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In this episode of COMMSCAST, The Reputation Podcast powered by Adfactors PR, Srikanth Ayyappan, Senior Director, Marketing and Strategy, Parexel India, joins Christina Dsouza Lasrado, Group Head – Integrated Healthcare Practice (IHCP), Adfactors PR, for a deep-dive conversation on what it takes to communicate in one of the world’s most regulated industries.

Srikanth shares his career journey from IBM and Agilent to Parexel, reflecting on curiosity, adaptability, and resilience as defining traits for communicators. He explains how healthcare marketing sits at the intersection of authenticity, empathy, compliance, and technology — and why simplifying complex ideas for patients, caregivers, and stakeholders is both a challenge and a responsibility.

The conversation explores:

• Marketing in highly regulated environments and why authenticity and clarity matter
• The balance of credibility and empathy in storytelling
• The evolving role of generative AI as a “super-assistant” — powerful but not a replacement for human creativity and judgment
• Reputation as a shared responsibility across the organization, not just leadership
• The value of client–agency partnerships rooted in clarity, credibility, and trust
• Srikanth’s advice to young professionals on simplifying complexity, focusing on people, and connecting the dots across silos
• His recommended must-read: The Brand New 50 by Tom Peters, on building authentic personal brands

A thoughtful, wide-ranging dialogue, this episode is packed with insights for communicators in healthcare, regulated industries, and beyond.

Listen now to COMMSCAST, The Reputation Podcast powered by Adfactors PR — featuring Srikanth Ayyappan in conversation with Christina Dsouza Lasrado — for a compelling perspective on the evolving craft of communication.

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How does a central bank earn and maintain public trust over decades? What is the real art of crisis communication in the financial world? And how can communications leaders shape narratives in an institution as opaque and mission-critical as the Reserve Bank of India?

In this insightful episode of CommsCast – The Reputation Podcast powered by Adfactors PR, host Manibalan Manoharan, Senior Group Head – Digital at Adfactors PR, is joined by Alpana Killawala, veteran communicator and former Head of Communications at the RBI, who, for the past four years and more, serves as Strategic Advisor at Adfactors PR.

Alpana shares her learnings from working with six Governors of the Reserve Bank of India, shaping the RBI’s external and internal communication strategy during some of India’s most significant economic transitions. Drawing from her book A Fly on the RBI Wall, she offers stories, lessons, and behind-the-scenes insights on what it takes to communicate for a central bank that balances confidentiality with credibility.

Tune in to learn about:

• RBI’s evolving communication strategy
• How media relations were managed across governors
• Best practices in financial PR and strategic communication
• Transitioning from journalism to institutional communications
• Reputation management in high-stakes policy environments

Whether you're a communications professional, financial analyst, journalist, or student of public affairs, this episode offers a rare view into the storytelling and transparency that shape India's financial messaging.

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This episode of CommsCast – The Reputation Podcast powered by Adfactors PR features Aditya Chatterjee, author of The Evolution of Our Gods and Vice President at Adfactors PR, in conversation with Pavan R Chawla, Founder-Editor of Mediabrief.com.

Aditya shares the journey behind his remarkable book, which blends photography with deep insights into how India’s depictions of divinity have evolved over time. Described by kiran khalap as “seminal,” the book is built on more than 75,000 kilometers of travel and over 1,000 photographs, and it explores India’s spiritual and iconographic heritage in both visual and philosophical dimensions.

The conversation also explores reputation management in the age of AI, with Aditya highlighting why authenticity and curiosity are more important than ever for communications professionals.

The Evolution of Our Gods is a powerful reminder of the value of cultural understanding in crafting impactful communication. 

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Episode 3 of CommsCast - The Reputation Podcast Powered by Adfactors PR features Sandra Stahl, cofounder of jacobstahl (now a Ruder Finn company), lecturer, and award-winning author, in conversation with Christina A Dsouza, Senior Account Director and Co-Lead of the Integrated Healthcare Practice at Adfactors PR. This episode explores Sandra’s three-decade-long career in public relations, particularly within healthcare, and her journey from the 1980s to becoming an agency co-founder.

The growing importance of reputation and communications: Sandra discusses her latest book, ‘Shifting Sands: Building Reputation in an Evolving Landscape’, highlighting the increasing significance of reputation in a world filled with grievances, misinformation, and rapid technological change. With India’s business landscape evolving, she emphasizes how strong communication strategies are essential for companies looking to attract investment and top talent.

New tools and technologies for communications professionals: The conversation delves into the latest tools in the communications industry, particularly AI, data analytics, and automation. Sandra stresses that while these technologies enhance efficiency, professionals must go beyond just using them—they must humanize the data, extract meaningful insights, and craft messaging that resonates with audiences.

The do’s and don’ts of reputation management: Christina and Sandra explore the critical aspects of reputation management, emphasizing authenticity, transparency, and proactive engagement. Sandra warns against inconsistent messaging and silence during crises, urging companies to communicate consistently and actively with their stakeholders.

The structure and accessibility of Sandra's book Shifting Sands: Sandra shares how ‘Shifting Sands’ is designed as a practical, non-linear guide for PR professionals. By focusing on clarity and accessibility, she ensures that readers can apply the book’s insights immediately, without being bogged down by industry jargon.

Balancing technology with human relationships in communication: Despite rapid technological advancements, Sandra asserts that strong human relationships remain at the core of effective communication. She highlights the need for PR professionals to stay informed about the evolving media landscape while maintaining personal, meaningful engagement with their audiences.

