Expertise
- Corporate Counselling
- Media Monitoring and Analysis
- Research
- Media Relations
- Financial Relations
- Government Relations
- Editorial & Creative Services
- Marketing Communications
- Crisis Communications & Training
- CEO Briefings
- Employee Relations
- Public Affairs
As a pioneer in this business in India, IPAN led the way in the use of PR as a strategic tool to help clients achieve their business objectives. IPAN is equipped to outline strategies to gain public goodwill and win support for the client’s policies, products and services.
Researchers at IPAN can give you a wide range of information and analysis on subjects as varied as general economic and consumer trends, latest technological developments, international trade patterns, and business and financial trends.
Media coverage influences public perceptions. It is vital to keep track of the media, to know what is being said, who is saying it and why. Staying abreast of news and views is vital to business strategy. The IPAN Resource Center tracks major national and international publications. We maintain a regular clipping service. Clips are categorised according to publication and content. To track our voluminous files, we have developed a computer-based storage and retrieval system that can scan through our database which covers 10 publications and 180 categories. In addition, we have the capacity to track the regional press and broadcast media as well.
Our objective is to keep on top of breaking news stories and trends. The Resource Center keeps its pulse on public affairs and feeds up-to- the-minute information to our service teams and, on request, directly to clients. The policy quite simply is: no surprises. You always know what is happening in the world.
A professional relationship with the media is the cornerstone of public affairs management. IPAN has a network to reach the media around the country and worldwide. Our approach is straightforward, aimed at helping journalists discharge their obligation to report the news fairly and accurately.
To this end, we provide journalists information on a variety of subjects, not always related to client business. As a result, we frequently receive requests for information and tips on major stories. We work to ensure the coverage of client affairs is fair and unbiased, factual and accurate.
Our professionals are also familiar with schedules and staffing patterns at various news organisations. This allows us to organise press conferences and briefings to suit journalists’ deadlines. We find ways to carry your message to the right audience at the right time.
Every client of ours has at some point or the other utilised these services. The client list includes Unilever, Kingfisher Airlines, Swatch Group, ESPN, Berger Paints, Philips, Aviva Life Insurance, Castrol, Continental Airlines, Lucent Technologies, Monsterindia.com, Goldman Sachs, CRY, ITC and Oxford Bookstores, among others.
IPAN works with clients to communicate with the financial community through such areas as:
* Lists of key media and key influentials
* Comprehensive IR kit
* Financial publicity and media relations
* Speeches and fact books
* Annual reports
* Newsletters
* Branding of public issue of equity and debt instruments
* Direct mail
* Analysts meetings
* Perceptions audit and
* Audiovisual presentations
India is going through a period of dramatic political change. In less than two years, the country witnessed two national elections and three prime ministers heading coalition governments comprising between 13 and 18 political parties. This is a far cry from the days of single party domination of the nation’s polity. The central government’s stability and, consequently, its economic policies can no longer be taken for granted.
It is in recognition of this changed environment that IPAN has entered the field of government relations. IPAN’s approach to government relations practice is about knowledge and persuasion. Our clients need to know what’s going on in the government so that they can take advantage of business opportunities as they emerge in an ever- changing politico-economic environment. In addition, there may be a need to explain and argue a company’s position with regard to current government policy as relating to a particular issue and also influence it in a positive and collaborative manner.
IPAN specialises in interactive and meaningful dialogue with the government. Our government relations unit keeps track of changes in ministerial and bureaucratic portfolios. It establishes regular contact with concerned legislators and officials across wide-ranging interest areas and provides them with an update on client business plans and corporate direction.
In today’s era of competitive business and emergent regulatory environment, it is important for a corporation to understand government requirements and, accordingly, fine-tune its product and service strategies for the Indian marketplace. The unit closely follows new political developments and offers advice to clients as to how best they can align corporate goals with government priorities and, if required, suggest positive ways in which the two can be synergized.
IPAN’s government relations unit maintains a strong working rapport with the media, key business and industry associations, diplomatic missions, think tanks, academic institutions, and consumer and other pressure groups that are actively consulted by the government.
