Encouraging a child means that one or more of the following critical life messages are coming through, either by word or by action: I believe in you, I trust you, I know you can handle this, You are listened to, You are cared for, You are very important to me.

Humans are social creatures. As an outcome, communicating and navigating through coming education skills has been a fundamental aspect of human existence. Whether it’s communicating, expressing feelings, or understanding one another, Effective communication is vital in many situations, including creating relationships and fostering understanding on a personal level.

How communication reinforcement collaborates with children at a young age to develop their confidence and personality, as well as exactly what it takes to be a child personality building coach. How mentorship truly illustrates the importance of good communication during conversations and public speaking. What issues children have in communicating and how techniques for problem solving aid in creating successful communicators. How mentoring and training have a good influence on children’s personalities and help them develop positive confidence in their early years.

Tune in and listen to Pooja talk about all this and more in this episode of Mrigashira.

What it takes to be a corporate story telling coach and how has the story telling narrative evolved overtime in the corporate culture. How story telling as a form of communication is critical to creating a positive work environment and how it impacts your audience and stake holders.

Tune in and listen to Soundari Mukherjea talk about all this and more in this episode of Mrigashira.

My big, hairy, audacious goal is to help leaders and teams be more human at work, build their brand using story telling.

How this journey tests ones resilience, how it prepares oneself not just physically but also mentally. How it tends to make one focus on the positives and pushes forward and helps grow as a person overall.

Listen to Mahasweta Ghosh talk about all this and more in this episode of Mrigashira.

“Culture and language are constantly evolving. And language used to challenge stereotypes and foster inclusive culture can also change.”

Public relations is really about managing the relationships of a brand with it’s target audience

In today’s episode of Mrigashira we have Mr. Lars Voedisch, MD, PRecious Communication Agency talking about Communication as a tool for an organization to connect with its audience and investors. And what it takes to be a thought leader in an ever changing marker.
Learn why companies should be clear about their stand while connecting with their wider audience and not just jump onto the bandwagon to seek attention.
Tune into this episode to learn more.

What is the right thing to do for an end client?
Learn how companies can equip themselves with AI and Data Analytics tools to better understand their clientele.
Tune into this episode to learn more.

“You got to empathize with the client, what he or she is actually feeling as they go through the journey with an organization”

In this episode our esteemed guests are –

Samir Kapur – Director, Adfactors PR

Roma Balwani – CEO, India Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA)

Archana Muthappa – Communication Specialist And Mental Health Advocate

Charanjit Singh – Communication strategist, Coach, Start up Mentor and Visiting Faculty at Shoolini University

Kavita Lakhani – National President WICCI and Independent Director Finlabs India Pvt Ltd

Arun Mittal – Brand Consultant and Communication strategist

PR professionals in these regional markets can utilize the medium to find new stakeholders

The other thing that I would say is have some boundaries that will not be crossed.

Felicia Blow

PR professionals undergo severe stress, in general. So what some of the useful tips are that Felicia could give us in terms of how we can, or as a matter of habit, etc in this episode of Mrigashira. Listen to this episode to explore more.

Discussing the process of leveraging collaboration between social and corporate sector.

We are focusing on three pillars – bring in growth & inclusivity, be a knowledge hub, emerge a think tank

I can’t stress enough the investments that companies have to make into communications.

We work with tea & apparel industry in public affairs. The sentiment among foreign investors in Sri Lanka is they will bounce back.

We need to build more compelling data driven narratives

Rukmini S , Data Journalist and Author of the book , Whole Numbers and Half Truths speaks to Radha Radhakrishnan  in this episode of Mrigashira about how journalism and communication depicts real picture of a country. Her thesis on importance of journalism . An insightful and informative conversation is worth listening to.

Rahul is also the Past President & Founding Member of Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI), a body playing an increasingly significant role in promoting public affairs as a profession as well as the development of India’s economy. An insightful and informative conversation on policy advocacy is worth listening to.

The need and the ability to connect the dots, we get very focused on tactical stuff in delivery

Rahul Sharma

Impact Research & Measurement Pvt. Ltd, and Chairman, AMEC – The International Association of Measurement and Evaluation of Communication speaks to Charu Raizada in this episode of Mrigashira about measurement – which is integral to every PR campaign. They discuss the importance of having a robust measurement framework from the start of a PR campaign. Measurement and the way it is framed can have a real impact on the way the communication function is set up, it’s activity, it’s strategy and ultimately, it’s success.

Lot of people believe that measurement is something that is only done to see whether we have done well in the past. That’s a myth

Sam Tatam, Global Principal of Behavioral Science, Ogilvy Consulting, speaks to Charu Raizada in this episode of Mrigashira about importance of behavioral science. He explains how exploring the field of biomimicry has helped in systematically solve human problems. Sam talks about how difficult it is for us to curve our behavior. An insightful and informative conversation on behavioral science is worth listening to.

I explore the field of biomimicry that borrows from evolved or adapted solutions in biology and applies them systematically to solve human problems

Sam Tatam

Please watch Indian films. Anybody making these comments about Indian films has not watched it

Vanita Kohli

She explains how the journey is exactly what television has seen, of course, is a difference in the format. The journey of television was exactly what newspapers saw on the journey of newspapers was exactly what radio saw is a different format every time. So you know, radio offered an audio medium.

There are all indications that say, one out of five, or one out of six, going through a mental health issue in our country. And yes, it’s taken very, really serious epidemic kind of proportions over here. There’s a real great urgency for government, for individuals, for policymakers, for corporates, for people in media for almost everybody to make mental health a priority. We really need to understand that we have to use the power of the internet, or whatever tools which are available to us today, to kind of add them as value add to mental health services. 

There’s a real great urgency for almost everybody to make mental health a priority

Dr. Narendra Kinger

He is best known for portraying J.K. Talpade in the Amazon Prime Video series The Family Man (2019-2021).

Sharib started his career by working in movies as an actor. In 2008, he appeared in Slumdog Millionaire, which became an Oscar-winning movie.

In 2012, he obtained a major role in Filmistaan, alongside Inaamulhaq and Kumud Mishra. He played a supporting role in Jab Tak Hai Jaan, which starred Shahrukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif.

Later, he worked on films like Badmashiyaan (2015), Phullu Phullu (2017), Vodka Diaries (2018), Batti GUI Meter Chalu (2018), Nakkash (2019), Ujda Chaman (2019), and Darbaan (2020).

Sharib Hashmi’s other work has included the Amazon Prime production Blockbuster Series The Family Man and Voot Select blockbuster Asur.

In 2020, he appeared in the television series A Viral Wedding, Scam 1992, and worked in numerous commercials, television web series and films.

OTT has given me a new lease of life

Sharib Hashmi

SKIP TO: 00:14 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:40 Skip the intro.

In conversation, he said, “I don’t see any difference. Because I have to act in front of the camera only”. He added, “if you’re a theatre is a different medium. And if you’re working in front of the camera, so there is no much difference, as far as acting is concerned”.

He further added that the only differentiation he could see is getting more footage or there is enough time to establish other characters as well, not just the main protagonists”.

An OTT, like a web series has seven to eight hours of duration. So we get time to explore other characters, other tracks and add more layers. We get more to do and we get to explore our characters. So in a way, it helps the actors break in a great way.

Decade ago, business communication, or b2b was mainly about boxes and speeds and feeds. But now it’s more beyond that. What it can do for you what it can do for your enterprise. How it can make you more efficient more productive and more competitive. These are the shift in communication which has happened in recent times.

“Usually B2C marketing is on an individual level, B2B marketing is now moving to a segment of one”.

Shobha Vasudevan

Dell is an essential company for the data era. Dell stores, re-processes, moves, protects indeed more data than almost anyone. Actually, half of the world’s mission critical data is on a Dell technology platform. So with this vast amount of data, probably, fuel the IT investments going forward.

It’s like ‘segments of one’. Usually B2C marketing is on an individual level. B2B is now moving to a segment of one. It is working towards the enterprise communication. Even B2B brands want to be in the customer intimacy space. Earlier it was like a PR mechanism. You would do something which works to a large section of audience but it’s not for anybody. The customer intimacy will be something that even a B2B marketer or communicator will be able to do. Dell is trying that successfully. Spray and pray technique that used to be so popular earlier, as an industry PR. But it is not. People were very famous for doing the spray and pray. You put out a release and pray to God that proves to be interesting. It does not work anymore, anywhere.