Insights from teaching experiences in India and the U.S.: Reflecting on her experiences as a lecturer, Sandra praises the curiosity and insightfulness of Indian students and emphasizes the importance of listening skills and empathy in PR. She believes young professionals must approach communication through the lens of their audience to be effective.

Future readiness and the role of PR in risk mitigation: Sandra outlines how communications plays a key role in future readiness and risk mitigation, helping companies navigate uncertainty through scenario planning and proactive messaging. She stresses that organizations must prepare for disruptions while strengthening internal communications to keep employees engaged.

The necessity of a strong reputation in today’s business landscape: Sandra reinforces that a strong reputation is not just a soft asset but a strategic necessity, impacting customer loyalty and financial success.

So here is Sandra Stahl in conversation with Christina A Dsouza, offering valuable insights from her book and experience. ‘Shifting Sands’ serves as a roadmap for navigating the complexities of communication in a fast-changing world. Listen to the episode, and share i

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This, the second episode of CommsCast – The Reputation Podcast powered by Adfactors PR, features Shweta Munjal, Chief - Communications and CSR at Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, in conversation with Noumaan Qureshi, Healthcare Communications Expert at Adfactors PR, who hosts this episode.

With an impressive background in communications that spans more two decades and industries including IT, FMCG and healthcare, Shweta brings a wealth of experience and insights to the conversation, making it a must-listen for PR professionals and enthusiasts alike.

The two discuss evolving communication in healthcare, emphasizing reputation building, crisis readiness, and AI's role. Shweta shares insights on client partnerships and ESG communications, providing valuable advice for emerging PR professionals. Tune in for key strategies to enhance communication and reputation.

Shweta shares her diverse career journey from NASCOM and Yahoo to global roles at Cadbury and Thomson Reuters, offering insights into the evolving intersection of technology and healthcare in communications. She highlights how the pharmaceutical industry's reliance on technology shapes PR strategies.

Discussing cross-industry lessons, Shweta stresses reputation-building, likening it to scientific discovery. She underscores the importance of proactive crisis readiness, advocating for stakeholder involvement to enhance preparedness and shift from reactive to anticipatory strategies.

AI's role in PR is explored, with Shweta cautioning against over-reliance while emphasizing its value in cultural insights and messaging. She discusses global communication challenges, highlighting the need for genuine audience understanding beyond localization.

She also examines client-consultancy partnerships, emphasizing trust and accountability. On ESG communications, she advocates for storytelling that reflects genuine commitment to sustainability. For emerging PR professionals, Shweta advises continuous learning, reading, cultural engagement, and mentorship.

So here’s Shweta Munjal, Chief - Communications and CSR at Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, who, in conversation with Noumaan Qureshi, Healthcare Communications Expert at Adfactors PR, on the second episode of CommsCast – The Reputation Podcast powered by Adfactors PR. Shweta provides a comprehensive overview of the changing dynamics in communications and reputation management, equipping listeners with strategies and perspectives that are crucial for thriving in today’s fast-paced and often unpredictable landscape. Tune in for an engaging conversation with actionable insights that can empower young PR professionals to drive effective communications and enhance the reputation capital of clients and their own organizations. Thank you for your time!

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This, the first episode of COMMSCAST, our new podcast series for Reputation Management professionals, features Chennakeshav Shenoy (CK), Senior Group Head at Adfactors PR, and Michelle Francis, AVP - Corporate Brand & Communications at Godrej Industries Group. Both are accomplished professionals in the ever-evolving world of Public Relations and Reputation Management and share interesting insights and points to ponder that will help other young professionals in the space of Reputation Management.

Michelle highlights the transformation of public relations from traditional methods to digital strategies, emphasizing the critical role of storytelling in engaging audiences. She shares her journey from Madhya Pradesh to Mumbai, reflecting on how data analytics has become integral to shaping modern PR. Michelle discusses the need for narratives that align with business objectives and addresses challenges like gaining stakeholder acceptance. She showcases Godrej's innovative communication initiatives, which integrate purpose-driven storytelling to foster deeper consumer connections and brand loyalty.

The conversation explores the PR industry's evolution over the past decade, with a shift from media-centric approaches to comprehensive, two-way digital strategies. 


Michelle underscores the importance of balancing traditional storytelling with digital agility to meet evolving market demands. She emphasizes the need for PR professionals to craft impactful, authentic narratives while achieving measurable outcomes. 


Highlighting the timeless value of human connection in today’s digital world, Michelle offers insights on adaptability and the enduring art of storytelling, inspiring professionals to remain relevant and relatable in a dynamic industry.

Michelle and CK discuss the importance of human connection in an increasingly digital landscape, recognizing the timeless value of personal engagement in fostering brand sentiment. Michelle's reflections on her journey and her advice to emerging professionals emphasize the need for adaptability, openness to feedback, and the drive to remain authentic and relatable.

So, here’s the inaugural episode of CommsCast, the new podcast series from MediaBrief.com. We hope you too find the conversation between Chennakeshav Shenoy and Michelle Francis as inspiring and engaging as we did. We also hope that some of the insightful takeaways we’ve shared in the infographic above will help every custodian of Corporate Reputation in their quest for professional excellence and impact in the truly dynamic, ever-evolving field of Public Relations and Communications for Reputation Management.



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