Media News
Mumbai, May 8, 2014
Rediffusion Y&R is pleased to announce the appointment of Rahul Sharma as President of Rediffusion Communications, its public relations and public affairs arm from May 19.
Rahul, currently President, Public Affairs (India and South Asia), at Genesis Burson-Marsteller (GBM), will be the overall head of the business and will lead the Tata mandate, which Rediffusion has managed since November 2011. He will be based in Mumbai.
A columnist and a former newspaper editor, Rahul has spent the past 4 years engaging with and advising, a large portfolio of multinational and Indian clients at Genesis Burson-Marsteller across various industry sectors.
“Rahul brings on board three decades of experience and expertise across India, Singapore, Hongkong and UAE in media, policy, regulatory and corporate issues, and political affairs. His experience and expertise will add value to our clients in public relations and public affairs,” said Diwan Arun Nanda, Chairman of Rediffusion Y&R Pvt Ltd.
Starting out as a journalist in the 1980's, Rahul worked with various publications including Business India and The Economic Times before joining Reuters and leaving India in the mid-1990s.
After stints in Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Singapore, which included reporting and editing political and economic stories, he returned home several years later as Editor, Delhi, Hindustan Times. He then moved to Dubai as Editor of Khaleej Times, the Gulf region's oldest English-language newspaper.
He joined Genesis Burson-Marsteller on his return to India in 2010 and has taken the firm’s public affairs business into newer areas.
“The switch from journalism to public affairs was not easy, but GBM gave me the opportunity to use my skills and international experience and make a positive difference to clients. I am very excited by this new opportunity and looking forward to working with the team to strengthen and deepen our existing relationship with the Tatas,” Rahul said.
Rahul has a Masters in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and is on the regional advisory board of the school. A product of Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi, he also has a post-graduate degree in International Relations, Economy and Trade from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia. His interest in foreign affairs is wide but focused on China, the Southeast and West Asia – regions that matter greatly to India.
A founding member of the Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI), Rahul is currently the secretary of the organization of public affairs professionals.
An avid reader and traveler, Rahul likes dabbling in photography and is a self-taught painter.
For further information, please contact:
Rediffusion Dentsu Young & Rubicam Pvt Ltd,
Kalyani Srivastava
Mobile: +91 7738611213
Email: Kalyani.Srivastava@rediffusionyr.com