The location of conversation when you are designing a program is very, very important

Vinayak Raman Sharma

It’s very important to understand about farming. One part is farming sustainability and then comes the effective communication strategy part. When we say farming, it does not only mean the crops or cultivation of crops. Even when you talk about crops, there are multiple crops. Cereal, oil seeds, pulses, vegetables – All of these are crops. Farming also includes the dairy which includes cattle and other animals. There is a horticulture also. There is fishery.

So, talking about sustainability in farming, say, in agricultural crops. There are variety of factors like the Integrated Pest Management, Soil Management, Crop Management. On other hand, Water Management, Disease, Pest Management and Waste Management and so on. There are many factors. So, first of all, there is a need, when we say effective communication strategy, to have an understanding of the farm. What the farming issues are. What their concerns are and then also within those, the areas of attention. There is a need to focus on these while planning for an effective communication strategy.

SeedWorks International Private Ltd (SWIPL) is a Plant science company. It is in Research, Production and Marketing Hybrid seeds of Rice, Cotton, Millet, Mustard and Vegetables. The Mission is to provide superior seed solutions by harnessing technology and innovation. To create value for all stakeholders in a sustainable manner. SeedWorks International Private Ltd. has been identified among India’s 50 Great Mid-size Workplaces 2021 by the Great Place to Work®️ Institute. In addition, we are ranked 19th in the largest workplace culture study in the country.

Also Listen: BHAVNA IMRAN ON HELPING FARMERS THROUGH RIGHT COMMUNICATION

Investment process is an evolution and each of us is at a different point in our journey. So don’t lose hope. Listen to this episode for a directional conversation with Shiv Sharma, VP International & India Head of Stocktwits

Powered by its mission to become the global hub of conversation for all investors. From novices to veterans – Stocktwits is dedicated to providing a steady pulse on the markets. It encourages access for all.

Investment process is an evolution, right in every retail investor is at a different point in their journey. Our goal is to help them get even better.

Shiv Sharma

Stocktwits started in 2008 as an app built on Twitter and was the first to organize conversations around tickers using the cashtag (e.g. $AAPL). Today it is a standalone social network and the defining voice of “social finance.” Stocktwits is the best way to find out what is happening right now around the markets, companies and assets you care about. It continue to reimagine financial media, tools and services for the next generation of investors & traders. Stocktwits is single largest social network for investors and traders.

Ankit Prasad, Founder and CEO, Bobble AI helps us understand how interactive technologies are fast disrupting the way we consumers are intermingling with brands.  Booble AI leverages artificial intelligence to offer a conversation media platform through its keyboards. A perfect way to make everyday smartphone conversations more expressive, personalised, and intelligent.

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:08 Skip the guest intro.

Now that the worst seems to be over, there is a renewed enthusiasm across the spectrum. The companies are not more sure about the future and they are looking for talent who can help build a favorable narrative. Rishi Abichandani, Managing Director, Corporate Connections Consultants speak at length on hiring trends in the industry in this episode.

Things are looking up in 2022. Big agencies will hire a lot as their plans for the year are huge.

Mixing the physical and virtual seems to be natural next step in the way we think about the use of the internet.

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:08 Skip the guest intro.

In this episode of Mrigashira, Nakul Ghai, Corporate Communications Specialist speaks on reverse mentoring, its benefits, pitfalls and how organizations and PR millennials can take inspiration from it to make future leaders.
The communications industry has undergone a massive metamorphosis in the last five years, especially during the pandemic. The proliferation of social and digital media has made it even more imperative that leaders and managers understand the behaviour of millennials – understand their needs and career objectives. It is here that Reverse Mentoring plays a crucial role. Nakul Ghai, an integrated communications professional, talks about the need for reverse mentoring and how it helps today’s leaders. 

The concept of reverse mentoring where millennials are teaching leaders is taking off.”

SKIP TO: 00:15 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:52 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 2:13 Skip to the quote.

This episode of Mrigashira brings answers to all these questions and a lot more.

Writing and writing a book is an ambition many harnesses. Unfortunately on most occasions, it goes on the backburner as many don’t know where to start, how and why. The Book Challenge is a perfect opportunity for 50+ adults to pursue their passion. Launched by Anish Chandy, Literary Agent & Founder at Labyrinth Literary Agency and Mahesh Venkateshwaran, Silverangels the Book Challenge provides the perfect opportunity. Listen to this podcast to know more about the initiative.

SKIP TO: 00:15 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:36 Skip the guest intro.

In this episode we talk about gender diversity and the upcoming Women Leading Change Awards by Campaign India.

This award has been running for last five years across Asia Pacific and celebrates women who lead, inspire, and motivate greatness as well as champion the advancement of other women in the marketing communications industry. So if you are a woman leader, do not hesitate to tell your story and self-nominate before 31, January 2022

Listen to the episode to know more with Raahil Chopra, Managing Editor Campaign India, Rashmi Vikram Chief Equity Officer APAC, Dentsu International and Radha Radhakrishnan, Corporate Communication specialist and member WICCI PR and Digital Marketing Council.

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 1:14 Skip the guest intro.

She says when life slows down, everything comes under a magnifying glass and we get to observe the extraordinariness of the ordinary and the funny in the mundane. It is this experience that she had to go through during her quarantine in Kerala that prompted Author, Anjana Menon the jot down her daily experiences as a diary which eventually became the book Onam in Nightie. In this podcast, Anjana discusses her latest book, its reviews and provides a few tips to wannabe authors.

When life slows down, you start observing things more closely. As a writer, you capture extraordinary stuff in the ordinary.

SKIP TO: 00:15 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:56 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 09:49 Skip to the quote.

Amit Misra, CEO South Asia, MSL shares some of the trends likely to define 2022 for the Public Relations industry. Amit shares his views on some of the industry challenges around talent, evaluation, data and more.

With over two decades of experience, Amit Misra has played a pivotal role in building brand MSL in India. Today, the firm offers the best integrated services in the market for some of the world’s most sought-after brands in the region, with India leading the pack with sustained integrated growth. The validation of the work and the growth lies in the fact that the firm in India, has won most of the coveted Awards in the last 2 years.

There is still no talk of qualitative profiling of our campaigns, because that takes money.

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:04 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 18:34 Skip to the quote.

In today’s times, as communicators, knowing the art of mediation and negotiation is more of a life skill, to help people and businesses build winning relationships. On this episode of Mrigashira, we are going to familiarise ourselves with the basics and learn more with Radhika Shapoorjee.

A seasoned communication leader and a certified Mediator from the Indian institute of Arbitration and Mediation, Radhika is India’s specialist Mediator for the Singapore International Mediation Centre. She has three decades of professional experience across advertising, public relations and corporate communications.

How do we shift from a win lose to a win win situation? And this shift in mindset is at the heart of what mediation can do.

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:09 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 17:22 Skip to the quote.

The biggest challenge was to ensure the business continuity to overcome lockdown induced movement restrictions in 2020.

SKIP TO: 00:15 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:30 Skip the guest intro.

Scott’s assertion is that marketing and public relations is vastly different on the Web than in mainstream media. instead of buying or begging your way in, Scott says anybody can earn attention by “publishing their way in” using the tools of social media such as, blogs, podcasts, online news releases, online video and viral marketing. He believes that, with few exceptions, marketers gain the best return on their investment in content creation when they choose “ungated” publication.

Check out David’s books on Amazon, and connect with him on Twitter @dmscott and LinkedIn. Grab a copy of Fanocracy: Turning Fans into Customers and Customers into Fans, and check out the Fanocracy website. Great customer support is about building fans.

Great customer support is about building fans.

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:46 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 14:00 Skip to the quote.

In this episode of Mrigashira, Arun Sudhaman, CEO/Editor-in-Chief at PRovoke Media, discusses the agency world, major shake-ups and what to expect next.

We have seen best performing agencies are the ones who pay most attention to their culture.

