Pune Chapter: Enthusiasm Un-bound!

Here are the snapshots of events organised by our Pune Chapter, building the Brand PRCI.

Vikram Kharvi launches his first book – PRactice What you PReach

NEW DELHI: A seasoned PR practitioner, lecturer and a blogger – Vikram Kharvi, launched his first book focusing on the world of Public Relations industry during the 9th Global Communication Conclave organised by PRCI in the capital on March 13, 2015.

COAI Director General Rajan Mathews and Editors Guild India's General Secretary Ajay Upadhyay released the book which is an insider’s account about the changing face of public relations. Published by Revelation House, the book aims to provide practical solutions to common problems faced by PR practitioners.  

Mr Rajan Mathews, DG of COAI, launching Vikram Kharvi's book

The author has provided comprehensive answers to myriad questions including what constitutes PR, how a PR practitioner interacts with the media and how one can communicate effectively. Public Relations requires a lot from its practitioners – be it communication, knowledge, skill, writing ability, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence etc. Through this book, Vikram intends to bring up all these essential ingredients and discuss them in detail.

Author, Vikram Kharvi says, “This book will provide the practicing PR professionals with tips and tricks of the trade and for the students of public relations across all levels it is aimed to be an invaluable study aid and a quick peek into the industry they plan to enter. I sincerely hope that the educators too find it useful.”

Mr. Madan Bahal, MD, Adfactors PR, in the Foreward of the book cites, “Vikram has done a fine job in explaining why it is imperative for a PR professional to keep oneself updated at all times. Indeed, a PR consultant needs to engage with multiple stakeholders from different walks of life and develop multi-faceted relationships with each community.

He has drawn beautiful parallels to the art of PR with examples from mythology and metaphorical situations. This, I believe, will make the book an easier and more interesting read among budding and prospective PR practitioners.”

Mr. Brotin Banerjee, MD & CEO, Tata Housing in the Preface says, “With the changing times, especially with the internet playing an important role, across all industries that rely on communication, the world of PR and communications has been dramatically altered. To be successful in such a dynamic industry, PR and communication professionals need to stay on the learning curve 24 x 7. I hope this book reaches the right people and in the process of reading this, they are enlightened about the marvelous world of PR and communications.”

9th Global Communication Conclave pix on slide show

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Press Council must get more teeth, says Prasar Bharati Chief

• Media self-regulatory mechanism appears inadequate,
• says A Surya Prakash
• Addresses PRCI Global Communication Conclave
• DD reviving news programmes, looking for new ratings agency
• Conclave delegates express concern at ethical standards among media and PR professionals

NEW DELHI: Expressing concern at the “inadequate’ self-regulatory mechanism within media, Prasar Bharati Chairman A. Surya Prakash has suggested that the Press Council must become a Media Council with adequate media representation and acquire more teeth.   

Some of the private news channels have been creating noise during their prime time shows ignoring the news content. Viewers could now watch DD News or listen to All India Radio (AIR) is they were tired of the ‘noise channels’, he said and pointed out that “each and every Indian is a stake holder in Prasar Bharati since it depends on Union budgetary support - about Rs 2,100 crore out of its Rs 4,000-crore budget in the current financial year. Its own revenue generation was around Rs 1,650 crore as of now and with increased focus on internal revenue generation, this was expected to improve.  

Mr Surya Prakash, who is himself if a veteran journalist, was addressing an open session at the 9th Global Communication Conclave organized by the communication industry body Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) in the capital.

Mr Rajan Mahew, DG, COAI

Earlier during a panel discussion on media and PR ethics, delegates expressed concern over the recent developments that led to unpleasant developments. Responding, Editors Guild general secretary Ajay Upadhyay said the entire media community need not be painted with the same brush just because of some perceived unethical practices. Most media houses do have gatekeepers in the form of strong news desks and editors to check the flow of the news into the newspapers and channels.

Veteran journalist Mr K A Badarinathi, Editor-Poicy at Financial Chronicle, explained that media persons in general take adequate care while using tones of information that they get in the process of collecting the news.

During the two-day conclave that concluded on Saturday, communication professionals took part in panel discussions on media and PR ethics, CSR, financial inclusion, youth, technology and sexual harassment at workplace during the two-day Conclave ended on Saturday evening.

Rajan Mathews, Director General of Cellular Operators Association of India who delivered the keynote address, pointed out that misinformation is being spread on the so-called radiation effects from cell phone towers whereas there is no scientific evidence of such an impact. The mobile tower radiation emission standards that are being practiced in India are much more stringent than the western and European norms, he said.

Panel discussion on Financial Inclusion: 

Participating in a panel discussion on financial inclusion, former CMD of Canara Bank Rajiv Dubey said media should play a major role in increasing the financial literacy in the country, while Mr Shubhrangshu Neogi, Director and Head of Marketing & Brand-Religare emphacised the need to cut the jargon and simplify the flow of information to the masses. Financial services companies to need to involve PR machinery to educate the people about various plans and schemes and ensure inclusive growth, said Mohit Rochlani, CMO of IndiaFirst Life Insurance.
Discussion moderator and senior financial journalist Ritukant Ozha said media has an important role to play in furthering the cause of financial inclusion and asked financial institutions to be transparent in their communication with journalists.

