Indian Beverage Association (IBA) has appointed Cumulus PR as its PR and communications partner. The appointment aims to amplify IBA’s industry presence, create public engagement, and support its advocacy initiatives.   The PR agency will spearhead a comprehensive national campaign positioning IBA as the definitive voice for the sector’s stakeholders, including manufacturers, producers, and policymakers alike. The campaign will highlight IBA's dedication to addressing industry challenges and leveraging growth opportunities.  JP Meena, secretary general of the Indian Beverage Association (IBA) commented on the partnership, stating, "The non-alcoholic beverage sector is a key contributor to India’s economic growth and innovation landscape today - it is poised to make India a global hub. We believe that the time is right to enhance our efforts towards strategic communication with our stakeholders and drive awareness. Following a multi-agency pitch exercise, we found team Cumulu

Aria Communication, a Mumbai-based real estate PR group, has been appointed to manage the PR mandate for Suraksha Smart City.   The agency will envision, develop and drive the PR and communications strategy for Suraksha Smart City, one of the largest greenfield township developments in Mumbai's Western suburbs, while also strengthening the brand’s positioning in Mumbai’s thriving real estate ecosystem. Jash Panchamia from Suraksha Group commented on the partnership, stating, “Suraksha Smart City represents a significant milestone for the Suraksha Group. We were keen to join hands with a like-minded agency whose approach would resonate with ours. Aria Communication is backed by its robust reputation in the real estate space, as well as its innovative outlook that will further propel our initiatives and amplify our voice. We are excited to see what the future holds and are optimistic about this collaboration yielding exponential outcomes.” Shweta Powar, Founder and CEO of A

  Prasidha Menon has been promoted from regional head of communications for Airbnb in India & SEA to regional head of communications, brand and product, Asia Pacific. Announcing the news on LinkedIn, Menon stated, “It’s an absolute honour and privilege to step into this regional leadership position at a time when Asia Pacific is uniquely positioned to drive Airbnb's growth and expansion globally”. She expressed her gratitude to Fallon O’Connor, vice president of global communications, Hannah Cadwallader, director of international communications, and Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, general manager of India and the APAC comms team. With over 20 years of experience, she held various roles across groups, including Positive Communications, Srigro Interactive, Genesis Burson-Marstellar, Edelman, Uber and Oyo, before joining Airbnb in 2022.   

PR 24x7 has announced Neha Gour as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective December 3, 2024, coinciding with the company’s 25th Foundation Day celebrations. Founder Atul Malikram expressed confidence in Gour’s leadership, highlighting her dedication and impact within the organisation. “Neha has been an integral part of PR 24x7, and her growth within the organisation is a testament to her dedication and passion. Her leadership will unlock new opportunities and propel the company to greater heights,” he said. Reflecting on her appointment, Gour shared, “It is an honour and a privilege to take on this responsibility. I am committed to continuing our journey of growth and ensuring client satisfaction remains our top priority. I have always believed that success can be achieved at any point in one’s journey. The key is unwavering dedication to your work. This commitment simplifies even the most daunting challenges.” Gour joined PR 24x7 in 2013 as a PR executive and ha

Tanya Dave has joined Qualcomm as the communications lead for India in New Delhi. Announcing her new role on LinkedIn, Dave shared her enthusiasm for driving impactful storytelling in the fast-evolving technology and innovation sector. “As I step into this new role at Qualcomm, I’m excited to work with the amazing team here and drive impactful storytelling in the dynamic world of technology and innovation,” Dave wrote. She also reflected fondly on her three-year tenure with Intel, stating, “The experiences and relationships remain close to my heart forever.” Before Qualcomm, Dave was the communications lead at Intel, where she crafted strategies around the company's brand, purpose, and goals across consumer, corporate, and data-centric narratives. Her career also includes nearly four years at Lava International and an extensive journalism background as a news anchor and correspondent at Star News, CNN IBN, and IBN7, as well as a deputy editor role at NewsX and India Ne

PR veteran Jasrita Dhir has taken on a new role as vice president of brand and communications at Ashoka University. In this position, Dhir will lead the university's brand and digital communications efforts, overseeing a team of seasoned professionals specialising in brand management, social media marketing, content creation, corporate communications, and public relations. Speaking to Influencing India, Dhir expressed her enthusiasm for the role, noting her excitement about working with a dynamic team to enhance the university’s visibility and reputation. She emphasised her commitment to driving impactful communication strategies that resonate with Ashoka's mission and vision. Dhir’s illustrious career spans over 23 years, with expertise in strategic brand management, marketing, digital communications, and public relations, particularly in the healthcare, senior care, and hospitality sectors. Her journey in PR began in 2005 at Max Healthcare, where she served as associate ge

Minari Shah, director of International owned content and channels in Amazon APAC, EU and LATAM, has announced she has departed the ecommerce giant after working for more than eight years.   Announcing the news on LinkedIn, Shah reflected on her time at Amazon, calling it “one hell of a ride”, which provided her with a platform for lots of learning, adventure, and working with some very smart people. “It's been a journey full of innovating and doing new things, with always the multiplier of complexity and scale and in the process, I carry so many memories of some most amazing campaigns. I leave Amazon as a sharper better professional, more measurement and data-driven, with a deeper conviction for how communications can have a business impact and a stronger curiosity for the new learning,” she stated.  With a career spanning three decades, Shah is a seasoned PR and communications professional who has worked with prominent Indian and multinational companies. She began he