SKIP TO: 00:15 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:40 Skip the guest intro.

She says street art in public places in tier 2 and tier 3 cities of India is all about bringing art to life for the public at large. Only a few privileged people can go to a museum to view it. Most people in India will not go. Street art in public open spaces in is their museum. In conversation with Mrigashira, Meenakshi Payal, Head- Art Programming, Mojarto, talks about the joys and experiences of taking street art to people in tier 2 and tier 3 cities of India.

Our motive of doing these art projects and street art is to bring art into public life.

SKIP TO: 00:15 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:50 Skip the guest intro.

India’s video OTT market is expected to touch $12.5 billion by 2030. We are already seeing a lot of competition. This is going to undoubtedly heat up as existing players and new ones pump in investments, innovate with new concepts; and new players get ready to compete in this overcrowded market.

Listen to Managing Director of EORTV, Falguni Shah, on the channel’s launch, positioned to be inclusive, creating acceptance for all communities in society, by eliminating any kinds of biases based on gender stereotypes and orientation.

Falguni Shah has had an interesting journey of being in many corporates. Then she moved to a successful content creator. Falguni is the Founder of Footlooze Channel, Which caters to niche and premium viewers with the World’s highest subscription fees for a series. She is the Producer of Dreamzz Images Studio. which has produced many top ranking and award winning Webseries since 2018.

In Digital, being brand safe is critical.

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:28 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 08:27 Skip to the quote.

Traditionally, crypto has been associated with the evasion of law by criminals. But today, we acknowledge the fact that blockchain technology is transformative, on the cusp of bringing in a revolution. Just as any new technology – it too has its share of skepticism. For communicators willing to take the plunge, there are lots of opportunities in the blockchain sector.

Listen to this interesting conversation with Philippe Borremans –  founder of RiskComms FZCO. Philippe specializes in Emergency Risk & Crisis Communication and is the President of the International Public Relations Association (2021).

Look up Philippe Borremans invitation link to this decentralized social media platform called DESO. Sign up receive $25 to invest in your profile or support other content creators: https://diamondapp.com?r=DQz1ghvg

There’s a huge blind spot from the profession, how blockchain will impact our own day to day operations.

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:59 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 11:58 Skip to the quote.

With the corporate communication function undergoing a significant change, the Institute for Public Relations (IPR) decided to delve deeper and has recently come up with a research report – The “IPR Future of Communications in Asia”. The findings of the report are an outcome of in-depth interviews with 30 senior communication professionals and three focus group discussions with 20 communication leaders, which included representation from India as well. 
Sarah Crawshaw, Managing Director Asia Talent Advisor for AWPeople / Teneo, an expert in executive search and talent management solutions and Stephen Thomas, an Independent Communications Advisor, who provides stewardship that helps organizations to succeed in a complex, high profile, highly regulated sectors in the Asia-Pacific region, share with us upcoming trends from the report.

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:17 Skip the guest intro.

As doing business in global markets becomes essential, it’s time for communicators to meet the demands of cross-border, multi-country communications. How can companies create seamless campaigns across geographies, in line with the local culture? What makes the customer, the media and the government unique in each country? Listen to Eleanor Tan, a senior communications executive with international experience, a front runner in internal and change communications. 
Eleanor has led communications for 14 APAC offices, driving and implementing programs, working in close consultation and partnership with the regional and global leadership team.

Understand how your collegues want to be communicated to, understand their working styles.

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:02 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 07:51 Skip to the quote.

It’s been widely accepted that if a company invests in its employees, the productivity levels are far higher. Covid has brought to the fore the value of internal communications and the need for a fresh approach. In this episode of Mrigashira, Ray Walsh talks to us on the importance of an employee-first approach, and creating a team of local co-creators, with the right skills, tools and processes to take global employee communications to a new level. 

Ray Walsh is a Communications and internal localization consultant and the author of “Localizing Employee Communications: A Handbook”

I think we are stillrunning organizations that are very traditional and hierarchical.

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:58 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 07:24 Skip to the quote.

How could start-ups / MSMEs take maximum advantage of digital marketing – what works and what doesn’t? What do we need to simplify our storytelling in the digital space that really makes an impact? Does Jargon overwhelm us or do we stay focused on tangible outcomes? To answer these, Madhura Moulik, Co-founder and Director of Skilfinity discusses in this episode with Charu Raizada.

In any start-up, good communication – both internally and externally, is the most vital element for success. Companies that focus on communicating well, typically find that their work proceeds more efficiently and with less stress and friction.
Madhura Moulik, Co-Founder and Director, Skilfinity, enables start-ups and SMEs of any size or industry to drive sustainable change and impact through digital transformation.

Marketing is a long game, and some of the digital outreach that contributes towards keeping you in the long game are organic in nature.

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:49 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 10:59 Skip to the quote.

Each business is a victim of Digital Darwinism and evolving consumer behavior and this makes the job of a digital marketer challenging. We caught up with Anil Nair, CEO of VMLY&R India to understand the upcoming trends in digital marketing. 
Digital marketing is today considered the most powerful way of marketing, and certainly a future shaper.

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:57 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 18:22 Skip to the quote.

With this episode, we step into the world of change and development. If you are working on a social change project or interested in finding your feet in the development space, then listen in to Meena Vaidyanathan, who, along with her team works towards setting the stage for organizations to perform as more socially aware and conscious businesses. 
Meena Vaidyanathan, is a social entrepreneur, founder of Niiti Consulting. She is a change management consultant and a visiting faculty at many institutions on marketing and sustainability. 
Niiti consulting has supported organisations through various stages of development and requirements, from strategy and mentorship to research and documentation to capacity building. They work across a range of industry sectors from agriculture and rural livelihoods, to urban slums, technology and gender safety, to develop solutions that are grounded in reality.

JidJNUmRqRUjwdB5qHVy

Start looking at evaluation processes as a means to bring in better efficiency and better effectiveness.

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:10 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 10:09 Skip to the quote.

There are some companies we look at, admire, and wish to work with them. Those companies have a good sense of what employees are looking for, and truly know how to engage with existing talent and attract potential talent. As the lines blur even more between marketing and recruitment, an insight into company culture, career progression and colleagues, is now a must for job-seekers.
We caught up with Bhaskar Majumdar, Head – Corporate Affairs, Communication and Digital, Egis India, to know more about his experiences in creating a strong employer brand for B2B companies.

Flexibility, Authenticity, clarity, and trust are I think the three key pillars for any company to you know, to work for either internal audience or for the external audience.

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:24 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 14:20 Skip to the quote.

In this episode of Mrigashira, we step into the world of podcasting and understand this digital medium better with Prarthana Sibal, a world-class podcast producer and manager. Prarthana is the Head of Client Services at Pikkal & Co, Asia’s Award-Winning B2B Podcast Agency.

From storytelling to interviews, there are podcasts for everything. If used correctly, podcasting can give your business or your client’s business a major boost by ensuring better customer and market reach, showcasing your industry expertise and forming extensive networks. With a good 23 % increase in podcast consumption in India in 2020, Prarthana Sibal shares insights with us on how to use podcasts as a Communication channel.

Podcast is great for an effective way to actually raise awareness of issues that matter to an organization and to the right audiences.

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:04 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 07:42 Skip to the quote.

“Just like leadership skills or presentation skills that are developed consciously. We need to develop coping skills for pressure. You can’t develop it until you first diagnose it. “

SKIP TO: 00:15 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:53 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 05:52 Skip to the quote.

The effectiveness of everyday communications can be improved by adopting a behavioral science approach. This is possible as behavioral science embraces the cognitive biases and nuances of human behavior.
Kristina Radova – Senior Behavioral Consultant at MINDWORX Behavioral Consulting helps us understand why it is important for brands to identify potential behavioral barriers, for success. She shares her love story with psychology, the surprising results of using behavioral principles, and some hands-on tips.

In order to change people’s mind, first we need to remove the handbrake.

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:09 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 08:37 Skip to the quote.

