Kunal Dutt
Mumbai
Summary
Experienced public relations and corporate communications professional with two decades of proven success in building and executing strategic communication plans. Expertise in managing media relations, crisis communication, and stakeholder engagement across diverse industries. Adept at leveraging strong interpersonal and writing skills to effectively convey organizational messages and enhance brand reputation
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Group Account Director
Hill & Knowlton Strategies
07.2022 - 10.2023
- Worked effectively with senior-level clients such as executives to build trusting and long-lasting relationships with key accounts
- Directed work of 8 team members focused on strong customer relations and service delivery
- Pursued opportunities to increase account revenue and diversify group revenue streams by analyzing data and capitalizing on emerging trends
- Managed business worth US$ 293126; Brought in business worth US $9614.
Independent Communication Consultant
Self Employed
05.2021 - 06.2022
- Liaised between media and firms across shipping related technology and associated industries during press releases and press interviews
- Developed comprehensive media outreach plans to increase visibility of organization in national and international markets
- Studied objectives, promotional policies or needs of organizations to develop public relations strategies influencing public opinion or promoting ideas.
Public Relations Director
Scenic Communications
12.2019 - 04.2021
- Led strategic initiatives for clientele and oversaw media execution
- Supported multi-vertical and integrated partnerships using strategic initiatives
- Led initiatives for international liaisons (U.S, Europe and Australia) and new business opportunities
- Instrumental in successfully on-boarding new businesses across education, organic farming, logistics and cyber security domains.
Assistant Vice President -Public Relations
Gutenberg Communications Pvt Ltd
04.2017 - 02.2019
- Reviewed Led the India PR strategy for Gutenberg; providing strategic counsel for 37 clients across multiple verticals for five geographies
- Drove new businesses across multiple sectors; assisting senior leadership regarding strategic business decisions on growth
- Improved employee retention through development of comprehensive training programs and mentorship initiatives
- Led the strategic communications counsel for Indo-U.S trade bodies like USISPF (United States-India Strategic Partnership Forum) and USAID (US Agency for International Development).
Account Director - Public Relations
Aim High Consulting
09.2015 - 03.2017
- Collaborated with senior management to implement continuous improvements and exceed team goals
- Led communication strategy and planning of clients across multiple verticals that include venture capital, personal finance, financial inclusion and start ups
- Built relationships with customers and community to establish long-term business growth.
Account Director- Public Relations
Weber Shandwick
05.2014 - 04.2015
- Led the corporate and financial service practice
- Oversaw a team of 5 professionals handling 6 accounts
- Managed International clients such as SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) and Peel Ports (PP); Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Corporate Communications Manager
Crompton Greaves
06.2013 - 04.2014
- Capitalized on carefully built media relations to enhance outreach and public image
- Wrote executive speeches and talking points to deliver consistent message across all internal and external communication channels
- Managed company events, town halls and meetings
- Crisis Management: managed and mitigated an intense labour related issue in Goa and in Mumbai
- Showcased the firm's international initiatives by providing media opportunities across Belgium, France and Canada.
Account Director- Public Relations
Edelman
09.2012 - 06.2013
- Led communications strategy and campaign planning for one of India's largest conglomerates - Tata Sons
- Steered the communication strategy during the leadership transition of Mr Cyrus Mistry's from Mr Ratan Tata
- Supervised a team of 7 professionals handling 3 national accounts
- Collaborated cross-functionally with the head office, regional and other teams nationally to maintain consistent message and experience
Associate Partner
Genesis Burson Marsteller
04.2007 - 09.2012
- Spearheaded public relations mandates for leading international firms such as Temasek Holdings (Singapore), Experian (International Credit rating bureau)
- Kotak Mahindra Bank, Kotak securities (brokerage), corporate banking, Kotak Private equity, Kotak Wealth, were some of the largest Indian financial firms that I led the communications mandate for
- Other large Indian corporates which I orchestrated public relations strategies for, include Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) corporate and Mahindra Lifespaces (Real estate)
- Managed complex projects from inception to completion, ensuring timely delivery and client satisfaction.
Education
Post Graduate Diploma in Public Relations - Public Relations, Advertising, And Applied Communication
Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan
Bengaluru, India04.2006
Bachelor of Commerce: Accounting And Business Management - Accounting And Business Management
Annamalai University - Annamalai
06.2001
Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting And Finance
St Xaviers College
Kolkata, India06.1998
Skills
- Effective leadership
- Crisis Management
- Communications management
- Corporate messaging
- Coaching and mentoring
- Analytical decision making
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Multitasking Abilities
- Organization and Time Management
Accomplishments
- Documented and resolved media crisis in Goa for Crompton Greaves which led to resumption of work in factory
- Collaborated with team of 20, in winning the Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) PR mandate by Genesis Burson Marsteller
- Supervised team of 8 staff members to successfully lead and manage the crisis during the change of leadership at Tata sons ; from Ratan Tata to Cyrus Mistry
- Part of the leadership team for strategic communications to announce the change in leadership at Tata sons in 2012
- Won 'Team of the year' 2009-10 for exemplary all round performance at Genesis Burson Marsteller
Additional Information
Accomplishments:
· Documented and resolved a serious media crisis in Goa for Crompton Greaves which led to the resumption of work in their factory
· Collaborated with a team of 20, to successfully win the Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) PR mandate by Genesis Burson Marsteller
· Supervised a team of 8 staff members to successfully lead and manage the crisis during the change of leadership at Tata sons; from Ratan Tata to Cyrus Mistry
· Integral member of the strategic communications team to announce the change in leadership at Tata sons in 2012
· Won the national 'Team of the year' 2009-10 for 'Exemplary All Round Performance' at Genesis Burson Marsteller
Timeline
Group Account Director
Hill & Knowlton Strategies
07.2022 - 10.2023
Independent Communication Consultant
Self Employed
05.2021 - 06.2022
Public Relations Director
Scenic Communications
12.2019 - 04.2021
Assistant Vice President -Public Relations
Gutenberg Communications Pvt Ltd
04.2017 - 02.2019
Account Director - Public Relations
Aim High Consulting
09.2015 - 03.2017
Account Director- Public Relations
Weber Shandwick
05.2014 - 04.2015
Corporate Communications Manager
Crompton Greaves
06.2013 - 04.2014
Account Director- Public Relations
Edelman
09.2012 - 06.2013
Associate Partner
Genesis Burson Marsteller
04.2007 - 09.2012
Post Graduate Diploma in Public Relations - Public Relations, Advertising, And Applied Communication
Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan
Bachelor of Commerce: Accounting And Business Management - Accounting And Business Management
Annamalai University - Annamalai
Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting And Finance
St Xaviers College
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