Hill+Knowlton Strategies bolsters India operations with new leadership structure

Featured

Posted on April 12, 2013 by IPAN HK Strategies

IPAN Hill+Knowlton Strategies’ Radhika Shapoorjee promoted to President – South Asia, and Sara Gourlay appointed Chief Operating officer – India

Gurgaon, April 12, 2013 – Hill+Knowlton Strategies, one of the leading and most respected public affairs and public relations firms in the world, today announced a new leadership structure in India. These promotions reflect a growing focus on India and Asia by H+K Strategies globally.

Radhika Shapoorjee, a member of IPAN H+K Strategies since 2007, has been promoted to President – South Asia, which includes India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. She had served as president of IPAN H+K Strategies since 2008.

Sara Gourlay, who joined H+K Strategies in 2000, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer for IPAN H+K Strategies, based in New Delhi. She had most recently been serving as the client service director for the region encompassing Africa, India, the Middle East and Turkey, having previously worked with H+K Strategies in Singapore, Qatar, Kuwait and the UK.

Shapoorjee joined IPAN in March 2007 as Vice President, and was elevated to lead the firm as President in March 2008. In 2009, she was instrumental in the integration of IPAN with Hill+Knowlton Strategies. Since then it has been a journey of implementing global best practices, training, and winning businesses for the firm across sectors, including Technology, Telecom, Media & Entertainment, as well as government and industry associations. She has built a strong team that has grown under her leadership, and there has been consistent growth in revenues and profitability for the firm over the years.

As COO, Sara Gourlay will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the businesses across five IPAN H+K Strategies offices, including client servicing and retention, business development, practices development, talent development, and operational management. She brings invaluable experience and the ability to bring unmatched global expertise and processes into India, to strengthen the IPAN H+K Strategies team.

Shapoorjee commented: “I am delighted, and truly privileged to chart out and drive the next phase of growth for IPAN Hill+Knowlton Strategies in the region. I will also be looking at strategic business initiatives that will expand and enhance our role in the communications industry in India and the South Asian region. We have built a strong leadership team in India, and our local knowledge, experience and talent, infused with international expertise and networks, will go a long way in enhancing our service offering for our clients. I give Sara a warm Indian welcome, and wish her all the best in her new role here, as we embark on our next phase of growth as a global public relations consultancy.”

“India is a magical, intoxicating and absorbing country, and the opportunity to play a role in driving our business forward in that market is compelling,” Gourlay added. “We have an established team of bright, engaged professionals and an established heritage of excellence in market, and we are looking to build on that to increase our offer for India at a pivotal point in the country’s history. On a personal note, I look forward to being a part of the IPAN H+K Strategies team, a team that has always impressed me with its drive, commitment and ambition.”

About IPAN Hill+Knowlton Strategies

With five offices across India, IPAN Hill+Knowlton Strategies (www.hkstrategies.in) is a leader in both public relations and public affairs. The company is one of the leading and most respected public affairs and public relations firm in the country. It specializes in corporate communications, public affairs, marketing communications, crisis, finance, technology, media & entertainment, and digital communications. IPAN Hill+Knowlton Strategies has a network of offices in five major cities staffed by skilled PR practitioners. It has over 140 people and operations in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata and local affiliations that reach over 100 cities across India.

IPAN merged with Hill+Knowlton Strategies in 2009. Its parent company, Hill+Knowlton Strategies Inc., has 90 offices in 52 countries as well as an extensive associate network and is a member of WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY) (www.wpp.com), one of the world’s largest communications services groups.

For more information, contact:

Pranav Sawhney | +91 96506 43355 | pranav.sawhney@hkstrategies.com

Follow us on:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IPANHKStrategies

Twitter: @IPAN_HKS

IPAN Hill & Knowlton is now IPAN Hill+Knowlton Strategies

Featured

Posted on September 18, 2012 by IPAN HK Strategies

In line with the global transition of our name from Hill & Knowlton, to H+K Strategies, it gives us great pleasure to announce that IPAN Hill & Knowlton will now be known as IPAN Hill+Knowlton Strategies.

So what does this name change really mean for us, and the industry?

With the diversity and democratization of publishing today, the public has access to information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — and we and our clients increasingly acknowledge, that as businesses, it is imperative we continually interact with our publics.

But interaction without a deep understanding of our audiences and without a clear communication strategy, is of no use. Which is why, it is our global mandate, as specialists in this area, to provide this wisdom and understanding to our clients, and in turn help publics understand our clients better.

As our Global Chairman and CEO Jack Martin says, “we have to put ‘the public’ back into public relations, in new and engaging ways like never before”.

Our new identity of IPAN Hill+Knowlton Strategies helps define who we are, and will be a constant reminder of our mandate!

This move also adds to our reputation of offering cutting-edge thinking, and best possible service to our clients – something which has been a tradition for us, at IPAN Hill+Knowlton Strategies, even in our previous avatar!

IPAN Hill & Knowlton re-brands as IPAN Hill+Knowlton Strategies

Posted on September 18, 2012 by IPAN HK Strategies

Leading Indian Public Relations & Communications firm announces new name, brand and website

New Delhi, September 18, 2012: IPAN Hill & Knowlton today announced a change in its name to IPAN Hill+Knowlton Strategies, as part of its global shift in corporate identity. This change is in line with the rebranding of Hill & Knowlton, the leading international communications consultancy.

“The new brand points to a shifting market for our clients, one with an explosion of information and a revolution in the ability of almost everyone to find that information. This democratisation of information is fundamentally changing the way they do business” said Jack Martin, Global Chairman and CEO, Hill+Knowlton Strategies.

Radhika Shapoorjee, President, IPAN Hill+Knowlton Strategies, India, said: “The renaming reflects a renewed emphasis on strategic communications advice that ensures a client’s business imperatives are achieved.” Shapoorjee continued, “We believe that the public is at the centre of the client’s business and we can help build a positive influence and sentiment across the various stakeholders backed by research and insight, built upon a rich heritage of our public relations strength.”

Continue reading →

A perspective on India

Posted on September 18, 2012 by IPAN HK Strategies

Welcome to India – The cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition… according to none less than Mark Twain.

Indian history dates back over 5000 years to the Harappan culture, better known as the Indus Valley Civilization. We invented the number system and Aryabhatta created zero which plays such a big role in finance. Our Vedas pioneered aspects of surgery, medicine, music and house building, among various other teachings. The west today swears by yoga, which has its roots to India, where it was a way of life and not a fitness routine.

Continue reading →