Public Relations Consultants Association of India (PRCAI), the apex body representing PR and communication consultants in the country, today announced at its 24th Annual General meeting, the appointment of its new Managing Committee (MANCOM) and the 5 National Chairs who are part of the Executive Committee (EXCOM) for the 2025-2027 term, following a spirited and participative election process.This year?ÇÖs elections saw robust member engagement, with five leaders being elected through a competitive voting process, while four were elected unanimously - a testament to the industry?ÇÖs belief in their leadership and direction.Kunal Kishore, Group CEO & Co-Founder of Value 360 Communications, who has served as PRCAI?ÇÖs Vice President for the past four years, has been elected President. He succeeds Atul Sharma, CEO, Ruder Finn India and Head, Middle East, who led PRCAI through two dynamic terms marked by significant progress, including expanded membership, the onboarding of first-ever CEO, launch of signature industry programs, and a renewed focus on ethics and talent.The new MANCOM will continue to work in close collaboration with Deeptie Sethi, CEO, PRCAI, to drive a progressive, future-ready agenda rooted in inclusivity, action, and industry impact. The committee includes:??        Kunal Kishore, Group CEO & Co-Founder of Value 360 Communications - President, PRCAI??        Neha Mehrotra, Managing Director, Avian WE - Vice President, PRCAI??        Santanu Gogoi, Founding Partner, First Partners - Associate Vice President, PRCAI (in a newly evolved role, previously ?Ç£Secretary,?Ç¥ to reflect its broader strategic mandate) ?Ç£These are transformative times for the Public Relations industry in India and is projected to nearly double by end of the decade. At PRCAI, we understand the pulse of this change and are committed to build a respected, sustainable and action-oriented industry body,?Ç¥ said Deeptie Sethi, CEO, PRCAI. ?Ç£As President, Atul Sharma led with exemplary vision and integrity, and with Kunal Kishore and the newly elected and diversely represented leadership team, our focus remains steadfast on ethical standards, industry excellence, capacity development, and nurturing future-ready talent. Together, we aim to elevate the profession, built on reputation, rooted in responsibility.?Ç¥ PRCAI also announced its five National Chairs in EXCOM, including 1 new role, each driving a specific mandate to advance the association?ÇÖs strategic priorities:?      Nandita Lakshmanan, National Chair, Growth & Standardization, founder, The PRactice?      Dolly Tayal - National Chair, Marketing Communications & Global Networks, and the Managing Director, Burson Genesis?      Abhishek Gulyani - National Chair, Talent & Academia Connect, and the managing Director India and Head of Corporate Affairs, APAC, Zeno Group?      Vivek Rana - National Chair, Learning & Thought Leadership, and the managing partner, Gnothi Seauton?      Rishi Seth - National Chair, Public Affairs and Advocacy, and the founder and CEO of Evoc Communications Consulting Pvt. Ltd in a newly created role. Together, this leadership cohort represents a diverse mix of vision, experience, and energy, united by the shared goal of strengthening India?ÇÖs communications industry with one voice, and its global relevance. Reflecting on his tenure, Atul Sharma shared, ?Ç£Having worked in the public relations industry for over two and a half decades, my time with PRCAI has been one of the most meaningful ways I?ÇÖve been able to give back to the profession that shaped me. It?ÇÖs been an honor to lead PRCAI through a period of real change- one that?ÇÖs seen us move from intent to action, and from ambition to real outcomes. I?ÇÖm grateful for the trust of my peers and proud of all we?ÇÖve built together.?Ç¥Newly elected President Kunal Kishore added, ?Ç£I?ÇÖm honored to take on this role at a time when the Indian PR industry is poised for its next phase of evolution. My vision is to build PRCAI as a dominant, respected voice in the country ?Çö one that not only represents our industry but shapes it. We will work to expand our national footprint, introduce a new industry charter focused on ethics, innovation, and professionalism, and deepen engagement with all stakeholders ?Çö from clients to academia, media to government. It?ÇÖs time for public relations to be recognized as a core pillar of the media and marketing ecosystem, and I look forward to driving that transformation with all the elected leaders and our CEO.?Ç¥Key Milestones from PRCAI?ÇÖs Recent Term Include:?      PRana 2024: India?ÇÖs first story convention and business summit, convening 100+ changemakers to reshape the PR narrative for brand India and its global reputation?      Growth Hacking: Start-Up to Scale-Up: Accelerator for emerging firms tackling financial strategy, talent, and positioning?      Client-Consultancy Partnership Charter: A first-of-its-kind framework to elevate industry standardization and engagement norms?      2,500+ professionals trained: Through certification programs and workshops aligned with future-ready skills?      PRCAI Mediation Desk: Mediation as a service that can help stakeholders and members use the art and science of mediation to resolve disputes amicably. ?      Advisory on Misinformation: A guideline upholding Responsible Communication in Times of National Crises

