The power is in the hands of PR professionals: Pooja Thakran
Pooja Thakran won the ‘Communication of the Year’ title at the e4m Women Achiever Awards 2023
The PR and Corp Comm industry is unpredictable and dynamic as no one can predict which new trend will come up in the next moment. To move forward in such moments, women leaders play an important role. So, to celebrate the spirit of the women leaders for mentoring the next generation of professionals in the PR and Corp Comm industry, exchange4media presents the 4th edition of e4m Women Achievers' Awards 2023.
The awards honored the remarkable contributions of numerous incredible women leaders, achievers, and trendsetters who have shattered glass ceilings, overcome challenges, and paved the way for a more inclusive and diverse future in the PR and Comm Industry.
Today, we have Pooja Thakran, Senior Director, Corporate Communications and CSR, Honeywell, who was felicitated as ‘Communication of the Year’ at the e4m PR & Corp Comm Women Achiever Awards 2023. She is a passionate and gifted communications professional who holds over three decades of experience in leading employee communication initiatives, general management, PR, brand building, influencer engagement, crisis handling and social media management and more.
Edited Excerpts:
Congratulations on your win at the e4m PR & Corp Comm Women Achievers Awards 2023. How do you feel?
Thank you for this honour! Winning this award is humbling and gratifying experience. This award isn't just a personal achievement, but a testament to the power of an impactful team of professionals coming together to drive strong business narrative.
As communicators, we have the responsibility to enhance corporate storytelling that resonates and builds the right business environment for companies to operate and thrive. This recognition motivates me to continue advocating for the power of communication and inspiring others to harness its potential for business growth. Effective communication helps us connect, grow and inspire communities.
What inspires you on your journey and endeavours?
My motivation in PR and Corp Comm is deeply rooted in the business impact that we can create as communicators. I find inspiration in crafting strategies for business communications and campaigns that help us attract talent, customers and favorable policy environment.
Witnessing the tangible impact of transparent and strategic communication on both individuals and organizations is empowering. The dynamic nature of this field serves as a constant challenge, compelling me to constantly learn and evolve. Ultimately, I am driven by the ability to mold perceptions, forge lasting relationships, and contribute to the success of our brand, making this journey exceptionally rewarding.
In what ways have you witnessed the PR and corporate communications industry change and evolve over the years? What global practices would you see implemented in India?
Over the years, the PR and corporate communications industry has transformed with the rise of digital platforms, social media and now the disruption caused by Gen AI. Real-time communications and storytelling have truly changed the landscape of the communications industry. The PR industry has benefited from the seamless integration of digital media and traditional media with influencer marketing playing a major role. The power is in the hands of the PR professionals to tell their own stories through owned media thereby owning their narrative, building relationships with media professionals in a new way, crafting messaging using Gen AI by using deep analytics and message boards, using data-driven insights to shape up your brand communication tactics. The world of PR has evolved and it’s been an orbit shift over the last three decades that I have been in this industry.
Tell us about your most valuable learning from the industry. Where do you foresee the PR and comms industry in the coming days?
One of my most valuable learnings is the power of authentic communication and the power of building trust. Transparent and honest communication is key to build a trust leading to strong reputation for the brand. Relationships are key in this industry and working towards a win-win can lead to strong outcomes and greater success as a professional in this trade.
Looking ahead, I see the PR and communication industry embracing more digital innovations, like immersive storytelling and ethical AI-driven insights. Another area that one needs to brace for is the Gen AI that would also lead to fake narratives and information. There is a need to building strong corporate resilience in tackling the nuisance this would cause. We are already witnessing the deep fake and false narratives tarnishing the reputation and business resilience in many ways. This will be a subject of deep concern and proactive work to manage ethical codes and principles around advanced AI.
Purpose-driven communication will play a pivotal role, addressing societal concerns. This will be a key to build brand reputation and strong employee value proposition.
What would be your message to the future generation of professionals?
To the future generation of PR and communications professionals, my message would be to never stop learning and exploring. The world is constantly changing with technological innovations so it is imperative to keep evolving with new skills. And most important is to have a good attitude to deliver the best. Companies assess their employees both on skills and attitude, so having a good mix of both is critical to success.