Anjana Menon has had a long journey as a Content professional. She is also the co-author of the book What’s Your Story?: The Essential Business Storytelling Handbook became a best seller within days of its launch. She is a consultant to CEOs and policymakers, a speaker at global conferences and a columnist. In this podcast, Radha Radhakrishnan speaks to her about her book, content marketing, importance of storytelling and social media strategy. Anjana cautions companies who try to adopt one size fits all and me too kind of approach in their marketing and communications. Listen to this extremely useful podcast with Anjana.

Brands should avoid FOMO trap and ask themselves what they stand for to build greater trust with their target audience.

SKIP TO: 00:15 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:53 Skip the guest intro.

This is just the beginning! 

SKIP TO: 00:15 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

Conversations around purpose and consumer behaviour cannot be complete without addressing consumers dilemma  – who increasingly are looking for sustainable brands, though are challenged for choices and financial viability.

Sustainability cannot be dismissed as a fad – it is fast becoming a way of life. It may mean different things to different people. But those who care enough are willing to weigh the consequences. Why just the consumer, even governments are acknowledging responsible business practices, that are more environment friendly.

In this episode of Mrigashira, Charu Raizada speaks to Lulu Raghavan – a Brand and Design evangelist, Managing Director of Landor & Fitch India. Lulu is an expert in all aspects of brand transformation including creating new brands, refreshing tired brands and optimising brand architecture.

Greenwashing or making a promise that’s very superficial will easily be called out in this digitally transparent world that we live in.

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:27 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 08:35 Skip to the quote.

With many changes in business models, constant shifts in consumer behaviour, it’s important to note that skills that made companies successful in the past, may not be as relevant in the future. Importance of communication research as a guide to identify and explore many inter related elements – is gaining ground.

In this episode of Mrigashira, we speak to Professor Nirmalya Kumar to get a better understanding of the changing consumer behaviour and the value of building a research culture.

Dr. Nirmalya Kumar is one of the leading marketing scholars in the world and a Professor of Marketing at Singapore Management University. He has produced some of the most influential academic research on the topic of interfirm relationships. He has also written multiple books on leadership, branding, private label strategy, global marketing and spoken at several TED Talks on marketing and innovation. 

Everybody can have their own opinion, but you can’t have your own data.

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:45 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 16:15 Skip to the quote.

Content marketing is both art and science. While many are good at the art of content marketing, the science behind it has also become significant with the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. In this episode Radha Radhakrishnan deep dives into this interesting aspect of content creation with Tarun Katial, one of leaders in the media industry with proven expertise in media technology and content creation. 

Artificial intelligence and machine learning tools can help you do content creation and content strategy backed by actual data, not gut instinct and it can help you do them at scale. They also empower you to identify content that finds resonance with your average target audience instead. 

This episode also discusses the future of traditional media or the large media houses. How will they survive? What strategy is going to work and how they can stay relevant to the audience in the long run. Tarun strongly advocates the need for building a multi-content format and investing in building communities. There is a great scope of people paying for good digital content. Traditionally, Indians have been paying for content- print, TV or cable. Digital content consumption is going to be more rewarding as they are able to measure what they get out of the content that they are consuming. 

Large media has to invest in building communities with personalized multi content format.

SKIP TO: 00:15 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:37 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 09:53 Skip to the quote.

Think back to that day when you were driving to work, running late for an important meeting, and your car breaks down. Frustrating, right? That frustration and finding constructive ways to deal with emotions and interact with one another in respectful ways are just a few of the guiding principles behind social emotional learning, or SEL. 

Listen in to become more emotionally aware. Learn to practice compassion for self and others, as well as engaging with compassion in complex systems and work environment, with Dr. Nandini Chatterjee Singh, Senior National Project Officer, UNESCO MGIEP.

Dr. Singh was recognised as one of the Indian women stalwarts in science by The Institute of Mathematical Science in collaboration with The Life of Science, to mark the 2018 International Day of Women and Girls in Science. She is a cognitive neuroscientist who studies what goes on in the human brain especially in association with music, multilingualism, autism and learning disorders.

We cannot thrive in isolation, we can thrive only when the collective thrives.

Dr. Nandini Chatterjee Singh

SKIP TO: 00:18 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:57 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 09:24 Skip to the quote.

As we learn to find our feet amidst changing ways of working and workplace, we wonder about this future of employment or is it now our present? Tabling new insights is Sandeep Sinha, Managing Partner of Lumis Partners.

Sandeep is committed to the world of education and work, backing innovative business models disrupting the world of education and learning; work and livelihood; inner wellness and overall development of human potential to live a fulfilled life.

I think the big challenge on the table is about opportunities

Sandeep Sinha

SKIP TO: 00:21 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:17 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 03:19 Skip to the quote.

Pankaj Mishra is a Co-Founder of FactorDaily and host of Outliers podcast. He believes in humanizing technology, one story at a time. He has been tracking the tech industry for over 20 years now. He discusses innovation in media

The problem is not uncertainty the problem is lack of appetite for trying new things.

Pankaj Mishra

SKIP TO: 00:15 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:36 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 07:03 Skip to the quote.

What is data protection and privacy mean for businesses in India? In simple terms, data privacy is a consumer’s understanding of their rights as to how their personal information is collected, used, stored and shared. It is important to explain the use of personal information to consumers in a simple and transparent manner and in most cases, consumers must give their consent before their personal information is provided. Security professionals must not only protect data, but ensure that they are following these new rules to fully protect their customers and organizations worldwide. How should Indian businesses tackle data privacy and protection related challenges? Here the two most important things are – customers’ data and your own sensitive enterprise data. Akshay also shares his views on the recent face-off between social media companies like Facebook and Twitter and the Indian government.

Privacy & Data protection can’t be a part of information security function alone – it has to be organisation wide function at large.

Akshay Garkel

SKIP TO: 00:15 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:44 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 10:25 Skip to the quote.

Today’s communication landscape calls for a change in the way we engage with different stakeholders. Traditional approaches previously undertaken by companies and organisations are being challenged and somewhere we need to learn, to work as integrated teams. And this means our role as reputation managers needs to reflect knowledge within each of our strategies. We quiz our guest Rahul Sharma to understand how the lines between public policy and corporate communications are slowly merging, leading to a need to adopt an integrated approach.
Rahul Sharma is a Senior Director & Division Head (Public Affairs & Advocacy) with Genesis BCW

In communications, an understanding of policies and regulations is a must now

Rahul Sharma

SKIP TO: 00:20 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:12 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 07:17 Skip to the quote.

Ronaldo’s call for drinking water may have got the global beverage giant to lose 4 billion dollars as speculated or as the supporters argue, the dip may have been a trigger because of many other factors. But the point here is that given the star footballer’s well known fitness regime, super-disciplined diet and his displeasure over his son’s affinity for carbonated drinks, should the organisers been more careful? Or were they trying their luck to please a megabucks sponsor?

As communicators what are the lessons learnt from this incident – Is there a growing consciousness amongst celebrities with regards to what they wish to be associated with? We ask our guest Udita Dutta, Founder Director at Artsmith Concepts & Visions. 

This is the time when a brand also needs to let go of these archaic ways of brand placement thought processes

Udita Dutta

SKIP TO: 00:13 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:39 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 06:28 Skip to the quote.

Gone are the days when glossy ads for that soap or deodorant made us rush to the nearest store. With the consumer being in the driver’s seat – they do not like being told what to do or what to buy. Or even how to interact with brands.

This is partially because social media has completely disrupted the way brands connect with consumers, and also ushered in a totally new business model. Digital technologies enable consumers to experience brands in entirely new ways. Secondly, Consumers continue to feel one with brands which make them view every transaction they do as a reflection of them supporting their own existing value system.

So what do you do when it comes to highly commoditised items like soaps and other personal care products? We questioned Saheli Chatterjee, Senior Manager, Brand PR & Digital Content, Personal Care Products business division, ITC Limited, on the subject.

The expectation from a brand is no longer that they give only quality products.

Saheli Chatterjee

SKIP TO: 00:20 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:21 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 02:59 Skip to the quote.

The new IT rules have received some praise and much criticism, and their impact will start to become clearer as they are implemented. People have even argued that the government does not have the right to change the laws. Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter are challenging the new privacy policy.