Volkswagen India has awarded its press communication mandate to Ruder Finn India, one of the world's largest integrated global communications & creative agency. Reinforcing its commitment to creative and tech-first storytelling for its products and reputation building for the brand, Ruder Finn will work closely with Volkswagen India to highlight the brand?ÇÖs commitment to innovation, performance, sustainability, and future of mobility. Effective May 1, 2025, Ruder Finn will bring its full spectrum of capabilities ?Çö including strategic counsel and planning, corporate storytelling, media relations, and integrated campaign support ?Çö aimed at strengthening the brand?ÇÖs voice in the Indian market and advancing Volkswagen?ÇÖs business objectives across corporate and brand communications.  Commenting on the partnership, Gagan Mangal -Lead, Marketing Communications & Press, Volkswagen India, said, ?Ç£As we continue to evolve in a dynamic automotive and communications landscape, we are excited to onboard Ruder Finn as our communications partner. Their strategic thinking, integrated approach, and deep understanding of brand storytelling made them the right fit for our journey ahead.?Ç¥  Atul Sharma, CEO, Ruder Finn India & Head, Middle East, said: ?Ç£This mandate is a testament to our growing strength in integrated communications and corporate positioning across sectors. We look forward to leveraging our expertise to support Volkswagen India, an iconic brand that has shaped the automobile industry globally and in India. We are thrilled to partner with them at such a pivotal time in this category; our goal will be to create compelling storytelling that mirrors Volkswagen?ÇÖs legacy and its forward-looking journey, supporting their business ambitions.?Ç¥   Ruder Finn will operate as an extension of Volkswagen India?ÇÖs communications team to ensure consistent, insight-led messaging across earned and owned channels. 

In an exclusive interaction with Adgully, Atul Sharma, CEO, Ruder Finn India and Head of Middle East, shares his growth outlook for 2025, the evolving landscape of the PR industry, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.Emphasising the dynamic nature of the PR industry and the increasing need for PR firms to evolve in order to stay relevant, Sharma renarked, ?Ç£Growth doesn?ÇÖt come simply from following trends, it comes from truly understanding what our clients need today and where they are aiming to go in the future.?Ç¥ He stressed that the key to success lies in blending creativity with technology. ?Ç£A great story alone isn?ÇÖt sufficient anymore; it has to be backed by data, insights, and the flexibility to adapt quickly,?Ç¥ he asserted.Sharma also pointed out that there has been an increasing demand in areas traditionally handled in-house by clients, such as internal communications, crisis preparedness, and response planning. ?Ç£In the B2B space, brands are coming to us for assistance in building their brand identity and creating brand positioning manuals. They recognise that PR firms are uniquely equipped to craft these narratives, particularly through earned media,?Ç¥ he observed.With India?ÇÖs economy growing at an impressive rate, Sharma sees immense potential in areas such as financial communications, investor relations, and IPO communications. ?Ç£India is poised to become a high middle-income economy, and with that, we anticipate a surge in the need for expert storytelling to appeal to global investors and stakeholders,?Ç¥ he said. ?Ç£As many domestic companies and Indian arms of MNCs prepare to go public, we see a significant rise in demand for financial communications.?Ç¥Sharma also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping the PR industry. ?Ç£AI isn?ÇÖt just a buzzword, it is fundamentally altering the way we work and deliver value. At Ruder Finn, we?ÇÖve made substantial investments in AI to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and redefine pricing models to meet future demands,?Ç¥ he revealed.Furthermore, Sharma shared that the agency is actively helping clients adapt to the AI-driven landscape, citing insights from a Ruder Finn and Ragan survey on internal communications. ?Ç£The way forward is clear ?Çô AI will drive not only operational efficiencies, but also enhance the way we communicate with our audiences,?Ç¥ he added.Looking ahead at 2025, Sharma believes that the year will require a careful balance of optimism and caution. ?Ç£Geopolitical uncertainties and rising costs may cause businesses to be more cautious, but the growing recognition of PR as a business enabler opens up exciting possibilities,?Ç¥ he remarked. ?Ç£For those willing to innovate and adapt, the opportunities in 2025 are vast. We?ÇÖre entering a new phase of transformation, and those who embrace it will thrive.?Ç¥In conclusion, Sharma highlighted that while challenges lie ahead, the future of the PR industry remains full of promise for those prepared to evolve, harness the power of technology, and continuously innovate. ?Ç£The PR sector?ÇÖs role is only going to grow in importance, and for those who remain agile, the potential to succeed has never been greater,?Ç¥ he concluded.

