Bivabasu Kumar

I manage highly complex political and social communication challenges surrounding India's, or, by far, the world's largest urban renewal project: the Dharavi Redevelopment Project.

My role involves steering regional, national, and international media narratives to ensure balanced and fact-based coverage. This is not only important for the project, but also for the government and the Adani Group.

What I enjoy most, however, is the opportunity to work at the grassroots level and interacting with the slum dwellers directly which allows me to use communication as a tool to bridge any gap and insulate them from misinformation.

As part of strategic communications, I craft narratives to debunk myths and false narratives used by detractors to confuse residents, and create unrest.

Crisis communications is not a one-off task for me, but it is a constant and structured part of my strategic communication approach.

• Managing diverse corporate communication requirements on a large scale, dealing with ambiguity and complexity.
• Creating Brand Equity
• Media Relations
• International Relations (Media and PR)
• Crisis Management & Communication
• Content Writing & Editing
• Social Media
• Creating unique audiovisual content
• Directing Corporate Films & Documentaries
• Internal Communication

• Managing communication & media relations for Reliance Energy and other verticals of Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra)

• I have enjoyed a dynamic career as a senior manager, leading the corporate communications department of a transnational organisation. My role has been marked by achievements in both external and internal communications, backed by a proven track record. As the primary contact for national and international media, I have been responsible for devising decisive and innovative communication strategies for multifunctional and cross-cultural teams. This role has allowed me to shape our messaging and enhance our organisational profile on a global scale.

• Involved in creating strategic vision and thought leadership for the Afcons brand with employees, media, analysts and other influential constituencies.
• Worked towards mitigating issues and identifying opportunities that helped to positively shift perceptions about the organisation and its lines of business.
• Responsible towards management and development of all communication plans with respect to media relationship strategies and internal communications. Also managed the social media strategy for the corporate brand.
• Evaluated, negotiated and managed PR vendors who supported media relations, social networking/digital communications strategy.
• Ensured timely management of news cycles and handled any crisis communications in partnership with PR agencies.
• Was part of the council to develop and execute the quarterly in-house magazine.
• Developed compelling, concise, creative, and credible fact-based messaging to support brand positioning.
• Acted as an advisor and coach, briefing management and executives on key messages and storytelling for media interviews.
• Identified and managed the engagement with top influential media and analysts.
• Most importantly, I succeeded in fostering pride in the company and motivating employees to become brand ambassadors.

• As a sports writer, I specialised in cricket and other sports, where my responsibilities included ideating stories, editing, planning, and managing the Mumbai edition. I also contributed to weekend sections and special reports during significant events. I had the privilege of establishing the TOI Sports desk for the Kochi edition. My role involved extensive travel across India and the subcontinent for cricket tournaments, providing me with invaluable opportunities to enhance my people skills and network with professionals from various countries. These interactions spanned diverse areas such as journalism, media, and public relations, enriching my professional experience.

• My responsibilities included handling the desk, writing match reports of national and international events, editing copies etc

• My stint at the Hindustan Times chiefly revolved around covering cricket (domestic and international matches), managing the edition (sports pages), co-ordinating with other centres and clearing stories with catchy headlines.

• My duties were to edit stories and prepare page layouts. Getting the opportunity to deal with a wider network of reporters improved my people skills knowing or finding how to bring out the best in others in any situation. Under the able leadership of my editor, I picked up the subtleties of sports writing. I got the opportunity to travel, cover matches and also meet several sports personalities.

• The Indian Express laid the foundation of my career in journalism. Working in a small set-up allowed me to try out various beats. I was introduced to pagemaking and picked up reporting and editing skills.