Creativity in PR

This is a latest global study by The Holmes Report in collaboration with Ketchum and No Go Create, would make any PR professional sit up and introspect. The study done in 2012 makes interesting revelation. Some consider it as an area of concern too, since only 6 percent of the respondents considered PR industry as creative, and another 6 percent labelled it as "non-existent".

It definitely is an area of concern considering that over 600 respondents from 35 countries including the clients besides agency and in-house executives participated in the survey.

However, it is worth exploring further as to what kind of creativity is being looked at by the clients in their PR services. Nevertheless, it is worth understanding, comparing the insight with our own Indian practice within our own respective organisations, and learning from it.
(Download pdf)

Creativity in PR, a Global Study from ArunSudhaman

What motivates people? Discover.

Many of us as communicators often face the challenge of motivating our internal stakeholders, the employees, the members of our team.  We have all digested Maslow's theory and what motivates an individual.
Here's another visually interesting presentation by Dan Pink, who engages you with his masterly idea.  Give them freedom. Give them a purpose. And see the magic happen.  Enjoy.

Video from KarmaTube

The Magic of Motivation...Unveiled!

Many of us as communicators often face the challenge of motivating our internal stakeholders, the employees, the members of our team.  We have all digested Maslow's theory and what motivates an individual.
Here's another visually interesting presentation by Dan Pink, who engages you with his masterly idea.  Give them freedom. Give them a purpose. And see the magic happen.  Enjoy.

Video from KarmaTube

Free Online Research Center for Social Media

Since the time the social media has hit the web world, the public relations practitioners have been pushed into the cyclone, some fully prepared, many unwillingly, leaving a still few to wonder at the nuances of social media.

To help the PR practitioners, Institute of Public Relations has launched an absolutely free resource today...the Online Research Centre for Social Media Science. 

An excellent storehouse of research articles, books etc, that benchmarks the veritable tools like facebook, twitter, linkedin, digg, etc and how these can be effectively deployed in PR practice.

7th Global PR Conclave

The preparations are afoot for the Public Relations Council of India's 7th Global PR Conclave at Hyderabad in 17-18 February 2013.  Our heartiest congratulations to Mr MB Jayaram, Chairman Emeritus PRCI, Ajai Agarwal.National VP, Capt Rakesh Gulati, Zonal Chairman South & Mr Narayanan Chairman Hyderabad Chapter.
The calendar is full for PR practitioners to be part of various knowledge series.  While Bangalore has engaged various colleges to be a part of PRCI student wing, Varanasi under the leadership of Dr. Vishwanath Pandey is organising a two-days workshop at Benaras Hindu University in January 2013, on "Paradigm Shift of PR".
Get ready to be a part of the event.

Hyderabad gets ready for 7th Global PR Meet

The preparations are afoot for the Public Relations Council of India's 7th Global PR Conclave at Hyderabad in February 2013.  Our heartiest congratulations to Mr MB Jayaram, Chairman Emeritus PRCI, Ajai Agarwal.National VP, Capt Rakesh Gulati, Zonal Chairman South & Mr Narayanan Chairman Hyderabad Chapter.
The calendar is full for PR practitioners to be part of various knowledge series.  While Bangalore has engaged various colleges to be a part of PRCI student wing, Varanasi under the leadership of Dr. Vishwanath Pandey is organising a two-days workshop at Benaras Hindu University in January 2013, on "Paradigm Shift of PR".
Another international conclave, 4th Glocal Communication is scheduled for March 2013 in Bangalore.
Chandigarh Chapter is having a two-days conference on "Media and Human Development: Need for Change in Priority" on 22-23 September 2012 in association with MICCI and FES.
Get ready to be a part of these events.

How to make SlideShare an Effective Communication Tool

SlideShare is a great web application that helps the PR practitioners in letting their client's slides and their own slides go viral on the social media network.  It is a great tool for education and elearning and you can share your training slides with the peers and the world.
SlideShare has emerged as one of top 10 tool for education and elearning.  Its founder Rashmi Sinha recently announced a new product which takes SlideShare to an entirely new level...Zipcast.  It helps you, in its Basic version, share your slides with the world, and you can chat, talk, and share visuals. In Pro versions you can make your presentations ad free and private so that only select invitees can interact with you.  Check out what you can do with SlideShare in this presentation:

SlideShare 101 from Amit Ranjan

Oprah reveals her secrets

PR Case Studies Competition

Public Relations Voice, the only journal for Indian PR professionals and the CVN Public Relations Foundation, Hyderabad announce the Institution of Dr. C.V.Narasimha Reddi Gold Medallion National Award, Citation and a Cash Prize of Rs. 10,000 for the best Public Relations Case Study, 2012.

The Award scheme has been taken up as to compile Public Relations case studies for the benefit of PR professionals.  The PR practitioners in India are requested to submit their case studies that would help in contributing to the knowledge bank of best practices. 