As we conclude another year, it is essential to reflect on the key developments, challenges, and achievements that have shaped different sectors throughout the past 12 months. The year 2024 has been marked by dynamic shifts, rapid innovation, and the continued adaptation to both external factors and emerging trends.Adgully?ÇÖs annual feature ?Çô REWIND ?Çô revisits different sectors and identifies the key developments as well gauges the long-term impacts of those developments. We speak to a cross-section of industry leaders to bring a 360-degree view of the industry landscape, the growth trends, financial performance, disruptions, innovations, challenges and more.In this Rewind 2024 article, Atul Sharma, CEO, Ruder Finn India and Head of Middle East, shares his insights into the defining trends and developments that shaped the PR industry this year. He also highlights the global challenges faced by the industry and reflects on how the year unfolded for the public relations industry.Additionally, Sharma sheds light on Ruder Finn?ÇÖs performance during 2024, emphasising the key achievements and milestones that marked the company?ÇÖs journey throughout the year.Overview of the PR industry in 2024This year has been full of challenges with wars across the Middle East and Russia, and on the other hand, elections across major democracies like India and the US added uncertainty for businesses everywhere. As a result, many companies scaled back their marketing budgets or paused PR programs. For the PR industry, which has usually seen strong double-digit growth, this year was definitely slow.With this uncertainty, communications and marketing teams are now under pressure to show how their efforts help achieve real business results. Clients are asking, ?Ç£How is this campaign helping us grow??Ç¥What?ÇÖs changed is that PR is no longer just about creating good stories ?Çô it?ÇÖs about helping businesses achieve their goals. This shift has made our role even more critical. We?ÇÖre not just business enablers anymore; we?ÇÖre directly helping brands deliver results ?Çô whether that?ÇÖs in sales, marketing, reputation or overall growth.This focus on measurable outcomes is especially strong in start-ups, tech forward companies and consumer brands. They?ÇÖre looking for PR campaigns that don?ÇÖt just grab attention, but also contribute to their business goals.Key Trends and DevelopmentsThis year, the rise of AI and its integration into communications has been the most talked-about trend. Tools like generative AI are being adopted not just for efficiency, but also for creativity ?Çô whether it?ÇÖs crafting compelling narratives or analyzing consumer sentiment at scale. At the same time, the industry has been navigating concerns around data privacy, misinformation, and bias in AI systems, especially in markets like India where cultural diversity adds layers of complexity.On the client side, there?ÇÖs been a significant demand for services like crisis management, internal communications, and thought leadership. Startups and B2B companies, in particular, have leaned heavily on public relations to build credibility and attract investors.Ruder Finn?ÇÖs growth story in 20242024 has been a year of milestones for Ruder Finn. Despite the challenges in the global business environment, we?ÇÖve focused on building deeper partnerships with our clients and expanding our offerings, delivering on profitability and growth. We?ÇÖve seen strong growth in demand for specialized services like crisis preparedness, brand positioning manuals and internal communications. This year, we?ÇÖve collaborated with some of the most exciting brands and startups in the consumer, technology and auto space, helping them craft narratives that drive business results.Being a tech-first firm, we have always been focused on what?ÇÖs next. This year with the launch of rf.aio, our AI-driven communications platform, RF will enable its clients to look at search optimization within the large language models domain. We are certain that it will help to enhance efficiency, provide sharper insights, and deliver real business impact for our clients in the medium to long term.On the talent front, our efforts to create a collaborative and non-hierarchical culture have paid off, building a stronger, more dynamic workforce. In an industry where talent is the real differentiator, we?ÇÖve placed people at the center of everything we do. We focussed on looking beyond the traditional talent pools. It?ÇÖs not just about hiring from marketing-related industries anymore; we?ÇÖre exploring unconventional spaces to bring in fresh perspectives. This year, we also saw the return of some former team members ?Çô our ?Ç£boomerang employees,?Ç¥ as we like to call them ?Çô which makes us proud of the culture we have built too.

