Sir Richard Stagg to open Nation Branding Masterclass event

Company Brief

New Delhi, August 25, 2009

British High Commissioner to India Sir Richard Stagg, KCMG, CBE, is giving the inaugural address at the Nation Branding Masterclass in New Delhi on 3 September.

Stagg joins fellow speakers Simon Anholt, who hosts the Masterclass, Leena Nandan, Joint Secretary at India’s Ministry of Tourism, Amitabh Kant, Principle Secretary and Special Commissioner, Government of Kerala and author of “Branding India: An Incredible Story”.

Ramesh Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director, The Moving Picture Company and Suhel Seth, Managing Partner, Counselage India complete the line-up.

The event, supported by the BBC, IBEF, the India Chapter of the IAA, Kingfisher Airlines, Business Standard and the Loomba Trust, will examine “Brand India” and its performance on the world stage – as well as consider the nation brands of other countries in the Indian subcontinent. How will they compete with their powerful neighbour and where will they succeed in benefitting from the positive glow that India’s success has created for the region?

Moderated by Delnaaz Irani, the BBC Correspondent and Presenter, the Nation Branding Masterclass event is led by Simon Anholt. Simon is a member of the British Government’s Public Diplomacy Board and has advised the governments of many countries, as well as organisations including the United Nations, NATO and the World Bank. Exclusively for this Nation Branding Masterclass for the Indian Subcontinent, and using global research evidence gathered over many years, Simon will examine strategies that will enable India to create new opportunities for its businesses and people.

The Nation Branding Masterclass will take place at the Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi and is the first in a series of events taking place around the world – with similar events planned for Africa, Asia, the Middle East and London.

For further information, please contact:

C Squared Communications

Rachada Tepsatra

Tel: +44 207 367 6998

Email: rachada@csquared.cc