The Case studies may cover some key areas of public relations communication, and implemented during December 2010-December 2012, in the areas of,Employees relations; Customer relations; Community relations; Financial relations; Crisis communication; Media relations; Investor relations; Issue management; Reputation management; Multi - Media Public relations campaign; Corporate social
responsibility; Global public relations; Effective use of PR tools, such as house journals; Launching of Corporate Identity etc.


The last date of submission of entries is 31st March 2013. 




Download the Brochure and Application form here to participate in the Case Studies Competition. 

ABCI website gets new look

Association of Business Communicators of India (ABCI) has redesigned its website.  Easy to navigate and impressive, the website is full of information, archives of past achievements and activities, and coming events.  The brochure inviting nominations for the 52nd ABCI Annual Awards to be held at Mumbai in September is already up and, just like earlier years, one can look forward to a galaxy of brilliant speakers.
Congratulations to ABCI's President Yogesh Joshi who continues to provide his creative leadership and bring together the communicators in the country on to this single platform for meaningful interaction and contributing to the knowledge base.

Yogesh Joshi is Regional Representative of WCF

One of the most dynamic communicators of our country, Yogesh Joshi, Chairman of ABCI and Head of Tata Chemical's communications in Mumbai, has been nominated as the Regional Representative of prestigious World Communication Forum (WCF), with its headquarter in Davos.

He is the first and the only Indian to be nominated to WCF. As regional director for South Asia, he would be spearheading the communication movement in India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, etc. 

Reciipient of many awards and recognitions, Yogesh Joshi  was shortlisted from among 1500 communicators from across the world, to head the south Asian regional initiatives. 

"I have several plans which I shall be unfolding shortly," he said in a telephonic discussion today.  The biggest advantage for the communicators in this region would be the opportunity to interact with international speakers with WCF, he added. 

We are proud of his elevation and surely, we are in for good times ahead. 

PRCI Chandigarh Chapter is Most Innovative

Congratulations to Mrs. Renuka Salwan, Chairperson, PRCI Chandigarh Chapter, on receiving the Most Innovative Chapter of PRCI award during the 6th Global PR Conclave held at Mumbai on 13th February. Indeed, Chandigarh Chapter had been regularly organising interactions with communication practitioners besides holding seminars and workshops for the practitioners.
Public Relations as a practice today requires a very strong intervention by the professional bodies so as to upgrade their skills and knwoledge, and make them future-ready. 

6th Global PR Conclave at Mumbai

The countdown for the 6^th Global PR Conclave & Chanakya Awards event  being hosted by PRCI has begun.  It is just round the corner,  on Monday, February 13, 2012. 

Time: 10 AM onward

Venue: Rooftop, Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai

The conclave theme is:

PR – Interface or Interference – Media and PR perspectives

We will also have panel discussions on:

• PR Interface or Interference
• New Age- New Rage: Challenges and Opportunities in social/digital media
• Political/Government PR: Opportunities and Limits

PR professionals can participate as delegates with an on-the-spot registration @ Rs 3,500

We plan to start the Conclave at 10 AM with a formal inauguration to be followed by the key note address.

Maharashtra DGP Mr. K Subramanyam has given his consent to the chief guest.

Veteran journalists H K Dua, Kumar Ketkar, D K Raikar, Ayaz Memon, Ashok Advani, Shishir Joshi will grace the occasion, apart from corporate honchos and communication professionals

One of the signature properties of PRCI is the annual Chanakya Awards that recognizes the outstanding contribution made by corporate, educational institutions, to the PR profession and the society at large.

PRCI also felicitates PR practitioners for their outstanding contribution by inducting them into the PR Hall of Fame. The entire award process is determined by an independent jury.

PRCI Global Conclaves have so far been held Bangalore, New Delhi and Chandigarh and this time round Mumbai chapter has offered to play the host.

PRCI is engaged in providing training, setting standards of professional excellence, and uphold principals of ethics. As a leading voice in the industry, PRCI also advocates for greater understanding and adoption of public relations services. Established in 2004, PRCI has its headquarters at Bangalore with over about 20 active chapters located in Mumbai, New Delhi, Baroda, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Kerala, Hyderabad, Chennai, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Pune, Manipal, Mysore, Chhattisgarh, Guwahati and Mizoram.

B N KUMAR

Chairman – PRCI Mumbai Chapter & Global Conclave

6th Global PR Conclave & Chanakya Awards

The countdown for the 6^th Global PR Conclave & Chanakya Awards event  being hosted by PRCI has begun.  It is just round the corner,  on Monday, February 13, 2012. 

Time: 10 AM onward

Venue: Rooftop, Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai

The conclave theme is:

PR – Interface or Interference – Media and PR perspectives

We will also have panel discussions on:

• PR Interface or Interference
• New Age- New Rage: Challenges and Opportunities in social/digital media
• Political/Government PR: Opportunities and Limits

PR professionals can participate as delegates with an on-the-spot registration @ Rs 3,500

We plan to start the Conclave at 10 AM with a formal inauguration to be followed by the key note address.

