Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline

Avik Roy

Strategic Communications Specialist and Former Journalist
Kolkata,West Bengal

Summary

Integrated communications specialist and former journalist with leadership skills and armed with more than 11 years of experiences in sectors as diverse and dynamic as strategic public relations, digital and print newsrooms, TV agency, and Bollywood motion picture. Have traveled the world to report on climate change, UNFCCC negotiations, environment, sustainability and human rights & social justice. Proven track record of leading teams to deliver excellence within quick turnaround time.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certificate
3
3
Languages
11
11

Years of journalism experience

Work History

Senior Manager

MSLGROUP
New Delhi, India
03.2022 - Current
  • Worked with Policy Advocacy and Citizenship practice of Publicis Groupe's integrated communications agency.
  • Adopted integrated approach for brand positioning, media relations, content development and built thought leadership for clients in sectors as risk-resilient and sustainable infrastructure, integrated mobility, malaria elimination, public health, safe reproductive health and child rights.
  • Led from front to drive strategic communications services for RITES Ltd, a government PSU in urban transport infrastructure sector.
  • Led media engagement for International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 2022, held in collaboration with NDMA and USAID.
  • Planned and executed media outreach for two flagship projects of Union Ministry of Ayush to position India as hub of traditional medicines and yoga.
  • Collaborated with media to encourage company and product coverage and promote brand mission and values.
  • Coordinated press releases and handled media enquiries for multiple clients.
  • Managed internal, external and crisis communications on behalf of the RITES Ltd.
  • Developed brand media relations strategies that bolstered community awareness and knowledge of client businesses.
  • Drafted and edited content for organisational publications, employee newsletters and stockholders' reports.
  • Wrote compelling, persuasive content to inform and support client initiatives.
  • Supported goals across audiences and channels by collaborating across teams and functions.
  • Leveraged data analytics to refine and optimise communications approaches.
  • Fostered positive relationships with key business journalists in regional, national and trade publications.
  • Prepared RFP and RFQ responses for new business pitches and presentations.
  • Drafted speeches for executives of client organisation and advised on media talking points.

Assistant Editor

HT Digital Streams
New Delhi, India
04.2021 - 02.2022
  • Managed team of writers and junior editors to deliver accurate and engaging content.
  • Monitored breaking news for information on incidents, events and topics of interest to quickly assign coverage to junior colleagues.
  • Assigned stories, led content development meetings and reviewed completed stories to guide execution of concepts and tone.
  • Managed all aspects of content production for digital properties during my shift.
  • Reviewed articles for grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, accuracy and compliance with quality standards.
  • Proofread, edited and evaluated final copy to verify content aligned with established guidelines.
  • Provided concise and constructive editorial feedback to writers to improve article and story writing.
  • Developed news content for online publication, authoring 6-7 articles every day, with focus on climate change, environment, ESG and sustainability.
  • Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork.
  • Assisted in hiring and training interns on company procedures and style guidelines.
  • Cultivated long-term relationships with individuals in public relations field through exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

Chief Copy Editor

The Times Of India
Kolkata, India
01.2016 - 03.2021
  • Played various roles across editions spanning India's geographical region of Odisha, Jharkhand and the Northeast
  • Independently brought out Nation pages of Odisha and Northeast editions, and front page and city pages of Odisha edition.
  • Donned hat of multi-tasker, and collaborated with editors, graphic artists, page designers, post-production team members and other specialists to produce polished, engaging and crisp content.
  • Extensively covered the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Jharkhand with focus on social impact in the tribal heartland and Shibu Soren, and reported from the ground in the aftermath of Ramgarh lynching.
  • Determined readiness of written pieces, made changes and approved final versions for publication.
  • Used coordination and planning skills to achieve results according to schedule.
  • Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
  • Planned and conducted research and pitched long-form stories to promote investigative news topics.

Copy Editor

Asian News International
New Delhi, India
05.2015 - 01.2016
  • Worked at Subcontinental desk of Reuters TV
  • Reviewed and edited content for correct grammar and style.
  • Proofread and evaluated final copy to verify content aligned with established guidelines.
  • Provided concise and constructive editorial feedback to writers to improve article and story writing.
  • Delegated and tracked each staff member's assignments and deadlines.
  • Mentored younger interns to help develop craft and sharpen skills.
  • Compiled lists of common usage and style errors to reduce number of mistakes and improve consistency in style.

Freelance Correspondent

Climate Home News
New Delhi, India
01.2015 - 12.2015
  • Freelanced for Climate Home (formerly called RTCC), a London-based news and analysis website on climate change, for one year in the lead up to UNFCCC COP21 climate change conference in Paris.
  • Attended COP21 in Paris as part of Climate Home News' media team.
  • Wrote analytical news stories on climate change, clean energy and Indian climate policies, including the US President Barack Obama's visit to India in January 2015; conflict between forest dwellers and mining in Mahan forest; analysis of India's climate action plan; and air pollution.

