loans, so we started tailoring our messaging to support and empower them.?Ç¥ It?ÇÖs not just about demographics; it?ÇÖs about decisions. Prachi Sharma brought both clarity and charisma, offering a fresh take: ?Ç£AI will never beat natural intelligence,?Ç¥ she said with a smile. While she acknowledged the usefulness of AI in speeding up execution, she cautioned that data without empathy becomes hollow. ?Ç£Relatability is non-negotiable. People don?ÇÖt want fluff?Çöthey want truth. If you?ÇÖre not listening to human voices, your communication will miss the mark?Çöno matter how ?Çÿdata-backed?ÇÖ it is.?Ç¥ From logistics and freight to frontline branding, Rachit Mishra emphasized that data?ÇÖs role extends far beyond marketing dashboards. ?Ç£We use data not just to optimize operations, but to improve road safety, reduce accidents, and build long-term trust with clients,?Ç¥ he explained. For service-first industries, brand perception is closely tied to transparency. ?Ç£Smart communication, rooted in insight, helps us stay accountable. That?ÇÖs how we keep stakeholders engaged?Çöand reassured.?Ç¥ Mitali Darbari Prakash brought a consultant?ÇÖs lens to the table, especially valuable in her work with both legacy brands and startups. ?Ç£Legacy brands often suffer from fragmented data, gathered through outdated methods. It?ÇÖs no longer about hoarding data?Çöit?ÇÖs about sense-making,?Ç¥ she said. At The Mavericks, she leads teams where researchers and data scientists work in tandem to build insight-rich strategies. ?Ç£AI is powerful?Çöbut it only works when there?ÇÖs actual intent guiding it. Otherwise, you?ÇÖre just dressing up numbers with jargon.?Ç¥ ??As the session wrapped up, Mamtaa Dhingra circled back to the core theme: data is just the beginning?Çöinsight is the destination. Whether you?ÇÖre optimizing a logistics network, designing a content calendar, or trying to decode consumer mindsets, the leaders on this panel showed that communication becomes powerful only when numbers are grounded in purpose and human understanding. 

The 2024 edition of CMOs?ÇÖ Charcha ?Çô Bengaluru Chapter successfully brought together the country?ÇÖs top marketing leaders to chart the future course for India Inc. Since its inception, CMOs?ÇÖ Charcha has evolved into a respected forum, with chapters in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. This year?ÇÖs edition, held onSeptember 25, around the theme, ?ÇÿRevolutionising Marketing: The Fusion of Data, Creativity, and Technology?ÇÖ. The summit explored how the integration of data, creative innovation, and advanced technology is transforming the marketing landscape.In an engaging panel session moderated by Akshaara Lalwani, Founder and CEO of Communicate India, industry leaders gathered to discuss the evolving dynamics of public relations (PR) and crisis management in today?ÇÖs digital era. Featuring prominent voices from real estate, fintech, fashion, and alcoholic beverage sectors, the session delved into the critical balance between traditional and digital media, with a focus on crisis management, audience engagement, and brand narrative building.Poornima Gulati, Associate Director of PR and Corporate Communications at NoBroker.com, emphasized on the importance of preparedness in crisis management. Although NoBroker.com has avoided major crises, she drew parallels with the infamous Maggi noodles controversy. She highlighted how Nestl???ÇÖs initial silence allowed the crisis to escalate.?Ç£One clear example we?ÇÖve all read about is Maggi. For one and a half weeks, nobody from their team interacted with the media. That silence amplified the controversy,?Ç¥ Gulati pointed out.In today?ÇÖs digital-first world, she noted, communication is no longer one-way. Social media has created a two-way dialogue, where consumers can voice their experiences ?Çô good or bad ?Çô instantly. A positive experience may reach ten people, but a negative one could reach hundreds, making it crucial for brands to be responsive and transparent.Nanda Padmanabhan, Head of Corporate Communications at BankBazaar.com, addressed the importance of consumer education in fintech. With financial products being both a necessity and an aspiration, consumer trust is paramount. BankBazaar focuses heavily on educating its diverse demographic about the safety and efficacy of its products.?Ç£For us, it?ÇÖs about detailed audience segmentation and reaching them with the right information, in the format they prefer to consume,?Ç¥ said Padmanabhan. The company uses both traditional and digital media, ensuring they cater to Gen X through print and older formats, while Gen Z and future generations like Gen Alpha require entirely new communication approaches.Sipika Khandaka, Director and Head of Corporate Communications at Myntra, shared her insights on how traditional PR remains central to building narratives, even as digital platforms gain prominence. She emphasized the need to understand the target audience and where they consume content, and how those preferences dictate PR strategy."For instance, for Gen Z you may need to go to the digital spaces they frequent, even if those platforms are niche, and use content formats they resonate with the best" Sipika said.She elaborated on Myntra?ÇÖs approach to blending the two worlds. "Our focus is to create an emotional connection with our consumers. While traditional media helps in shaping broader narratives and perceptions, digital media enables brands to be more agile and experimental. Social media, for example, allows brands to communicate directly with the audience and respond to feedback instantly. It's an opportunity to humanize the brand, show personality, and stay relevant."Sipika emphasized that balancing traditional and digital media is key to ensuring that a brand?ÇÖs message resonates with different segments of its audience, depending on the context. "The key is to create a symbiotic relationship where both contribute to the overall brand narrative."Representing Bosch, Shakambhari Thakur, General Manager of Corporate Communications, explained the complexities of managing a brand with multiple business divisions, from mobility to consumer appliances. For Bosch, reaching varied stakeholders requires a multi-channel strategy, particularly when launching new initiatives, like their smart campus.?Ç£During our 100-year celebration, we used cross-pollination strategies, engaging nano-influencers to lend credibility to our smart solutions. By leveraging both traditional media and nano-influencers with high engagement rates, Bosch created a deeper connection with their audience,?Ç¥ Thakur shared.Puja Asopa, Head of Corporate Communications at United Breweries Ltd., tackles the unique challenges of marketing in the highly regulated alcohol beverage industry. With restrictions limiting direct consumer engagement, United Breweries has found innovative ways to create buzz. She cited the launch of their new beer, Queen Fisher, which combined traditional PR efforts with celebrity influencers and social media.?Ç£Despite the challenges, we created significant buzz through a red-carpet-style event, complete with social media influencers and paparazzi. It wasn?ÇÖt just about traditional media, but the amplification through digital channels that created a lasting impact,?Ç¥ Asopa explained.Concluding the session, Tinu Cherian Abraham, Director and Head of Global PR & Media Relations at UST, underscored the need for collaboration between traditional and digital media. He dispelled the misconception that the two are in competition, stating that they are, in fact, complementary.Abraham shared a compelling example from his time at Ola, where a humorous tweet by a popular influencer led to a creative, personalized response from the brand. The tweet went viral and was subsequently picked up by traditional media, demonstrating the synergy between digital engagement and traditional coverage.Wrapping up the session, Akshaara Lalwani posed an intriguing question: ?Ç£Is PR a part of your content strategy, or is it the other way around??Ç¥ This left the audience reflecting on the changing role of PR in shaping not just media conversations but the overall brand narrative.The session highlighted the importance of agility, innovation, and collaboration in today?ÇÖs PR landscape, where both traditional and digital channels play vital roles in shaping public perception and driving business success.