Ruder Finn Asia , the award-winning  communications consultancy, today launched the latest version of its SONAR crisis  management simulation platform. SONAR 5.5 allows corporations to practise their level of  crisis preparedness in the face of evolving risks to share price, revenues and reputation. Multi  lingual, SONAR 5.5 can be operated in multiple languages including English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese. The platform also incorporates new interactive features which identify potential  areas for future concern allowing for pre-emptive strategy and planning. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hoKO3U3r2K4?si=M7zLKCHply3mT-gW" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>When faced with a full-scale issue or crisis, management teams often discover the planning  they have in place fails under pressure. SONAR 5.5 is fast, effective and action-oriented,  designed to identify planning gaps and propose practical, workable, real-world solutions. With close to 100% client satisfaction rates, SONAR 5.5 creates an immersive crisis  environment allowing participants to experience every aspect of a fast-evolving crisis. The  versatile multimedia portal is internet-enabled: SONAR 5.5 simulations can be run for a single  market or global teams of up to 100 people allowing corporations to see where their crisis  planning works and where gaps exist.   SONAR 5.5 replicates every aspect of a crisis situation: negative media reports, share price  impact, stakeholder anger and employee protest. The platform is immersive meaning  participants quickly forget that SONAR is a simulation due to the reality of the created  environment. The output of every SONAR is a more experienced team, upgraded risk  planning, greater vigilance and preparedness for the future.  Ruder Finn Asia has identified the key operational implications of being unprepared for a crisis  or issue as a disorganised response, scattered decision making, absence of strategy and no  sense of mission. This translates to loss of narrative, loss of control and loss of value. Ruder  Finn Asia?ÇÖs experience has also identified the hallmarks of companies who emerge well from  a crisis: preparation, leadership, action and communication. Charles Lankester, EVP, Global Risk at Ruder Finn Asia said today, ?Ç£Together, we build  resilience and ensure our clients act with confidence whatever the circumstances. We have  delivered close to 150 SONARs since 2020 and consistently hear how much clients value the  experience and learning. The SONAR team are career experts in reputation and risk  management, ensuring our clients stay ahead of situations wherever possible. Reputation is  a primary global business risk, but most companies are unprepared and under-resourced in  the event of an issue. We are the risk management partner of choice for hundreds of  corporations and bring experience across Hong Kong, Mainland China, Asia-Pacific and  globally.?Ç¥  David Ko, Managing Director at Ruder Finn Interactive (RFI), Ruder Finn?ÇÖs digital  consultancy, said today, ?Ç£SONAR 5.5 is the result of years of crisis management expertise  and learning, distilled into an actionable, high value platform, updated for the AI era. The crisis  landscape now evolves at an ever-faster pace, so we continually upgrade SONAR to reflect  this new environment. New threats such as deepfakes, voice cloning and bots now require  crisis management with technology that meets the challenge.   Previously, we embedded generative AI into SONAR?ÇÖs operation, harnessing the power of  ChatGPT to create multimedia injects that simulate interactions with key stakeholders such as  government regulators, activist shareholders, protesting employees and consumer groups.  SONAR 5.5 now streamlines and presents additional interactions visually so that participants  can easily track and manage their crisis decisions and actions. The core of SONAR?ÇÖs value,  however, remains the expert guidance and coaching conducted by trainers and their real-time  feedback on client team dynamics and effectiveness. This work also incorporates a significant  predictive component, identifying potential areas for future concern and pre-emptive strategy  and planning.?Ç¥ Atul Sharma, CEO Ruder Finn India and Head, Middle East said, ?Ç£In today's dynamic  business landscape, proactive crisis preparedness is key to protecting your company's image  and strength. Leveraging cutting-edge AI capabilities, SONAR 5.5 isn't just a tool?Çöit's our way  of giving businesses the power to steer through stormy seas. With its innovative features and  user-friendly interface, SONAR 5.5 equips teams with the foresight and confidence needed to  face challenges head-on.?Ç¥ 