In our attempt to safeguard our privacy and freedom of speech, are we missing the big picture? Is right to privacy above national interest? These are some of the questions we asked our guest, Pranjal Sharma.

Pranjal is an economic analyst, advisor and author of India Automated. He leads public discourse at global and national platforms including World Economic Forum. He guides projects on economic forecasting, business intelligence & public diplomacy to interpret policy impact on industry and society. And as most of us know, he spent more than two decades in print, internet and television media, mostly in leadership roles with focus on India’s economic engagement with the world.

You cannot have absolute sense of privacy in an open democratic society, absolute freedom of expression is also not allowed.

Pranjal Sharma

SKIP TO: 00:10 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:00 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 10:10 Skip to the quote.

The pandemic has brought a series of incidents where people went to the courts for medical management issues. Radha Radhakrishnan is joined with renowned Justice S. R. Bannurmath, Former Chief Justice of Kerala High Court, Former Chairman of Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission, to understand how the system is coping up with the pressure of activism.

He says that people are rushing to the courts because of their ultimate faith in the Judiciary. Justice is a Fundamental Right guaranteed to citizens. According to him, it is obligatory to understand how higher judiciary works, especially High court and Supreme Court in the light of judicial activism. The power of judicial activism is available to only superior courts, like High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution and Article 32 of the Constitution to the Supreme Court, no other courts can invoke this principle of or concept of judicial activism. He also talks about how the process of judicial activism started. In his conversation he explains Public Interest Litigation, Locus standi and Sou Motu Power. With the system being almost overburdened, almost a century is lost in litigating. The courts are working on this issue but owing to the problems in the pandemic, a small committee of a legal expert, retired judges can work it out together with the aim to reduce the burden of countless cases.

Judiciary is not to govern the state, it is the duty of the government

Justice S.R. Bannurmath

SKIP TO: 00:15 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:50 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 11:50 Skip to the quote.

This episode features Shereen Bhan – Managing Editor, CNBC-TV18. She shares her views on a lot of issues related to the media in the current circumstances. She says that mainstream media needs a lot of introspection the real needs of the viewer have just been ignored, have been forgotten. they’re not servicing the viewer, or the consumer. And I think that poses an existential issue and an existential threat for the business per se. She sees a bright spot in the regional content and how people are doing exceptional work independently without the backing of a giant media house. They are doing a lot of good work in terms of just bringing you stories from the ground. She also highlights the fact that pandemic has brought a lot of radical changes in the functioning of a news organisation. They have discovered the art of news collection with bare minimum resources.

Pandemic has helped us relearn that you can do a lot with a lean team.

Shereen Bhan

SKIP TO: 00:15 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:30 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 12:36 Skip to the quote.

Zoom back a year – we saw a collapse of many businesses across sectors. Memories are still raw.

The communications industry had its fair share of setbacks. Small businesses got the brunt of it – some on the brink of closure. As we try to pivot back, we felt it was time to speak to someone who had lived the situation and then bounced back.

Drawing from her dynamic experience working with her family-owned company MPIL Steel Structures Ltd, Priyanka Gupta Zielinski, shares some valuable lessons. So if you are someone with your own set up or are planning to don the entrepreneurial hat, this is the episode for you.

Priyanka is a Director with MPIL Steel Structures Ltd and author of ‘The Ultimate Family Business Survival Guide’

We never hear success stories of small businesses. These are the businesses that actually persist against all odds.

Priyanka Gupta Zielinski

SKIP TO: 00:14 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:28 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 05:13 Skip to the quote.

In this episode of Mrigashira, we tune in to the larger discussions around a strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) proposition. The narrative to create value for companies and their shareholders has never been more integral than now for any business. Economist Milton Friedman wrote half a century ago that “It may well be in the long-run interest of a corporation, to devote resources to providing amenities to [its] community or to improving its government. That may make it easier to attract desirable employees, it may reduce the wage bill . . . or have other worthwhile effects.”

Since shareholders and stakeholders do not compete in a zero-sum game. Building a strong connection with broad elements of society creates value and builds resilience into the business model.

ESG is not just CSR, it’s not just sustainability, it’s not just governance, it’s not just good practices. It’s everything.

Trigya Singh

SKIP TO: 00:14 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:28 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 06:45 Skip to the quote.

Founder and CEO of Abhijit Bhaduri and Associates, Abhijit speaks in detail on the issue of generalists versus specialists in the communications industry. He says that we are going to live in a hybrid world and you will find that along the continuum, it’s going to be a continuum. See you will never find that there is just one answer to a question that it’s always going to be a year or somewhere on that spectrum. He explains that in general, you’re a communications person, from a specialist lens, if you look at it, then you are looking at you know let’s say, I’m a digital marketer, versus let’s say I am a social media influencer, it’s pretty much the same at a broader level, the context are different.

Growing people is a great way to create new business models.

Abhjit Bhaduri

Careers in a HYBRID World – Perspective from Abhijit Bhaduri

SKIP TO: 00:16 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:43 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 16:10 Skip to the quote.

An engineer by education and with diversified experience in leading global IT companies, our guest in this episode is Sarika Naik, Chief Marketing Officer & Chairperson, Diversity – India, Capgemini. She says that COVID-19 has completely changed the way communication happens in large organisations. She adds that COVID started in early 2020, and we are still in the throes of the same virus attack, the challenges that we faced last year and the challenges that face us today, there is a dramatic difference between them. The biggest challenge is to ensure that employees feel closer to the organisation despite a prolonged work from home phase. She also underlines the importance of new initiatives such as a policy on domestic abuse which her organisation recently launched. This won’t have been possible if pandemic hadn’t happened. Not only has the importance of communication increased, employees are consuming this communication with a lot more interest in a lot more detail. We believe that today, those organizations that are communicating very transparently, openly are the ones where the employee engagement and the employee performances have not taken a beating.

The first focus was get employees to safety, enable work from home, make sure that business continuity happens.

Sarika Naik

SKIP TO: 00:15 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:40 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 02:04 Skip to the quote.

Amith Prabhu has redefined the way professionals in the communications industry used to communicate with each other. Thanks to his ideas and commitment to the cause, the industry has a structured mechanism to celebrate its existence. His brainchild PRAXIS has grown from strength to strength over the years. He reveals that for events like PRAXIS, it is now more important to get speakers beyond the world of corporate communication and public relations as the focus shifts from media attention to larger issue of reputation management.

We’ll have to find newer ways to do something smarter in the future.

Amith Prabhu

SKIP TO: 00:15 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:38 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 14:42 Skip to the quote.

The ongoing pandemic has forced people to re-think their financial planning and at a time like this a lot of companies in the financial sector are finding it very challenging to engage with their customers. This episode features Srikala Bhashyam, founder of RS Consultants, who talks about the need of an effective communication strategy. She says that a lot of people stopped SIPs, and whatever money they had, they wanted to keep it in their bank account fearing that their family should not suffer. Knee-jerk reactions happened for the first few months. This pandemic has changed the game completely. So now, all industry, whether it is media, communication, IT everybody knows that they can lose a job, and they can be without income. So that is a big change, and everybody’s kind of waking up. Another important aspect to this whole issue is that women have to take the initiative now because even in this era of feminism and equalities somehow women don’t pay so much attention to managing money.

Even in this era of feminism and equalities somehow women don’t pay so much attention to managing money.

Srikala Bhashyam

SKIP TO: 00:16 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:43 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 10:44 Skip to the quote.

It is very important for a communicator working in the agriculture industry to learn and use simplified messages while communicating. The farmers are embracing technology and using digital platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Whatsapp. With growing social media, farmers are keenly looking at learning various methods to make their farm produce better, basically more output per hectare. Interestingly, they have started using social media to educate themselves about the tools and techniques. The farmers are also communicating through the relevant apps also which talk about smart agriculture. They’re not just following their own traditional manners, but are also strongly looking at learning various methods of how to make their farm produce better, educating themselves about the latest tools and techniques. The transparent communication between the brands and consumers builds trust and creates a healthy relationship.

