boAt Lifestyle has appointed corporate communications veteran Amrit Anand as its new Head of PR & Communications. Anand announced his transition through a LinkedIn post."boAt has built one of India's most iconic consumer brands by combining innovation, design, and a deep understanding of its consumers," Anand shared. "I look forward to contributing to the next phase of its journey.”Anand brings nearly two decades of specialized experience across public relations, reputation management, crisis communications, investor relations, and corporate branding to boAt.His extensive professional trajectory spans nearly two decades of leadership across major consumer tech, financial, and multinational enterprises. Most recently, as Head of Corporate Communications at Zupee, he built the company's communication architecture from the ground up, directing both leadership positioning and high-stakes crisis mitigation strategies. Prior to that, he spent over five years at Paytm, rising to Deputy General Manager of Corporate Communications; during this tenure, he anchored the communication framework for Paytm's high-profile, multi-billion-dollar IPO and steered media relations through intense periods of regulatory and market scrutiny. His experience with public market listings also includes a stint as Corporate Communications Manager at ReNew Power, where he supported cross-border branding and IPO-readiness strategies. Additionally, Anand has managed internal communications, executive alignment, and large-scale employee engagement initiatives within global giants such as Bank of America and Walmart, following earlier career contributions to corporate branding and media relations at Escorts Limited and Amarchand Mangaldas.An alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia with a postgraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Anand’s early career includes foundational stints at Escorts Limited and premier law firm Amarchand Mangaldas.

In an era where a social media post can spiral into a PR nightmare, crisis communication has become a core brand function?Çönot a contingency plan. At the 5th edition of IMAGEXX Summit & Awards 2025 in Delhi, hosted by Adgully and The PR Post, industry leaders gathered for a compelling panel discussion on ?Ç£Crisis Communication in the Digital Era: Strategies for Protecting Reputation in a Changing Media Scene?Ç¥, moderated by strategic communications expert Anup Sharma. Representing sectors as varied as food tech, fintech, insurance, mobility, gaming, and travel, the speakers brought hard-won lessons and real-time crisis experiences to the table. Together, they painted a clear picture: Reputation today isn?ÇÖt built in campaigns?Çöit?ÇÖs tested in crises. The esteemed panelists included: Akanksha Jain, AVP-PR and Communications, SwiggyAmrit Anand, Head - Corporate Communications, ZupeeManika Mittal, Group Head - Communication and Public Relations, Balancehero IndiaNikhil Bharadwaj, Vice President & Head ?Çô Corporate Communications, Bajaj Allianz General InsuranceRuna Ahlawat, Head Communications, JSW MG Motor IndiaCommencing the discussion, Anup Sharma framed the conversation with a powerful insight: ?Ç£You don?ÇÖt prepare for crisis?Çöyou live it. In today?ÇÖs digital-first world, crisis isn?ÇÖt an ?Çÿif,?ÇÖ it?ÇÖs a ?Çÿwhen?ÇÖ.?Ç¥ He called for a shift in mindset?Çöfrom reactive damage control to proactive preparedness. MG Motor India: Purpose Over PRRuna Ahlawat, Head of Communications at JSW MG Motor India, spoke about the challenges of managing brand perception during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially being a brand with Chinese roots. ?Ç£Instead of reacting to noise, we led with empathy. Within 24 hours, we launched ?ÇÿSEVA?ÇÖ?Çödelivering oxygen concentrators and essential supplies to communities in need.?Ç¥ MG?ÇÖs value-driven approach proved that authentic action speaks louder than defensive statements. Zupee: Redefining Perception Through PreparednessOnline gaming often walks a tightrope with public opinion. Amrit Anand, Head of Corporate Communications at Zupee, shared how their team built a crisis framework grounded in education and foresight. ?Ç£Our biggest learning? You can have all the right policies in place, but if you?ÇÖre not communicating your intent, perception becomes the crisis.?Ç¥ Zupee developed stakeholder-specific playbooks, built media relationships, and focused on long-term reputation over short-term reaction. Balancehero India: Transparency in FintechIn the fast-evolving fintech space, Manika Mittal, Group Head of Communications & PR at Balancehero India, emphasized the need for transparent communication?Çöespecially during regulatory or technical disruptions. ?Ç£People don?ÇÖt expect perfection. They expect honesty. Even a delayed response can feel like betrayal in a space as sensitive as money.?Ç¥ Balancehero?ÇÖs three-tier strategy?Çöawareness, influence, and impact?Çöplaces trust at its core. Bajaj Allianz: Owning the NarrativeInsurance is often viewed through a lens of scepticism. Nikhil Bharadwaj, VP & Head of Corporate Communications at Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, spoke about reshaping that narrative with radical honesty. ?Ç£We don?ÇÖt run from criticism. We respond, explain, and educate. That?ÇÖs how trust is rebuilt?Çöone clarified claim at a time.?Ç¥ His advice: silence is not a strategy. Clarity and consistency are. Swiggy: Putting People FirstAkanksha Jain, AVP - PR and Communications at Swiggy, reminded the audience that food is personal. ?Ç£One missed delivery can ruin a special occasion,?Ç¥ she said. ?Ç£It?ÇÖs not just about refunds?Çöit?ÇÖs about being human in how we respond.?Ç¥ She also highlighted initiatives like Swiggy Wiggy, which showcases the stories of delivery partners, adding heart to brand narrative even in difficult moments.