Hey, Postgrad PR and Comms Students: RiseUp PR 2025 Is Here—Join the Adventure!

"The dynamic landscape of the communications industry demands fearless, innovative and entrepreneurial thinkers," said Abhishek Gulyani, managing director of Zeno India and head of corporate affairs, Asia Pacific.

"RiseUp PR offers a unique opportunity for young talent in India to rise to the challenge and showcase their ability to navigate the complex and constantly evolving scenarios that brands and organizations face today. By participating in this competition, students will have the chance to work with industry mentors from both India and international markets, gaining invaluable experience and positioning themselves for success in the communications industry", Gulyani added.

"The operating environment for organisations has never been more challenging. PR students who will enter the market next year will have to deal with geo-political uncertainties, a permacrisis environment and the need to integrate media engagement with social media outreach. 

Added to that are the complexities of platforms and the overflow of information. We at Kaizzen are very pleased to partner with PR Moment for RiseUp, it is a great initiative to support the learning and growth of students who want to build their career in the comms industry with mentoring under industry veterans.", said Vineet Handa, founder and CEO, Kaizzen.

Aman Dhall, founder, of CommsCredible stated, "The PR industry in India is on the brink of a major transformation. In today’s era of endless scrolling and fleeting attention spans, the ability to craft meaningful stories and apply real-world insights has never been more critical. At CommsCredible, we believe that #StoryMatters—and so does cultivating talent that not only thinks differently but also takes initiative to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing world. RiseUp PR embodies this ethos by offering post-graduate students an unparalleled opportunity to step into the realities of the PR and communications industry."

"This initiative is more than a competition—it’s a platform to spotlight emerging talent, especially from beyond the metros, and equip them with the skills to lead the next wave of communications. By providing access to industry-leading mentors and offering 100-day internships to the top two winning teams, this is our commitment to empowering the next generation of PR professionals. At CommsCredible, we are proud to champion this effort and look forward to helping this program evolve into a true beacon of student empowerment."

Edition 2 Winners Comment

Gopika Menon, St Joseph's University

"I'm extremely grateful that I got this opportunity. It has indeed helped me broaden my horizons of PR & strategic communications. It was a surreal feeling to read the email that mentioned we won the competition. I had to re-read it to ensure I read it right. It truly is a huge milestone in my life that I shall forever cherish. I can proudly say: 'South India's first winners of RiseUp PR+!"

 Thangamma K M, St Joseph's University

"Participating in and winning this prestigious competition has been a surreal experience. I still cannot believe I have won it. This is indeed a huge professional milestone for me. I want to thank PR Moment India and H+K Strategies for organising this event and providing us students with this wonderful opportunity."

Rahul Murudi, St Joseph's University

"We sincerely thank PRmoment India for providing us with the invaluable opportunity to participate in the Riseup PR. Securing the first runner-up position fills us with immense pride and gratitude, and we largely owe this achievement to the unwavering support and guidance from PRmoment India. This recognition not only validates our hard work and dedication but also serves as a testament to the impactful partnership."

Mentors and Judges' Reactions 

“The enthusiasm alone from the participants was admirable, no doubt. But it is the approach many of them took - on research, market intelligence, brand positioning, product understanding, and making their campaigns integrated - that impressed me the most. It sure points to a very promising bunch of professionals coming our way in the PR space!"- Siddharth Vinayak Patankar, chief creative officer, Acko.

“I was amazed at the depth of thinking demonstrated by the young participants. The holistic approach of utilising comprehensive paid, owned and earned media strategies (POEMS) was quite heartening and I feel with this trend we can expect an enhancement in PR outcomes going forward. I wish them all the best for their careers.”-Sujit Patil, vice president and head - corporate brand and communications, Godrej Group of Industries.

"Gen Z never ceases to impress me; I was genuinely bowled over by the talent of every participant. Kudos to all the participant for their clarity of thought, meticulous research, out of box thinking, thoughtful brand selection, effective use of media, and presentation skills. Judging proved challenging due to the many close calls.

A special compliment to all the mentors for their invaluable contributions and support in preparing the participants for the pitch. Best wishes to all the participants as they embark on their careers."- Rohit Dubey, vice president - corporate communications & advocacy, Jio

"It has been an absolute pleasure for me to be associated as a mentor with this esteemed program. Interacting with the bright young minds involved has indeed been a rewarding experience. The exchange of perspectives from both sides has been enriching, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to their learning journey.

Witnessing the dedication and effort displayed by the students has been inspiring. As they say, success often requires taking bold steps, and I commend each participant for their commitment to growth."

Congratulations to all the winners! Your achievements are well-deserved, and I celebrate your accomplishments wholeheartedly. To those who didn't win, I encourage you to view this experience as a valuable opportunity for growth and learning. I look forward to the continued success and impact of RiseUp PR+ in shaping the future of our industry.”- Varghese, M Thomas Global Head of Communications, Marketing and Social Media, Tata Electronics

"The energy and enthusiasm of the students was truly infectious. We saw exceptional young talent, their creativity, and their ability to address complex communication challenges. It was inspiring to see the strategic thinking of the students. I’m heartened to see educational institutions, PR agencies and journalists coming together to nurture our talent. It's an honour for those of us in the industry to join them in shaping tomorrow's leaders." Nandini Chatterjee, Jury-co-chair and former chief marketing & communications officer, PwC India

"It is always enriching to engage with young minds – I was really impressed with their energy, go-to-market ideas and their passion to make a difference. While some will win while others will learn, I believe in stepping up, to create presentations and present to the jury members, they are all winners! I wish them all success and a joyful career journey – may their tribe grow.” Deepa Dey, former head of communication & sustainability, nutrition and special projects, Hindustan Unilever Limited

“These active engagements through the mentoring sessions created a beautiful platform for mutual learning and growth. I was inspired by the young team’s confidence, fresh perspectives, and innovative ideas. Here's to a growing tribe of people creating more impactful work in our field.” Bhavna Imran, communications leader - South Asia, Corteva Agriscience

“A great experience connecting with the future generation of PR. The discussion provided opportunities to connect, learn, and share new ideas with the participants. RiseUp is a fantastic initiative for aspiring communicators to enhance skills and get ready for the future!” Amrita Sarna, communications lead, Unilever International

RiseUp PR+ was a truly rewarding experience. I got a chance to co-mentor students in this one-of-a-kind industry and academia collaboration brought together by Hill & Knowlton and PRmoment. Despite the limited duration of the competition, it was heartening to guide the students and see them push forward and unlock their potential."Bhavya Sharma, director - communications & ESG, Urban Company

This was my first experience of being a co-mentor to three fabulous students. A one-of-a-kind industry and academia collaboration brought together by Hill & Knowlton and PR Moment, the process was well-defined for both the mentors and the mentees. The mentees were driven by the passion to work hard and smart, wanting to know more, listening to what we had to say and asking the right questions. The result was a great campaign plan. It was heartening to see them push the boundaries and unlock their potential." -Mrinall Dey, vice president & head - PR & Corporate Communications, MobiKwik