The farmers want to see the benefits, but they are still the traditional kind. So, the influencers are providing the great balance of the friendly neighbourhood trust builder. Two things – responsible communication and proactive communication; the engagement in the industry has been a lot more, not just with people who are directly related to the farm enterprise, but everybody who wants to talk about food – there’s a lot of knowledge and a lot of interest.

Anytime we shut the door on any conversation and dialogue, that is where the problem arises.

Bhavna Imran

SKIP TO: 00:22 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:23 Skip guest intro.

SKIP TO: 10:48 Skip to the quote.

MIT’s study a few years back found that the speed at which false news spreads is several times higher than the debunk news or the fact-finding of that news. This study now suggests that if you show people the fact check later, there is a better chance of revising their views than probably showing them the label before. It is a fascinating point.

Not many people go beyond the headline or the paragraph before they share it with others. Let us not forget it’s been only a decade that we have figured out how much misinformation badly influences our daily lives. You could be a complete nobody. But you may have attained some form of influencer status on some platform, and you have started reaching the people directly. And this engagement is good for the bottom line of the media.

Unless you pay for something, and you’re paying for it through your hard-earned money, you will not value it. 

Jency Jacob

SKIP TO: 00:15 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:33 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 18:20 Skip to the quote.

One of the key issues today both in India and the global arena is the steady erosion of people’s trust in governments, businesses, NGO’s, media – institutions by in large. This has become far more evident during the pandemic era and now as we tussle to step out of the pandemic. The 21^st Annual Edelman trust barometer declares information Bankruptcy at the core. We see a trend towards higher mistrust towards all information sources be it traditional media, social media, search engines, owned media. The spokesperson is under scrutiny. The report also brings to fore the personal and persistent fears of people in the world and in India.

I think we’ve been facing a mounting trust deficit for a very long period of time.

Vikram Chandra

SKIP TO: 00:20 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:36 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 02:21 Skip to the quote.

Networking is considered as one of the most important tools to acquire new business and build new engagements for long-term and short-term goals. A lot of professionals have used the art of networking to their advantage yet there are many who are still not adept at that. This episode features two women Preeti Prayag and Meera Raghunandan, co-founders of Mentoring Matters who have been driving a lot of initiatives to help women professionals network effectively. Meera says that the things like networking and mentoring, all of that seems to be a little extra for the women and they don’t seem to focus on that as much as men seem to take a very long-term view of their career. Preeti feels that its more to do with the way women plan things – when they are younger, they feel that they have to spend more of their personal time on this so these things become less of priority but in reality, that’s not so it just can become a habit as you practice day to day basis and start coming very naturally.

It is the right time for women professionals to focus on mentoring and coaching.

SKIP TO: 00:25 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:53 Skip the guest intro.

Mrigashira celebrates the spirit of womanhood by deep diving into issues pertaining to women, including biases at the policy level, key gaps and steps required to bridge the same. Dr. Deepa Sethi, Mou Chakravorty, Priya Bendre, will be sharing their understanding and wisdom with Charu Raizada.

Unlike most other professions, women already form a very large part of the workforce in communications and other creative professions – 34 percent compared to a national average of 14 percent. However, the challenge before this industry is the high dropout rate. The ratio drops to just 11 percent at senior management positions, and a mere 3 percent in boardrooms.

Mrigashira explores the key gaps associated with women traversing the leadership ladder

SKIP TO: 00:27 Skip the guest intro.

Mrigashira celebrates the spirit of womanhood by deep diving into issues pertaining to women, including biases at the policy level, key gaps and steps required to bridge the same. Dr. Deepa Sethi, Mou Chakravorty, Priya Bendre, will be sharing their understanding and wisdom with Charu Raizada.

Unlike most other professions, women already form a very large part of the workforce in communications and other creative professions – 34 percent compared to a national average of 14 percent. However, the challenge before this industry is the high dropout rate. The ratio drops to just 11 percent at senior management positions, and a mere 3 percent in boardrooms.

Mrigashira explores the key gaps associated with women traversing the leadership ladder

SKIP TO: 00:24 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 02:10 Skip the guest intro.

The toys and games industry got more than its fair share of attention when the government underlined the need to promote local toys. As we look forward this week to the virtual ‘India Toy Fair 2021’, Mrigashira decided to find out a little more about this industry. Our guest in this episode of Mrigashira is Bhavesh Somaya, he talks about how toys and games have helped Bring Home The Fun for families, parents, young adults; reviving the ‘value of indoor play’.

It’s a great time to be a part of the Indian toy industry.

SKIP TO: 00:22 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:57 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 11:51 Skip to the quote.

Anjana Menon – one of the most celebrated business editors in India joins us in this very special episode to talk about twitter controversy. To add a little perspective, recently twitter decided to bring some changes in its labelling policy drawing ire of the government. Anjana says that it’s very hard for any establishment anywhere in the world to control each and every one of those voices, Twitter itself has grown largely as an unregulated platform. There is no regulation over whether it’s Twitter or Facebook, the rules that apply to a lot of other traditional media channels don’t really apply to them. It is imperative that you should have some sort of, regulation, but that should ideally follow some broad principles – principle of transparency and fairness and uniform rules. There must be a due process that’s followed. So, when there is regulation, that regulation mustn’t be arbitrary. This may be challenging since the whole world so polarized now that there is a space for a balanced view whether it’s the U S where you have Republicans versus the Democrats pro Trump versus anti-Trump or in Britain where we have seen fierce competition to own the narrative between those advocating Brexit versus, non-Brexit.

How do you make sure that it’s only going to be a balanced voice? I think that’s where the big challenge is.

Anjana Menon

This episode features students of Commits College in Bangalore who expressed their views on the Myntra logo controversy. There were divergent views but it was heartening to see young minds expressing themselves freely. Some of them felt that most of the Indian population may not have even noticed the resemblance with the supposedly naked women on the Myntra logo and the whole controversy was blown out of proportion. There were others who wondered how a smaller brand would have reacted to this issue? A group of students highlighted the importance of diversity and inclusivity policies and programs so, in a marketing team or in your branding team, it is so important to have a diverse community, who can actually give you a various different perception to avoid such controversies. Overall, it turned to be a deeply engaging chat with some of the brightest young minds which are going to shape the industry in future.

SKIP TO: 00:25 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:43 Skip the guest intro.

The CEO’s credibility is at an all-time low and this calls for a shift in attitude by businesses, as they are expected to fill the void left by the government. Trust is something that must be earned. It is not something that today’s business leaders can take for granted, because both internal workforces and external publics are increasingly cynical. Hence, communications today deserves to be a core function of an organization. It is time the CEO uses it to the company’s best advantage.

To discuss more on the subject, our guest today is Paarul Chand, co-author of ‘A Question of Trust’.

Packed with data and valuable insights from global corporate communications leaders, this book is a go-to for CEOs and business leaders looking to consolidate their brands and cultivate trust.

Our second guest is another debutant author, a Communication and Public Relations expert, Ritu Bararia. Her book “Little Joys of communication’ is a compilation of articles – written based on her own knowledge and learnings as a corporate leader. The book talks about the traditional PR and communication practices that existed when Ritu started her career almost 2 decades back and how the practices transformed and evolved over a period of time and why it is essential to implement a mix of both.

SKIP TO: 00:20 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 02:25 Skip the guest intro.

It’s not easy nowadays to earn consumers’ trust as a brand. Many mistakes and failed campaigns have created a level of distrust that needs further effort to be improved. It’s not impossible though to build trust with your consumers. All you need is the genuine interest in what your consumers expect from you. In this episode of Mrigashira, our first guest is brand guru and strategist Harish Bijoor, Founder of Harish Bijoor Consults Inc.

If you want people to stop killing elephants, you don’t just catch the poachers, you also educate people not to buy ivory says Subhash Kamath, Chairperson Advertising standards council of India (ASCI). Our second guest on this episode was in conversation with Charu Raizada to talk about ASCI’s role and how he has been working relentlessly with his team, since coming in office, earlier last year to bring about new guidelines.

It reinvigorated the world of marketing once again.

Harish Bijoor

ASCI processes are becoming much faster, more responsive, more interactive.

Subhash Kamath

SKIP TO: 00:21 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:53 Skip the guest intro.

