Divya Kurup

• Specializing in luxury retail and hospitality brands, working closely to strategize media plans and manage influencer relationships for renowned names such as the Hilton Group, Conrad Pune, Reliance Jewels, and Art of Time. Additionally, overseeing media relations and crisis management for The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) and Ketto.org. Leading a team of 20, core strengths include media relations, strategic media planning, and influencer marketing. Excel in creating impactful media strategies, managing high-profile influencer campaigns, and maintaining robust relationships with the media. Role also involves content creation oversight, brand positioning, event management, and ensuring consistent brand messaging across all channels.

• As Head of Corporate Communication, spearheaded media communications for the Lexicon Group of Institutes, including Lexicon School, Management Institute of Leadership & Excellence (MILE), Lexicon Rainbow Therapy Centre, Lexicon Institute of Hotel Management, and MultiFit Gym India. Managed the brand presence of Mr. Pankaj Sharma, President of The Lexicon Group, across media and digital platforms. Responsibilities included strategic media planning, crafting and disseminating press releases, overseeing digital content, managing media relations, and ensuring consistent brand messaging across all channels.

• As the Director of PR & Influencer Marketing, responsibilities included leading the development and execution of influencer marketing campaigns for brands such as Netflix, Swiggy, and TataCliq Luxury. Key tasks encompassed pitching and strategizing PR and influencer marketing initiatives for new business leads, managing media and influencer relationships, overseeing content creation, analyzing campaign performance, and mentoring a team of PR professionals. This role effectively enhanced brand visibility and engagement through innovative strategies and strong relationship management.

Spearheaded internal media communication and successfully positioned the company among digital disrupter's, leading to numerous accolades and recognition for the company and its leaders within the digital industry. Secured new mandates across various sectors for Public Relations and Influencer Marketing, including prestigious brands such as Taj Hotels, Gold's Gym India, Guardian GNC, Olympic Council of Asia, Oman Cricket, iBall, Aditya Birla Education Academy, MetroShoes, Amazon Prime (The Family Man), Samajwadi Party, Amante, Intermiles (Jet Privilege), Mumbai Indians, Beardo, Ace Blend, Plix, and Olena. Maintained client profitability and business growth, achieving organizational goals while conducting PR & Influencer marketing workshops for all Gozoop employees. Championed and strategized award-winning international and national influencer campaigns, notably for the Asian Games 2018 (Indonesia) and Amante's social responsibility campaigns, which garnered awards at the DMA Echo Awards 2019 and Inkspell Award 2018.

• Instrumental in on-boarding new business leads such as Fairfield Marriott-Lucknow, Contiki, Cruise Air-conditioners, and ReachIvy. Championed media training, strategic positioning, and communication for brands and spokespersons, while mentoring and monitoring media outreach and influencer campaigns by the team, providing recommendations for optimization. As a Senior Manager in PR at Alphabet Media, led comprehensive PR strategies, managed high-profile client accounts, developed and executed media relations campaigns, oversaw crisis communication efforts, and ensured consistent brand messaging across all channels, contributing to the overall growth and reputation of the agency.

• As a PR consultant specializing in India's vibrant startup ecosystem, the acquired knowledge pertains to the industry, leveraging deep understanding to facilitate strategic media placements and secure exclusive coverage for startup and venture capitalist brands. Responsibilities include crafting compelling narratives to highlight key milestones such as investor funding news, orchestrating interviews with key stakeholders, and providing insightful quotes to position clients effectively in the media landscape. Additionally, meticulous monitoring and analysis of media coverage of competitors offer invaluable insights to inform clients' communications strategies and maintain their competitive edge. Through this multifaceted role, contribution is made to enhancing the visibility and reputation of clients within the dynamic and rapidly evolving startup ecosystem of India.

• Under the mentorship of leaders Tripti Chetnani, Aniruddha Bhagwat, and Minal D' Rozario, the art of Public Relations was learned, starting from media mapping, strategic planning, media relations, and content. Responsibilities included handling internal communication for the agency and managing brand building, media relations, and client servicing for RetailLending.com, Worldoo, The Good Artists of Pune, and many more. Later, the brand RetailLending.com was recognized as one of the top key players in financial services at the Exchange4Media Indian PR & Corporate Communication Awards, 2014. Additionally, Ideosphere was recognized as the small agency of the year by Exchange4Media Indian PR and Corporate Communications Award (IPRCC) in 2014, along with the afaqs! Digital Agency Awards 2014.

As a special event coordinator, successfully managed media and artists such as Honey Singh, Farhan Akhtar, and international artists Wolf Pack & Yvesv for Navi Mumbai's biggest college festival, Algeria. Responsibilities included handling media publicity and partnerships across all media channels such as Bombay Times, Navi Mumbai news channels, Radio City, and VH1. This involved coordinating logistics for artist appearances, managing media interactions and interviews, negotiating partnerships with various media outlets, and ensuring seamless execution of promotional activities to maximize the festival's visibility and audience engagement. Additionally, collaborated with internal teams and external stakeholders to align event objectives with brand messaging and strategic communication goals, ultimately contributing to the festival's success and reputation as a premier cultural event in Navi Mumbai.

3.5

• As a news reporter, covered a diverse range of press conferences in the FMCG, Retail, Food & Beverages sectors, liaising closely with publicists to ensure timely and accurate news coverage. Conducted interviews with industry leaders from prominent companies such as Shemaroo, HolidayIQ, and Haier India, providing insights into key developments and trends. Responsible for uploading press releases, generating real-time market news, and providing comprehensive coverage of budget stories, particularly within the real estate and retail industries. Additionally, actively participated in the CSR initiative FLAME, dedicated to increasing financial literacy among school children in India, reflecting a commitment to social responsibility alongside journalistic pursuits.

• As a media analyst, acquired extensive knowledge of the Global Automobile industry to simplify auto jargon for UK-based magazines like UK TopGear and UK AutoCar. Responsibilities included meeting daily targets by coding 55 articles, ensuring accuracy and adherence to editorial standards. Elevated to the Quality Control (QC) team, tasked with reviewing and validating content to maintain high-quality standards and enhance reader engagement. Additionally, monitored industry trends, competitor activities, and reader feedback to provide actionable insights for editorial decision-making and content optimization. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement, contributing to the overall success and reputation of the publications within the automotive media landscape

• As a trainee sub-editor, received mentorship from editor Bharat Bhushan Oberoi, acquiring skills in crafting catchy headlines, editing, design, and more. Responsibilities included serving as a liaison between reporters and publicists to cross-check facts and figures before publishing articles, ensuring accuracy and credibility. Attended lifestyle and entertainment press conferences, actively covering events and generating engaging content for publication. Additionally, collaborated closely with editorial teams to uphold editorial standards and enhance the overall quality of the publication. This role involved a blend of editorial tasks, coordination, and on-the-ground reporting, contributing to the smooth operation and reputation of the publication within the media landscape.