M B Jayaram, Chairman Emeritus & Chief Mentor - PRCI 

Based on the suggestions from speakers, PRCI has decided to launch an awareness drive for adopting ethical practices among public relations practitioners and conduct skill development programmes for professionals to understand the functioning of media and its information needs, Mr M B Jayaram – Chairman Emeritus and Chief Mentor of PRCI, said.

Mr Surya Prakash said in his speech that the news packages on Doordarshan and All India Radio are being revamped to make them contemporary and appealing to the audience. The average age of employees at Prasar Bharati was 50 plus because of the absence of a Prasar Bharati Recruitment Board. There was need for fresh infusion of talent and therefore there was urgent need to have the recruitment boards in place.

Side by side, he explained, work was on to change the look and feel of the news channel and programmes and to get over the “Sarkari mindset” within the organization. “We have been working towards setting up a Prasar Bharati Recruitment Boards to work towards this goal,” he said to a question.

Editors Guild General Secretary (left) being
felicitated by CJ Singh, vice president (NE-PRCI)

Prasar Bharati is also looking forward to a new rating agency as the present system of gauging TRPs is woefully inadequate. “Hopefully, once the new system is in place, we will have a more authentic gauge of our viewership and listenership” he said.

Prasar Bharati is also in the process of strengthening its social media presence. For instance, DD has 610,000 followers and AIR 510,000 on the twitter and this is not enough. “We need to take a big leap forward,” he said and pointed out that the Republic Day parade video has over two million hits on Youtube and “this is a pointer to the rewards one gets for quality programming”. 

PRCI also felicitated PR professionals with Hall of Fame awards and presented the Chanakya Awards for exemplary performance.

Global Communication Conclave discusses media ethics

NEW DELHI: The vexed issue of Media and Corporate ethics came under sharp focus at a two-day communication conclave to be held in the capital on March 13 and 14,2015.

Organised by industry body Public Relations Council of India (PRCI), the 9^th Global Communication Conclave had senior journalists, communication professionals and corporates discussing  the issue at a panel discussion on ‘The Ethical Connect: Are We Losing it?’

The Conclave was a grand success. Over 400 delegates participated in the conclave and many of them actively involved themselves in panel discussions.

Headquartered at Bengaluru, PRCI has Chapters pan-India - Bareilly, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hubli-Dharwar, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Khandala Ghat, Kerala, Kolkata, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Manipal, Mumbai, Mysore, Pune, Solapur, Shimoga, Goa and Varanasi. The members are drawn from across private and public sector companies, PR and advertising agencies and universities and media colleges.

Om Shanti! Rajayogi BK Suraj Bhaiji  on Communication for Global Peace  Harmony

Chief Guest Rajan Mathews and guests of honour lighting the auspicious lamp to mark inauguration of the Conclave

  

The conclave began with the guests and delegates paying homage to veteran journalist Vinod Mehta who passed away a week ago

Homage to veteran journalist Vinod Mehta

Homage to veteran journalist Vinod Mehta

 “We at PRCI firmly believe in ethical practices for communicators. In fact, we have designed a code of ethics for our members. The issue assumes significance in view of the latest controversies over ethics and we do hope that the discussions will result in increased awareness about the need for keeping media-PR relationships above board,” said Mr M B Jayaram, Chairman Emeritus and Chief Mentor of the organization.

PRCI Chairman Emeritus and Chief Mentor making opening marks

Conclave Programme Committee Chairman B N Kumar explaining the theme and sessions to come at the Conclave and moderating the first Panel Discussion: Ethical Connect - Are we Losing it?

Veteran journalists Mr Ashok Upadhyay, General Secretary - Editors Guild of India and Mr K Badarinath – Policy Editor at Financial Chronicle, Ms Sharada Subramaniam (CAG – North) and CII director Shubha Rajan took part in the discsussion, moderated by PRCI vice president and conclave programme committee chairman B N Kumar.

Mr Rajan Mathews, Director General of Cellular Operations Association of India (COAI) will delivered the keynote address.

The two-day meet also discussed technology-people connect and aspects relating to financial inclusion, CSR and the youth. About 300 delegates from all over the country and some from abroad are expected to attend the two-day conclave

Thank you sirs: C J Singh - PRCI Vice President thanking Rajan Mathews and Ajay Upadhyay

Senior journalist K A Badarinath making a point on Ethics in Media

We keep a close watch: Sharada Subramaniam of CAG (North) presenting her views

"I am a teacher, Let me speak," says Prof Radhakrishna

Question Time

Why isnt media behaving with a sense of responsibly - a question during panel discussion on Ethics