Battery tech start-up Bessium has partnered with EFGH Brand Innovations to lead its brand positioning, creative direction, and integrated marketing efforts. The collaboration marks a strategic push to amplify Bessium’s role in India’s growing energy storage sector. “Excited to be working with Emanuel again, his disruptive thinking is exactly what we need,” said Ravi Shankar Sharma, CEO of Bessium. COO Rahul Khanna added, “We’re not just building batteries, we’re building belief in India’s energy future.” EFGH founder Emanuel Upputuru called the mandate to build Bessium “from the ground up” a challenge he’s eager to take on. The partnership aims to drive bold brand storytelling aligned with the Make in India mission.

The third edition of PRmoment India’s RiseUp PR competition concluded with School of Communications and Reputation (SCoRe) Mumbai clinching the top spot. Grace D'Silva, Shaili Lodariya, and Srija Dey won for their creative and impact-focused campaign, earning Rs 1,00,000 and internship opportunities. IIMC Delhi was named first runner-up, followed by MICA Ahmedabad as second runner-up. Ten three-member teams from across India competed, with entries assessed on creativity, rollout strategy, and impact measurement. Moushumi Dutt, programme director of RiseUp PR+, said the competition continues to grow in stature and aims to expand opportunities for emerging communications talent. “What an exciting finish to the 3rd edition of RiseUP PR... each one stood out in terms of their ideas, presentation skills, and grasp of the case studies,” she said. The winning team from SCoRe credited their mentor Rajeev Balakrishnan, director at Kaizzen, for encouraging them to “think beyond”

The Indian Influencer Governing Council (IIGC) hosted its latest meet-up in Mumbai, bringing together leading brands and content creators to discuss the evolving landscape of India’s influencer economy.  Representatives from brands such as Unilever, ITC, Kotak, Tata Capital, and creators including Rani KoHeNur and Harpreeth Suri attended the event.  One of the key announcements of the evening was the launch of the Indian Influencer Ratings, a weekly list designed to highlight creators who are making meaningful impact.  The ratings will feature categories like Trendsetters, Underdoggs, Brand Influence, and Don’t Do That, aiming to bring more structure and transparency to the industry.“This is about recognising real influence, not just popularity, we want to celebrate creators who are driving value and setting new standards,”said an IIGC spokesperson.  The meet-up also introduced the upcoming IIGC Code of Standards, a framework for ethical influencer-brand collab

The Age and Sydney Morning Herald have scooped the top honours at the Lizzies this year, winning the Gold Lizzie for Best Title.  It was a successful evening for the mastheads, winning the Lizzies for Best Consumer Technology and News Coverage, while Technology Editor, David Swan, took home Best Technology Issues Journalist.  “I'm incredibly proud to be a part of this newsroom and for its work to be recognised so strongly at The Lizzies. Awards aren't why we do what we do, of course, but to be recognised by your peers in such a way is gratifying.” Swan told Influencing.  “There would be a ton of reasons not to be a journalist. The hours can be rough, as can the pay, and every year, it feels like we're doing more with less. Ultimately, the results - shining a light on injustices, informing our readers, telling stories that need telling - are essential work, and I'm so glad that work can be recognised through these awards. “The awards are also a great reminder of how vib

Influencing can exclusively reveal investigative and digital forensics reporter Kevin Nguyen is on the move to London to work for the BBC as a senior reporter on the BBC Verify team.  Nguyen—who recently won Best Technical Journalist at the 23rd Annual Samsung Australian IT Journalism Awards— has departed the ABC News Verify team to take up the opportunity to work with the global broadcaster from mid-May.  Confirming the news to Influencing, Nguyen said “The BBC Verify team is the gold standard of social media verification work in the world. These investigation teams are very specific in what they’re trying to achieve.  “I think the BBC News Verify exists as this global pillar of confidence, as a hub of best practice journalism. Journalism is a process and not every newsroom has that luxury of executing that process and really the team I’m about to join never loses sight of that [process.] “For example, it’s better to be right than first and that’s what I’