Mr. Rajesh Sinha
Founder and CEO of Fulcrum Worldwide
1. Rajesh Sinha is the founder and CEO of Fulcrum Worldwide.
2. Under his aegis Fulcrum diversified its industry-specific offerings and expanded its operations to include UK, APAC and South America.
3. The cloud product he envisioned for the Higher Education sector won several awards for supporting next generation collaborative learning.
4. His idea of building a culinary ERP software that takes care of end-to-end supply chain management is already a success.
5. Rajesh was also instrumental in helping team Fulcrum develop a portal framework for the BFSI sector.
6. As a consistent innovator, he also made a mark in the healthcare sector as he conceptualized an information platform that provides personalized data at the moment of care. The innovation is now helping caregivers deliver better experience to the patients.
7. In 2015, Ernst & Young announced that Rajesh Sinha, founder and CEO of Fulcrum Worldwide, is a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2015.
8. Under his thought leadership, Fulcrum was recognized as one of the best employers by the DQ TOP 20 in 2008, 2011 and 2012, and as the fastest growing company by Inc. Magazine.
9. He received the Fast 50 Asian American Businesses Award for “demonstrating resilience and performance with excellence.”
10. Rajesh is on the board of advisors for consortiums in US and Europe. From advising CEOs, CTOs and CXOs on the trends such as Big Data and Mobile strategies to mentoring students of HE institutions on entrepreneurship, he reaches out to the entire ecosystem of present and future thought leaders through conferences and workshops.
11. He’s frequently invited as a keynote speaker and presenter at global events such as Liferay Symposiums, EUNIS, NASSCOM sessions, and SOA symposiums. Rajesh also delivers talks pertaining to emerging economies and business challenges.
12. Fulcrum Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, is a cause led by him. It enables underprivileged kids to get continuous access to education and employability. He helps brain- injured children and their parents worldwide by promoting lectures, books, and materials. Rajesh was given “Leonardo da Vinci” award by The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential for his efforts to serve brain-injured children.
13. Rajesh lives with his wife and son in NJ, USA. He is an avid runner and encourages his employees to lead a healthy lifestyle and maintain a work-life balance.
Mr. Paresh Chaudhry
CEO of Madison Public Relations
Combining expertise in marketing, brand communications and reputation management spanning multiple industries, Paresh’s hands-on experience across key global markets, has set value benchmarks in global corporate communication function. Paresh is the founder President of Indian Forum of Corporate Communicators (IFCC), a large group of practicing Corporate Communications professionals from leading corporates across the country.
With over 25 years of experience, he has worked in a number of blue chipped companies including Reliance Industries Limited, Hindustan Unilever Ltd, Ranbaxy Laboratories, Smith Kline Beecham, Wockhardt and Raymonds. Paresh has been a business communication partner to Mukesh Ambani, in Reliance, to Vindi Banga, Harish Manwani and Doug Bailie in Hindustan Unilever, D.S Brar in Ranbaxy, Dan McDonald in Smith Kline Beecham and Habil Khorakiwala in Wockhardt.
Paresh is currently Chief Executive Officer of Madison Public Relations, a unit of Madison World, one of India’s largest 360 degree communication agency. Madison World is a 25 – year – old diversified communication group, with 24 units across 10 specialized functions employing over 1,000 communication professional across cities in India, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The gross billing of Madison World is Rs. 30 billion. Under his leadership, Madison PR was awarded the PR Agency of the year in 2013, as the fastest growing agency in India and also the Agency of the year award at the prestigious CMO Asia Awards, 2014 . Madison PR has won many International, National & Indian industry awards for campaigns, across Brands, Corporate & Social.
Paresh had been given the honour to represent India on the Cannes Lions International PR Jury at the Dubai Lynx 2014. He also represented the Jury for the prestigious Sabre Awards 2014, Conference Chair for Global Marketing & Advertising Week, (DMAi), 2015 and is the Jury Chair, Goa Fest 2015 – Abbey Awards.
While working in Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) as Group President, Corporate Communications, he was responsible for building the Reliance Corporate brand reputation and a globally benchmarked employer brand.
Before joining Reliance, Paresh led the communications function at Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) for India, South Asia, and South East Asia. He was directly responsible for the successful and historic corporate name change from Hindustan Lever Ltd (a brand synonymous across stake holders for 75 years) to Hindustan Unilever Limited. As an integral part of the global Unilever communications team, his contribution in the transition to “One Unilever” strategy was significant.