Maharashtra DGP Mr. K Subramanyam has given his consent to the chief guest.

Veteran journalists H K Dua, Kumar Ketkar, D K Raikar, Ayaz Memon, Ashok Advani, Shishir Joshi will grace the occasion, apart from corporate honchos and communication professionals

One of the signature properties of PRCI is the annual Chanakya Awards that recognizes the outstanding contribution made by corporate, educational institutions, to the PR profession and the society at large.

PRCI also felicitates PR practitioners for their outstanding contribution by inducting them into the PR Hall of Fame. The entire award process is determined by an independent jury.

PRCI Global Conclaves have so far been held Bangalore, New Delhi and Chandigarh and this time round Mumbai chapter has offered to play the host.

PRCI is engaged in providing training, setting standards of professional excellence, and uphold principals of ethics. As a leading voice in the industry, PRCI also advocates for greater understanding and adoption of public relations services. Established in 2004, PRCI has its headquarters at Bangalore with over about 20 active chapters located in Mumbai, New Delhi, Baroda, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Kerala, Hyderabad, Chennai, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Pune, Manipal, Mysore, Chhattisgarh, Guwahati and Mizoram.

B N KUMAR

Chairman – PRCI Mumbai Chapter & Global Conclave

What ails Indian public relations?

Dr. C.V. Narasimha Reddi, Editor, PR Voice, shares his concerns about the PR industry.

●        The greatest pitfall of Indian public relations is that instead of being two-way communication, it operates by and large only as one way communication without any provision for effective feedback information mechanism and measurement.

●        As a management discipline, public relations is expected to reach every section of the public such as employees, shareholders, customers and assess their feelings. Unfortunately, public relations professionals rarely meet the stakeholders for one-to-one interaction to know their pulse towards organisational policies and programmes. We tend to reach them only through representational media like pamphlets, house journals, newspapers, TV, posters, confining to media relations rather than presentational media face-to-face.

●        Public relations in India is suffering from identity crisis. Other professions like journalism, marketing, advertising, finance, human resources etc. are called by one name., whereas public relations is given different names such as corporate communications, public affairs, corporate affairs etc

●        Lack of professional educational qualification is another major pitfall of this profession. About 60 percent persons working in this profession entered without any  basic qualification in public relations. And that public relations courses are offered only in a few educational institutions. A major challenge is lack of professional public relations education in the Indian Universities.

●        Though India lives in her villages, public relations survives in urban India without any machinery at the grassroots.

●        Lack of standard public relations textbooks, case studies, induction and inservice PR training, and public relations research are other characteristics that hinder the  growth of public relations profession and demands professionalism.

Mission : A Paradigm Shift for PR

What public relations profession needs today is a sense of mission. Public Relations Mission is the need of the hour to shape the future of this profession. Who will design the future plan? It is the primary responsibility of the national PR professional bodies and the educational institutes that are preparing the public relations students to design ‘Public Relations Mission’. What should be the areas of mission? Let us debate both on pitfalls and future mission

Flash Mob in PR

Flash mob has been effectively used by many organisations where in a busy market place or a mall, all of a sudden, a group of people would start dancing to the music or performing a coordinated action gig, and then suddenly disperse.  It is a derivate of 'smart mob' concept where groups of people communicating through mobile sms or twitter would gather and perform; and some may work out a big discount from retail store through collective bargaining.
Here's a group of Chandigarh youth break into a dance gig in the midst of a busy Sector 17 market plaza. It's a treat, and hats off to some of the young media guys who devised it.

What 2011 was like? Have we forgotten it?

Well into 2012 we might have forgotten how 2011 was like. Here's an excellent recapitulation by Google.

Chandigarh wakes up to Mail Today

I woke up to the thud of the bundle of newspapers that arrived in the morning.  As I reached the mailbox through cold foggy morning, it was a pleasant surprise to see the bold masthead of MAIL TODAY, peering prominently through a dozen newspapers that I get to see.  Lo and behold, it is the Chandigarh edition.  It was in the air for sometimes, and I am pleased to find the English tabloid from India Today to give some exciting newer and different perspective to the news happening in this city that is the hot seat for three governments, Panjab, Haryana and UT of Chandigarh. 
But surprisingly the press release on 'exchange4media' press release announcement says that  "the content strategy of the Chandigarh edition would be similar to that of the Delhi edition with complete focus on national news and no local news from Chandigarh". That comes as a shocker but I think that is a typo, because after all Chandigarh edition will have to have the local news. 
However, I am looking forward to seeing as to how local it gets.  Will it be reaching out to the local industry, businesses and professions, and voicing their concerns and celebrating their successes?  Most of the local editions have failed to do that, and the latest to do that had been THE ECONOMIC TIMES, that has dispensed with the local business stories in its region's page.  With the service industry and commercial activities on an upswing in the city involving a large number of upwardly mobile young professionals, we hope MAIL TODAY would cater to them.