 Leading global communications agency, Ruder Finn, announced today the acquisition of Atteline, a UAE-founded agency headquartered in Dubai, which will be Ruder Finn?ÇÖs new hub in the Middle East. This acquisition builds on the momentum of Ruder Finn expanding its global strategic footprint with investments in healthcare, enterprise technology, rf techlab, reputation management, crisis communications, social and digital in the last year.Atteline?ÇÖs Managing Director and Founder, Sophie Simpson, has had a dynamic career in publishing and communications and founded the firm in 2016. Sophie will work closely with Kathy Bloomgarden, Global CEO of Ruder Finn, and Atul Sharma, who leads Ruder Finn?ÇÖs Middle East Region. By developing a new hub in Dubai, Ruder Finn aims to meet the growing demand for public relations, marketing communications, digital, and corporate reputation in this region.?Ç£In 2023, our 75th anniversary year, Ruder Finn experienced remarkable double-digit growth,?Ç¥ said Kathy Bloomgarden, CEO of Ruder Finn. ?Ç£We are committed to expanding our reach and our expertise globally and now is a great time to do so as the UAE, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are continuing to forecast strong growth across all industries. The region is increasingly regarded as an exciting hub for companies around the world. I?ÇÖm excited to welcome Atteline and Sophie into our leadership team as a strong partner in helping us serve the needs of our global clients.?Ç¥?Ç£Atteline brings cultural insights and expertise to the agency that can be leveraged to develop our relationships and best serve our clients,?Ç¥ said Atul Sharma, CEO Ruder Finn India & Head Middle East. ?Ç£Atteline?ÇÖs multichannel digital and social expertise will be a great complement to Ruder Finn?ÇÖs strength in this area.?Ç¥?Ç£This marks an exciting moment for not only Atteline and Ruder Finn but also the MENA region, as we come together with shared values and a caring culture. As one united voice we will champion impactful communications with a localized approach and global capabilities,?Ç¥ said Sophie Simpson, Managing Director & Founder of Atteline. ?Ç£We will use this to ensure we take our clients, team, and partners further than ever before.?Ç¥

Ruder Finn India, the Integrated Communications Consultancy, today announced the appointment of Shivaram Lakshminarayan as the Chief Operations Officer, reinforcing its commitment to strategic growth and operational excellence. Based out of the Bangalore office, Shivaram will play a pivotal role in driving business growth and operational excellence for the organization. This dynamic role involves leading client solutions, spearheading new business development, collaborating closely with the practices, and optimizing operational efficiencies. Commenting on the appointment, Atul Sharma, CEO, Ruder Finn India and Head, Middle East said, ?Ç£Shiv brings with him extensive experience across technology and corporate communications. With this appointment, we have further solidified our India leadership team to provide effective solutions for our clients and expand our operations in the country. Having witnessed Shiv's energy and expertise in action before, I am thrilled to have him on board. Together, we're set to amplify our success story in India and bring forth some exciting new chapters.?Ç¥ With a wealth of industry experience spanning over 21 years, Shivaram?ÇÖs expertise lies in brand reputation, corporate communications, leadership positioning, employee communications, investor relations, issues and crisis management, as well as policy and government relations. In his previous assignment, he successfully built and managed teams nationwide, collaborating with global leadership, growing practices, while streamlining SOPs and SLAs for clients and teams. Reflecting on his new role as the Chief Operations Officer, Ruder Finn India, Shivaram Lakshminarayan added, "As I step into the shoes of Chief Operations Officer at Ruder Finn India, I'm genuinely excited about being part of this dynamic team. I?ÇÖve seen Ruder Finn India?ÇÖs growing at a phenomenal pace in the last five years and today, I?ÇÖm very excited to get an opportunity to be a part of this amazing growth story. In this role I look forward to taking Ruder Finn India to newer heights with the talented teams here, leveraging their expertise and experience to come up with great solutions for our clients."