During his stint at Hindustan Unilever Limited, amongst his key focus areas, he has hands on experience on Asia (India, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh). He has worked with various Unilever teams and formulated key messages for each market catering to country needs and environments. The one Unilever alignment weaving through each of these markets also helped build a robust corporate brand across all stakeholders.
He initiated and conducted strategy communication workshops with Asia communication country teams to bring alive “the transition to one Unilever brand”. Apart from working closely with the marketing teams, Paresh developed excellent external relations and network with the top media houses in each of these markets building long term relationships.
Paresh joined HUL from Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited where he spent five successful years spearheading the global communications function. He was largely responsible for creating and sustaining Ranbaxy’s identity as a global corporation across 25 markets. He was focused on Asia, North America and key markets in European Union.
Paresh personally coordinated and hosted Mr. Bill Clinton, former President of the United States of America during his two-day trip to the Ranbaxy facilities in India, including organizing a high level press Conference.
Paresh began his career as a Marketing professional and has been extensively involved in Brand building, Brand Management, Sales management and Market research, mainly in the Pharmaceutical industry. He has launched many international brands. The combination of marketing and communication skills and understanding, gives him an edge in overall strategic planning and execution. His involvement in creating brand identity manuals, media policies and customized crisis communication guidelines has proved a ready reference for each organization he has been associated with. His varied experience in several industries clearly reflects that his Corporate Communication skills cut across all products and services influencing Brand and Corporate PR. Paresh is also inducted in the Indy’s Hall of Fame for Excellence in Corporate Communications. An acclaimed speaker, he has been guest faculty to the top management institutes, mass media & brand educational colleges. He has also advised a few companies to develop their message house for sharp brand positioning.
Paresh’s unique approach in leveraging the aspect of Corporate Social Responsibility amongst all stakeholders in Smith Kline Beecham and HUL has been noteworthy. His keen eye to the future and insight into Brand PR and Internal Communications has helped him change perceptions and ensconce HUL in the eyes of the stakeholders.
Paresh was also an entrepreneur with business interests in hospitality management, global diary management and organic foods. The common vision hinged on the “Aspiring Indian” story.
An MBA with a specialization in Marketing, Paresh has completed a Public Affairs certification course from the Hong Kong University.
He is an active member of Round Table India, a social, non-political, cultural International organization for more than 20 years. He has held several National positions in the organization including being the Chairman of Round Table Bangalore and North India. He has also been a member of the National Executive Board for many years. His passion for Round Table’s mission to educate one million children, under the `Freedom through Education’ project allows him to make time from work for a cause he firmly believes in.
A voracious reader, Paresh is a keen sportsman with cricket being his favorite. He has captained University Cricket teams and Bombay Cricket Associations. He is married to Jayashree, an HR professional and is a doting father to Disha aged 23 years and Yash who is 17 years.
Mr. Bobby Pawar
Managing Director, Chief Creative Officer
Publicis South Asia
Campaign Asia’s Creative Person of the Year (2011) for India and South Asia. Consistently ranked amongst the 5 most influential and creative people in Indian advertising, by the Economic Times, India’s leading business daily. Bobby Pawar has racked-up over 400 creative as well as effectiveness awards, in local and international award shows.
In the two years since Bobby came on board, Publicis has created some of the country’s most talked about and effective ideas. He’s managed to do that for the biggest brands we handle, and not so big ones. Plus the agency has climbed up the ranks to stand among the top 5 in creative and effectiveness awards.
Prior to this he was the Chief Creative Officer at JWT, where he made a marked difference in the agency’s creative product.
Before that Bobby spent 4 years as the CCO of DDB Mudra Group. He helped transform the agency into one of the hottest creative shops in the country.
Bobby Pawar also plied his craft in the United States. He had long stints at Ogilvy, New York and BBDO, Chicago.
All in all it has been a pretty good 23 years for a guy who got into the business purely by accident.
Mr. Ajai Jhala
CEO
BBDO INDIA
Ajai along with Josy Paul (Chairman and CCO) launched BBDO in India just over 7 years ago.
In this short span of time BBDO India’s philosophy of Create Acts Not Ads has forged a whole new approach to brand communication.