PRCAI – Public Relations Consultants Association of India is now all set to play a more decisive role under the leadership of Atul Sharma – the newly elected President of the body. He says that the ongoing pandemic turned out to be an excellent opportunity for the industry to collaborate and find solutions for one another. He further adds that industry came together as a team, shared learnings and gave a voice to the narrative. We did things in a very coordinated and in a very, very streamlined fashion. But this time around, industry looked inwards, was more inclusive, tried to find answers of what were the problems that were plaguing it and that changed the game.

We found counsel from diverse issues. So, I think the learning piece was something which we, which really, we progressed pretty well and considering people had to just log into a machine that worked very well.

Our purpose and our mission at PRCAI is completely focused on making the whole industry professional, ethical and prosperous.

Atul Sharma

SKIP TO: 00:27 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:56 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 11:10 Skip to the quote.

Emkay Global Financial Services report indicates improving recovery for Alcohol companies –  growth in premium spirits and faster recovery in beer since trade reopened post-pandemic. This certainly is good news for the industry as the economic shock of the pandemic on the alcobev industry was tremendous. While sales are looking up, catering for events and large gatherings is unlikely to look up for a while.

The government needed to take a far more pragmatic view during the lockdown, they should have allowed alcobev outlets to function.

Samar Singh Sheikhwat

SKIP TO: 00:29 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:15 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 06:47 Skip to the quote.

Start-ups often struggle to determine the right timing to execute their marketing strategy. Digital marketing, as an important element of their brand building, gets even more complex because of its complex and fast paced nature. Sanjay O S, Lead, Digital Marketing, BYJU’s simplifies it to us in a conversation with Radha Radhakrishnan.

It is important for an entrepreneur venturing in digital marketing to understand the category the business will enter. A lot of content is available on Google, Facebook and YouTube to start with. According to Sanjay, the creation of a website is essential for the business because consumers these days tend to search for the products, they consider for purchase online and it is important for a brand to be discoverable. He further explains a thin line difference between data information that is used for user experience with his consent and the user’s data getting monetized for the benefit of the app which collected user’s data as a part of the terms and conditions.

When he started off with digital marketing, it was on a smaller scale with much more risk-taking opportunities, they were still exploring the consumer needs doing experiments and wanted to ensure that the message of the product reaches the consumer and satisfies them, as back then people were not so flexible spending money with a fulfilled trust in the brand. TV had a big impact on BYJU’s sales through its campaigns which were effectively measured by collecting data analytics for example the number of google searches, app installs etc.

It is very important for a business to be discoverable.

Sanjay O S

SKIP TO: 00:27 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:10 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 05:11 Skip to the quote.

India beyond metropolitan cities is now the new focus area for brands across the spectrum. There are companies that have created a niche for themselves in regional media communication. Our guests are seasoned experts from the hinterland and include Alice Gurum, CEO of Media Pulse PR; Shailesh Goyal, Director, Simulations Public Affairs and Shishir Somani, CEO of Archer communications.

Digitization has brought with it blurring of cross border boundaries. Small towns have become a driving force for ecommerce companies, OTT platforms, FMCG, telecom and more. Yet in the COVID world, brands and companies have been reticent in communicating with their stakeholders in these cities. We at Mrigashira spoke to communication experts, working closely with brands in tier one and two cities to find out if small towns are the future of PR in 2021.

SKIP TO: 00:24 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 02:12 Skip the guest intro.

Piali Dasgupta is the head of communications for Columbia Pacific Communities – India’s largest senior living community operators. It is a part of the Seattle based Columbia Pacific Management. She talks about the exciting opportunities that a very special and untapped sector such as senior community living offers to communications professionals. There are a lot of scope for creativity and need to change the narrative around senior community living which has moved beyond old age homes. She says that changing perceptions happen with a net change in narrative, and how do we change that and that’s where our marketing efforts come into play. Our creative efforts come into play, what we do as a brand comes into play, a brand marketing comes into play, there is obviously a huge role that PR plays as well.

How do you make advertising less of an interruption and intrusion and more of a narrative, by using tools like storytelling, is what we do.

Piali Dasgupta

SKIP TO: 00:29 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 12:56 Skip to the quote.

Metro Cash & Carry India has championed the cause of kirana modernization and digitalization in India. There efforts have led to a spike in Kirana sales by up to 50 per cent. In this episode of Mrigashira, Charu Raizada was in conversation with to know more about how Metro Cash & Carry India has been an enabler in making the ‘Kiranas’ self-reliant and what it takes to communicate for a B2B retail brand.

Communication needs to be much sharper, much more real time to our stakeholders.

Reshma Nandy

SKIP TO: 00:28 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:17 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 02:00 Skip to the quote.

Climate crisis is real and it requires a collective effort from the governments, public and common people to ensure that no more damage is done to the earth. For corporate, it is even a bigger responsibility and therefore sustainability is no more a fancy word but a commitment that they have to fulfil.

Recently Vedanta was recognized by Dow Jones Sustainability Index for its contributions towards a sustainable tomorrow. In less than an year Vedanta’s commitment has improved its rankings to 12 from 21. As the world moves towards embracing climate conscious organizations, companies are forced to rethink about managing their climate related business risks and management strategies.

Lot of the work that we currently engage is focused on improving the efficacy of our processes.

Gaurav Sarup

SKIP TO: 00:29 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:09 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 05:18 Skip to the quote.

The aviation industry not just in India, but the world over came to a standstill, as the pandemic spread its wings earlier this year. As per the Airport Authority of India, the aviation industry reported a 92% fall in revenue. Despite the odds, indigo rose up to the challenge and upped its market share from 48% to 55.5% (Source: recent DGC Airport).

It was not about flight safety, but became a question of health safety.

C Leekha

SKIP TO: 00:29 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:04 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 04:09 Skip to the quote.

Minol heads corporate communications, CSR and business operations for Purvankara, one of the well- known reality companies in South India. At Purvankara she takes pride in how she has made Corporate communication function on responsibility for revenue and profits. She says that the role of communications is very important in business growth since it really handholds the business and management and, and constantly remind them that while it maybe not fully tangible, the value that communication that to the entire business ecosystem is absolutely great. The advent of social media and the value of tangible results that it produces gives us a great opportunity to and tell the management that we deserve a seat at the table. We should have a seat at the table because the organization needs us more now. One of the big things is we need to really start understanding that as communications professionals are the brand custodians, reputation manager and also the first line of defence, which makes their role all the more important.

Communication is probably one of the only functions that is going to be able to humanize the organization.

Minol Ajekar

SKIP TO: 00:14 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:31 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 09:14 Skip to the quote.

In this episode, Madhavan Narayanan speaks on a range of topics from the state of journalism in India, to government’s decision to regulate digital news media and OTT. One of his most interesting observations is how media has evolved over the years. He says that earlier because of various restrictions on costs, you know, the only the educated people could work for the media. Yeah, because it was all about a certain section of well-heeled media, middle class talking to each other, using the newspapers or TV panels as a medium, and the cost of technology in order to own a newspaper or a TV channel about 30-40 years ago, you need to have big capital, prime real estate, location, absolutely. All that is gone. Now, you can now sit in a corner of Amaravati and run a TV channel all over the world, if you want on our YouTube channel. And digital technologies have dramatically lowered the cost of entry. And this is for the broadcasters or people who want to share their opinions. Today I’m doing with my smartphone. I mean, I have 200,000 plus followers on Twitter. So, my follower count is more than the circulation of some new leading newspapers,

You no longer find news, news finds you.

Madhavan Narayanan

SKIP TO: 00:14 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:51 Skip the guest intro.

Debdatta Das is the head of content strategy, digital CNBC TV18 and winner of LinkedIn content 50, India. Debdatta is a content marketing specialist. In this episode she speaks about emerging trends in digital content consumption, and monetization. She says that digitization was the way forward, but it was, it was a slow-moving process. What COVID did was that it snowballed what five years of digitization would look like into a month, and then the whole thing started rolling, in terms of consumption. In addition to this a lot of social media platforms, a lot of digital news platforms, a  lot of television have also gone through a kind of a transformation and giving special attention to veracity of the news, which is going to become a major area of concern in days to come.