Additionally, the unit brings out special advisories, reports and analyses of important developments and policy announcements by the government so that clients are kept abreast of changes that affect their business prospects.
Writing releases and other material for distribution to the press calls for special skills, a flair for writing and a nose for news. All material that IPAN develops is written to suit the style of a particular publication, be it a newspaper or a magazine. Consequently, it finds its way into print with minimal editorial changes.
But that is not all. Readability is critical. It is not enough that your release is carried by the press. Readers must read and understand what you say. We look beyond editorial approval to reader comprehension. The material we prepare is finely honed, rid of excess fat and complexity.
Our editorial services extend to the development of brochures, annual reports, newsletters, audiovisual scripts, advertisements. We also offer highly specialised editorial services, including speech writing and the development of white papers and backgrounders. These special services have been utilised by various clients including Hindustan Lever Limited, Citigroup, World Bank and ITC.
IPAN adds depth to an organisation’s advertising and marketing communications mix and helps build brands. This is done through endorsements in the media, either direct or third party. Such endorsements sustain the messages during the gaps in advertising schedules and marketing campaign. Product endorsements also add impact to new launches and revitalise mature brands. Most of all, we seek to communicate messages about products and services in a memorable and credible manner.
Crisis Communications & Training
Training in and managing crisis communications is another IPAN capability. IPAN has ably supported clients in times of crisis with special communications workshops, professional networking, media relations, and liaison with key influential groups and relevant publics through mailers and tele-information services. In times of crisis, clear, quick and effective communication, both internal and external, is critical. IPAN sets into motion special programs tailored to suit the client’s need. These include one or more of the following:
* Special crisis communication workshops.
* Professional networking in a forthright manner.
* Crisis press relations, including news releases, exclusive interviews and press conferences.
* Liaison with key government officials and other influential groups.
Direct solicitation to relevant publics through mailers and tele-information services.
For more information, write to info@ipan.com.
CEO briefings--customized India briefing books and special one-on-one briefing sessions--are a valuable aid for visiting CEOs. The briefing books are lucid guides to the latest developments in India’s economic, social, and political environment. They also contain a primer on cultural sensitivities. Additionally, they contain profiles of key influentials in government and media who the CEOs are likely to meet.
The fundamental, irreplaceable element of every business is people. Employee relations can have a direct impact on a company’s bottom line and therefore deserve the careful attention that marketing, cost analysis and other critical corporate functions receive. Improved employee morale and cooperation translates into increased productivity and can be critical in avoiding or mitigating the effects of crises. IPAN’s professionals are equipped to create an employee relations and organizational communications strategy as well as develop the means to carry it out.
Although newsletters were once management’s sole vehicle for communicating with employees, today a wide variety of more effective tools exist – video “magazines”, training programs, informational “hotlines” and an array of employee publications. IPAN can help organizations identify the correct approach and develop the materials that approach requires.
The process often begins with an internal communications audit, which is an analysis of the organization’s existing communications flow and how that process can be improved. This is especially effective if the client recognizes, or anticipates, organizational communications problems.
IPA.N’s research techniques can help determine the appropriate communications strategy. Once that is made, IPAN creates the vehicle that will be most effective in carrying out that strategy.
Crisis situations demand special communications solutions. Professionals at IPAN are well aware that it is critical to maintain the trust of employees during a hostile takeover or a strike or when an accident occurs at a plant. Also, employee concerns at these times often become public issues. We, at IPAN, know how and to whom to deliver the client’s message. We have counseled Citibank NA., HCL Hewlett Packard and TVS Whirlpool Limited for employee related communications.
The development and execution of public affairs strategies are the core strengths of IPAN. Among our successful campaigns are those on behalf of STAR TV (to beat back a discriminatory cable TV regulation bill), the Soaps and Toiletries Manufacturers Association (to secure reduction in duties on cosmetics), the Express Industry Council of India (to stall a bill designed to protect the monopoly of the post office), the All India Meat and Livestock Exporters Association (to counter militant vegetarian groups seeking the closure of mechanized abattoirs producing meat for exports) and the Tea Packeters Association of India (to secure removal of excise duty on packaged tea).
For more information, write to info@ipan.com.