Mrinall Kanti Dey
Communications Professional
Summary
Accomplished strategic communications executive with over two decades of extensive experience across journalism, corporate communications, reputation management, crisis management, internal communications, policy advocacy, brand
communications and CSR. Demonstrated expertise in navigating complex media landscapes and crisis scenarios for global brands in diverse industries including telecom, FMCG, financial services, automobile, IT, EdTech and hospitality. Proficient in building and maintaining robust relationships with internal and external stakeholders such as media partners, customers, vendors and team members to ensure business and operational excellence. Skilled in strategic media relations; crisis communication with a deep understanding of national and international media operations and a wide network to optimize
media opportunities and manage crisis situations effectively. Known for resolving critical business issues and providing foresight in crisis management.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1996
1996
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Certifications
Work History
VP & Head - PR & Corporate Communications
MobiKwik
04.2023 - Current
- I'm responsible for driving external and internal communications initiatives with a clear focus to build thought leadership and generate awareness and demand for offerings (products and solutions) from MobiKwik and increase employee engagement
- Responsible for key media relations and working closely with the founders and business heads to achieve business goals
VP - Corporate Communications
BYJU's
08.2022 - 04.2023
- Worked closely with the Founders to create a corporate narrative and messaging framework
- Spearheaded the media strategy for BYJUs and its group companies (White Hat Jr, Aakash, and Great Learning) and sharpen their media outreach, management, and crisis management
- Drove policy advocacy plans for BYJUs by working with key think tanks, influencers and thought leaders
- Was responsible for the media research and analysis
- In addition, responsible for regional media relations, media analysis, media databases, and crisis management
SVP - Media Strategy
Weber Shandwick
06.2019 - 04.2022
- Spearheaded the media strategy function, which closely works with client teams (B2C, B2B, Corporate, Social Impact, Media and Entertainment, and Technology Practice) to sharpen their media outreach, management, and crisis management
- Drove policy advocacy plans for marque clients like Facebook, and Ericsson and provide strategic solution and framework to maximize media plan efficiency and effectiveness for growth of clients across industries
- Key focus on media strategy and deliverables of Top 20 clients in Delhi and Top 10 clients in Mumbai and Bengaluru and responsible for evaluating, designing, and steering streamlined media strategy by the media team that can add value to the client teams
- Built effective, trusted advisor relationships with client(s) by consistent check-ins, being available for any media strategy needed and help mitigate crisis (White Hat Jr., OYO, Tata Trusts vs Cyrus Mistry)
- Was responsible for the media research and analysis
- In addition, responsible for regional media relations, media analysis, media databases, stringer management, translation services and media monitoring, including primary and secondary research
- Played a key role in the expansion of Weber Shandwick into new markets by supporting clients in their outreach across the length and breadth of the sub-continent through a network of affiliates and representatives
- Set the trend and tone to begin Media Knowledge Sharing sessions at Weber Shandwick and Current Global
AVP - Public Affairs & Communications
AMERICAN EXPRESS
07.2010 - 03.2019
- Was responsible for driving external and internal communications initiatives with a clear focus to build thought leadership and generate awareness and demand for offerings from AmEx (products and solutions) and increase employee engagement
- Developed American Express corporate reputation program and drive key social media strategies
- Was responsible for key media relations and working closely with the CEO and business heads to achieve business goals
- Was responsible for identifying and liaising with industry associations/bodies and support development and direction of American Express Public Affairs strategies and corporate initiatives
- Was responsible for strategizing, designing, and implementing American Express CSR programs
General Manager - Corporate Communications (External)
PepsiCo India
04.2004 - 08.2007
- Led the entire range of external communications of the company in India
- Designed various communications strategies for corporate, brands (beverages and snacks), and R&D
- Conceptualized strategy created innovative tactics and lead the execution of communication plan of Performance with Purpose (CSR activity) in varied ways to target all stakeholders ??