Suddenly advertising has become all about ROI.

Debdatta Das

SKIP TO: 00:13 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:49 Skip the guest intro.

WICCI is a body – for the women and by the woman. It is the only body which focuses on women empowerment and women enablement. There are 150 sectors represented today in WICCI.

There are four main activities or mandates for the Council. One is ensuring that we have a good number of networking events where women can participate. In most cases, networking events are paid events. Second, most women in our sector don’t have easy access to mentorship, and they need this. So, having mentoring programs is essential. The third area is up-skilling. We are actively going in that direction to equip and enable women, particularly those who are returning after a break. The fourth area is client roundtables, to talk about best practices within this industry and how women can reach the top and how they can progress in their career.

Communication is an industry with a significant percentage of the younger population. Many are under 35 years of age. These are people who come with a lot of enthusiasm, energy, drive, and ideas. They can experiment, think outside the box and experiment outside the box.

There is much talent over there that’s looking for guidance, looking for direction and looking to move up. And the very fact that all these bodies have existed and yet the number of women progressing to leadership positions is dismal which indicates that there is room for doing a lot more.

There are many bright women around us who have smashed the proverbial glass ceiling to create an identity for themselves. Their hard work, perseverance, and ability to stay afloat despite unfavourable circumstances have made all the difference. However, the fight continues…

Its important for women to not just stay in their careers but also rise.

Kavita Lakhani

SKIP TO: 00:12 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:39 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 06:49 Skip to the Quote.

The episode features Dr. Karthik Nagendra, a serial entrepreneur who has two decades of experience across strategy, marketing, operations and HR. He says customer loyalty is becoming thinner by the day. Brands, particularly the b2b ones, will be able to capture better market share if they harness the power of thought leadership. HE further elaborates that content, strategy and content marketing itself is an emerging area. Thought Leadership is a culture and it’s a mindset. It requires long term sustained efforts before you actually start seeing tangible outcomes of your efforts.

Thought Leadership is a culture. It is a mindset.

Karthik Nagendra

SKIP TO: 00:14 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:43 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 03:37 Skip to the quote.

Public Relations is one of the most stressed professions and stress can also lead to mental health issues. Nikhil Dey, one of the most respected leaders in the communications industry, speaks on the steps agencies are handling mental health issues and stress particularly. He highlights the need to remove stigma attached to mental health issues. He feels that anybody who opens up and has the courage and the comfort to talk about it is going to be one more drop in that ocean. One more person who unmute themselves. One more person who says, Yes, I’m part of the solution, rather than trying to say that, no, this may happen to others, but I’m okay. And it’s not always about, it’s like different days, you have different situations, some days, you can be in a place where you’re really on top of the world. And you don’t have to be always in the in that hollow or in that trap in order to evangelize it. But if you care enough about the topic, and if you’ve seen how, it has helped you bounce back, then even on the day, when you’re on top, you can be a flag bearer for this topic to get more and more people comfortable expressing themselves unmuting themselves taking that step.

Don’t bottle it up, don’t hold it in, find a way to find a solution is the message.

SKIP TO: 00:14 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:36 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 09:33 Skip to the quote.

Karthik Srinivasan, communication strategy consultant, social media expert and award-winning blogger shares his views on social media has helped struggling road side food vendors during pandemic. He says that this is something that transcended from being only remaining with an online platform or a few online platforms to offline action. There was offline action. So, people took action consciously offline, which means they have to leave their house, they have to take their device with them, wear a mask, go out on the road and do something about it, instead of just sitting at home and saying I like I play type a comment or ha or whatever it is, it is very easy to do, clicking on things and saying a few very easy to do a dime a dozen all over the place. But to get them out and do something is a big deal.

Positivity spreading like wildfire is good for everybody.

Karthik Srinivasan

SKIP TO: 00:17 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:08 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 09:24 Skip to the quote.

Our guest in this episode is legendary R Sridhar, Speaker, Ideation Facilitator, Executive Coach and Author. He tells us the importance of ideation and innovation in challenging times. And what people in our sector can do to ideate better. He says that it’s absolutely imperative that we start looking for new ways of doing things, new ways of serving customers, new ways of keeping in touch, new ways to demonstrate that we care. So, everybody’s in terms of business, everybody’s under pressure, the customer is under pressure.

He further explains that you have to understand your customer, understand his point, and I have to be able to go with a new idea that actually solve this problem, or help him, you know, actually seize new opportunities.

The core value is delivering value through new ideas.

R Sridhar

SKIP TO: 00:21 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 02:33 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 05:56 Skip to the quote.

Two years ago, Google had introduced voice search in nine Indian languages on Google Assistant. Today, Hindi is the second most used assistant language globally after English we know the language diversity in our country. But what role can Indian language play online. Has Indian language finally found its voice online? In this episode B G Mahesh – pioneer of digital technologies in Indian languages answers all these questions. He also shares his insights on key issues such as Indian language technology itself has moved online, I mean, whether it is by way of search, for example, or whether it is by way of translation or now the voice-based services, how much has it changed?

The innovation will actually come in the Indian language according to me.

B G Mahesh

SKIP TO: 00:19 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 02:16 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 12:10 Skip to the quote.

Indrajit Gupta is a business journalist and editor with more than two decades of experience. He is now the Co-Founder and Director at Founding Fuel. As one of the few successful media entrepreneurs in the country, he talks about how his journalistic experience helped him become a successful media entrepreneur. He feels that quality is always more important than quantity to ensure long lasting success. At the same time, there is a need to constantly evolve with time instead of being a passive entity which is stuck to old formulas for ages.

SKIP TO: 00:29 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:09 Skip the guest intro.

This episode also features Ashwani Singla, Founding Managing Partner, Astrum – Reputation Advisory, to talk to us on new advertising code in conversation with Radha Radhakrishnan. Ashwani stressed upon the need to do necessary checks and balances by the celebrities before they take up any endorsement project. He also maintains that it may not be possible for celebrities to figure out how a product will perform over a period of time but due diligence should be done irrespective of this fact.

SKIP TO: 00:29 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:44 Skip the guest intro.

As head of communications at Amazon India, Minari Shah handles one of the largest communications teams in the country. In this episode she opens up on how the business has changed in a post COVID-19 era. She elaborates further on innovative steps that Amazon has taken to ensure communications remains meaningful for all stakeholders. Though she admits that work from home has diminished boundary between professional and personal life, she also feels that this is how we are going to be working for a long time now.

The massive preparations that have gone into ensuring total customer satisfaction has taught her a lot – specially keeping the team morale high against all odds. She also highlights the importance of empathy while dealing with team members at a time when everyone is fighting a battle in their personal life.

Human mind when pushed will innovate and find a way out.

Minari Shah

SKIP TO: 00:29 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 01:01 Skip the guest intro.

SKIP TO: 12:07 Skip to the quote.

ASCI – Advertising Standard Council of India opted to hire a PR agency for the first time. What prompted this body to look out for a communication agency? We spoke to Jaideep Shergill of Pitchfork Partners, the agency which got the mandate, to get more insights into this development.

This episode also has an interesting conversation with Sonali Madbhavi, Communication Head, Quikr India on her fetish for sarees and how saree helped her create a unique identity for herself at the workplace.

Anshul Sushil of Wizikey talks about how technology is helping brands to penetrate deeper into the regional media. He also shares why visibility is a key requirement for all the brands.

SKIP TO: 00:25 Skip the Mrigashira intro.

SKIP TO: 00:47 Skip the guest intro.

The first episode of this series turned out to be a special one with great insights from some of the top industry veterans like Vikram Chandra, Melissa Arulappan and Harish Bijoor.

In this exclusive chat Vikram shares his perspective on how digital consumption of news is going to bring in the much-needed democratisation of news. He also explains how he is using artificial intelligence to empower the audience.

Melissa Arulappan – a noted leader in the communications industry shares her views on providing a level playing field to women employees in the industry.

A brand expert like Harish Bijoor also shares some interesting observations on Dhoni choosing a new age platform like Instagram to announce his retirement. 

SKIP TO: 01:03 Skip the Mrigashira intro.