Freelance Correspondent

Thomson Reuters Foundation
New Delhi, India
10.2014 - 12.2015
  • Freelanced for Thomson Reuters Foundation, and wrote on some of the most pressing environmental issues in India
  • Presented news by researching, developing and covering field news events.
  • Some of the published stories can be found here: http://news.trust.org//profile/? id=003D000001IzEb0IAF

Senior Sub-Editor

Business Standard
New Delhi, India
10.2014 - 12.2014
  • Determined readiness of written pieces, made changes and approved final versions for publication.
  • Supported publication by helping develop layouts and collaborating with production teams.
  • Reviewed articles for grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, accuracy and compliance with quality standards.
  • Set layouts and selected photos for stories to boost readership.

Senior Sub-Editor

The Pioneer
New Delhi, India
08.2011 - 09.2014
  • Launched my professional career in journalism with the iconic English-language newspaper.
  • Worked with the prestigious Edit & Op-ed team of the newspaper.
  • Prepared editorial and content layout for Edit and Oped pages
  • Collaborated with policymakers, renowned writers and columnists from diverse backgrounds.
  • Reviewed articles for grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, accuracy and compliance with quality standards.
  • Contributed bi-monthly Op-ed columns on climate and environment for the newspaper.
  • Collaborated with graphics department to develop and implement visual elements.

Volunteer

Greenpeace India
, India
07.2010 - 08.2014
  • Facilitated public engagement initiatives and conducted research for specific environmental campaigns
  • Used strong interpersonal communication skills to convey information to public and media.
  • Planned and delivered numerous activities and special events.
  • Adhered to organisation procedures and instructions to maintain safety for programme participants and other workers.
  • Spoke with community organisations to further drive outreach efforts and highlight programme successes.

Assistant Casting Director

Boundscript Motion Pictures Pvt. Ltd
Kolkata, India
08.2010 - 12.2010
  • Assisted with casting and pre-production of Bollywood blockbuster feature film Kahaani.
  • Witnessed all rounds of auditions to determine most qualified talent for roles.
  • Engaged in sourcing activities to find suitable candidates.
  • Assisted with open auditions to fill smaller roles.
  • Examined scripts to understand storyline and needed roles.
  • Worked closely with producers and directors to define casting needs and deliver casting options according to expectations through comprehensive talent binders.

Education

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Journalism & Mass Communication

University of Calcutta, Kolkata
01.2008 - 01.2011

Studied journalism, mass communication, public relations, advertising and film production during the three-year degree course

Skills

    Journalism

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Accomplishments

  • Received journalism grant from the European Climate Foundation to cover the UN climate negotiations (COP21) in Paris in December 2015. I tracked India's role in the negotiations; my articles and interviews were extensively published at Climate Home.
  • The Guardian newspaper featured me as one of the 12 young people to watch for in the lead up to international climate negotiations in Paris in December. Here is the link to the Guardian article: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/10/young-climate-campaigners-paris-cop21
  • Attended the 20th United Nations Climate Change Conference, at Lima, Peru, in December 2014, to track the international climate change negotiations between countries. Focused on policy issues like INDCs, adaptation and mitigation, climate finance with particular emphasis on India and other developing nations. My reportage from the ground was published in Reuters, apart from several other international media.
  • Received a Fellowship from the Global Call for Climate Action to attend the 19th United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Warsaw, in 2013, to track the international climate negotiations and highlight their importance within media around the world.
  • Selected to attend as one of the delegate participants from India at the Global Power Shift conclave on climate change, hosted by 350.org and several other international organisations, in Istanbul in June 2013.

Certification

Thomson Reuters Foundation Climate Change Reporting Training Programme

Timeline

Senior Manager - MSLGROUP
03.2022 - Current
Assistant Editor - HT Digital Streams
04.2021 - 02.2022
Chief Copy Editor - The Times Of India
01.2016 - 03.2021
Copy Editor - Asian News International
05.2015 - 01.2016
Freelance Correspondent - Climate Home News
01.2015 - 12.2015
Freelance Correspondent - Thomson Reuters Foundation
10.2014 - 12.2015
Senior Sub-Editor - Business Standard
10.2014 - 12.2014

Thomson Reuters Foundation Climate Change Reporting Training Programme

10-2013
Senior Sub-Editor - The Pioneer
08.2011 - 09.2014
Assistant Casting Director - Boundscript Motion Pictures Pvt. Ltd
08.2010 - 12.2010
Volunteer - Greenpeace India
07.2010 - 08.2014
University of Calcutta - Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Journalism & Mass Communication
01.2008 - 01.2011

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Avik RoyStrategic Communications Specialist and Former Journalist