The social movements BBDO India has created, based on ‘Acts Not Ads’, for brands like Gillette, Aviva, Visa, Quaker, 7 UP have led the Indian advertising industry’s transition from being TV-centric to one that is social by design.
BBDO India is the only agency in India, Asia and probably the world to have won three inaugural awards at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity for PR, Creative Effectiveness and Glass categories.
BBDO India created history by being the first agency in the world to win the inaugural Grand Prix in the Glass Lions category.
Before BBDO, Ajai was Global Communications Director with Lowe Worldwide in London.
Ajai was a member of the core leadership team that successfully crafted and led the launch of the famous ‘dirt is good’ campaign for OMO in Asia which went on to win many awards for effectiveness and creativity.
Ajai has developed strategy and managed global brands for clients like Unilever, IBM, UPS, and Cadbury’s and has been based in Mumbai , New York, London and Bangkok.
Mr. Suhel Seth
Indian entrepreneur, Author, Columnist and Socialite
Suhel Seth is one of India’s most admired marketing and management gurus and a highly-regarded columnist. He is the Managing Partner of Counselage India and founder of Equus. [1] He is known for his forthright views and appears regularly on television shows. Suhel has done over 135 plays in English, was voted as the Best Theatre Actor by Khushwant Singh and has been mentioned in the latter’s autobiography; Suhel has been a keen debator and is also a film actor having acted in six films under directors such as Mrinal Sen, Mahesh Bhatt and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Suhel has written two books: one ‘In Your Face’ a collection of his columns and the other, Kalighat to Calcutta in co-authorship with Khushwant Singh and R K Laxman.
Suhel Seth was born in Calcutta. He did his schooling from St. Joseph’s College, Nainital and La Martiniere, Calcutta, and went to Jadavpur University to do his BA (English Honours), and MA (International Relations). Suhel founded Equus along with his brother in 1996; then founded Quadra Advisory with the late Shunu Sen in 1999 and started his own consultancy Counselage India in 2006. Counselage is India’s only strategic marketing and branding consultancy. Besides this, Suhel Seth sits on the international boards of Cavendish and RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London) and on the regional boards of Citibank, Coca Cola, Drayton Capital and Max Foundation. Suhel is also the Chairman of both CII and FICCI’s marketing committees. Suhel is also a member of the Experts’ Committee of the Railway Board of India and is advisor to the Railways as also to the Indian Railway Minister.
Mrs. Vidya Balan
Indian actress, Model
Vidya Balan is an Indian actress, who appears mainly in Hindi films.
After graduating with a degree in sociology, she started her career starring in music videos, television shows and commercials, before making her feature film debut with the independent Bengali drama Bhalo Theko (2003).
Balan received positive notice for her first Hindi film, Parineeta (2005), and followed it with a leading role in the blockbuster Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006), and other such hit films as Guru, Heyy Babyy and Bhool Bhulaiyaa (all 2007).
2009 marked the beginning of the most successful period in Balan’s career as she portrayed five back-to-back roles to wide critical acclaim in Paa (2009), Ishqiya (2010), No One Killed Jessica (2011), The Dirty Picture (2011) and Kahaani (2012).
These roles have further established her as one of the leading contemporary actresses of Hindi cinema and earned her several major awards.Balan has received one National Film Award for Best Actress, five Filmfare Awards, including two for Best Actress and one for Best Actress – Critics, as well as three consecutive Screen Awards for Best Actress.
The actress can speak English, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil and Bengali very well. In 1998, this elegant beauty started her career as a model in the Surf Excel advertisement.
Later she appeared in more than 25 advertising short films such as Ponds, Bajaj and others.She acted in a few music videos for Euphoria, Shubha Mudgal and Pankaj Udhas.
She was also seen in TV serials such as Ashok Pandit’s Hanste Khelte and Ekta Kapoor’s Hum Paanch as well as a Bengali movie Bhalo Theko with actor Joy Sengupta. She won the Best Actress Award, Anand Lok Puraskar for this movie in Kolkata.
Vidya’s father PR Balan is the Vice-President of ETC Network while her mother is a homemaker. She also has a sister named Priya. Vidya went to St Antony’s School in Chembur and graduated in Sociology from St Xavier’s College.
JURY, WORLD CONSULTING & RESEARCH CORPORATION