- Consumers, community, media, government, and NGOs
- Worked directly with the Chairman, PepsiCo India, to deliver on the communications goals to help achieve the business goals
- Designed and executed stakeholder engagement activities specific to consumers, NGOs, health activists, intelligentsia, industry bodies and employees
Manager - Corporate Communications (Western region)
Airtel
08.2004 - 06.2007
- Designed & implemented media strategy, for various departments/circles in Bharti Airtel, with the PR agency
- Worked closely with the Circle CEO and CMO to deliver on the business goals
- Strategized PR opportunities in varied ways in different media to enable a higher TOMA & ITP of the brand ???Airtel??
- In the region by planning and executing media worthy events & product launches
- Managed crises and contributed to create positive perception of the brand through various strategies
- Developed internal communications strategy and channel communications
Sr Correspondent & Business Bureau Head
Deccan Herald
04.2000 - 08.2001
Correspondent
ITSpace.com
04.2000 - 08.2001
Principal Correspondent
The Asian Age
08.1997 - 04.2000
Sub-editor-cum-Reporter
Press Trust of India (PTI)
08.1997 - 04.2000
Education
M.A - Journalism
B.Sc - Physiology
Skills
Strategic Planning and execution
Certification
Certificate in Leadership Excellence, Harvard Business Publishing
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 08/17/72
- Gender: Male
- Marital Status: Married
Accomplishments
● Crisis-managed the issue of White Hat Jr vs. Pradeep Poonia case.
● Managed the Tata Trusts, Ratan Tata vs. Cyrus Mistry case on corporate governance.
● Managed the crisis for OYO which started after downsizing over 5000 employees.
● Contributed to Weber Shandwick's recognition as the leader in PRovoke Media's 2022 Global Creative Index.
● Championed the custodianship of PepsiCo India's external reputation, making it one of India's most admired
FMCG companies
● Crisis-managed the issue of Kurkure (that it had plastic as one of the ingredients).
● Executed Bharti's first and India's largest car rally – Airtel One India Challenge, 2005.
● Led the India's largest marketing event/contest – Airtel Showdown, 2005.
Affiliations
● Member of PRSD (Public Relations Society of India)
● Co-founder of CommsAdda, a not-for-profit community for Communications professionals
Awards
- IMAGEXX Corporate Communications Person of the Year, 2024.
- e4m 14th edition IPRCCA Corporate Communications Professional of the Year, 2023
- Top 100 Influential Game Changers, PR and Corporate Communications by e4m, 2022.
- American Express Corporate Communication Award for Excellence in 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Gold SABRE Awards for Excellence in PR Programming, 2014 - Above & Beyond Award, 2010: Honored by PepsiCo's AMEA region for exceptional creativity and leadership in conceptualizing the “Lay's Give Us Your Delicious Flavour” consumer co-creation program.
- MU Innovator Award, 2009: Received for outstanding media execution and strategic planning of the Gatorade Pacers events in 2008 and 2009
- Value Individual Award, 2006
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Hindi
Advanced (C1)
Bengali
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Nepali
Upper intermediate (B2)
Timeline
VP & Head - PR & Corporate Communications - MobiKwik
04.2023 - Current
VP - Corporate Communications - BYJU's
08.2022 - 04.2023
SVP - Media Strategy - Weber Shandwick
06.2019 - 04.2022
AVP - Public Affairs & Communications - AMERICAN EXPRESS
07.2010 - 03.2019
Manager - Corporate Communications (Western region) - Airtel
08.2004 - 06.2007
General Manager - Corporate Communications (External) - PepsiCo India
04.2004 - 08.2007
Sr Correspondent & Business Bureau Head - Deccan Herald
04.2000 - 08.2001
Correspondent - ITSpace.com
04.2000 - 08.2001
Principal Correspondent - The Asian Age
08.1997 - 04.2000
Sub-editor-cum-Reporter - Press Trust of India (PTI)
08.1997 - 04.2000
Calcutta University - B.Sc, Physiology
Calcutta University - M.A, Journalism
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