Event Agenda, 17th July, 2026

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Event Agenda

BrandCommunion Convergence
Summit & Awards 2026

Friday, July 17, 2026

10:30 AM
Registration
11:00 – 11:15 AM
Opening Remarks
Karan Bhatia
KB
Karan Bhatia
Founder, Brand Communion
11:15 – 11:45 AM
Session 1

Marketing's New Mandate: Driving Core Business Growth in a Volatile Economy

The days of marketing being viewed purely as a creative or promotional department are gone. Today's CMOs must position marketing as a primary, measurable engine of business growth and corporate strategy.

Kunal Sharma
KS
Kunal Sharma
Vice President - Marketing and Organized Trade, KRBL Ltd.
Dr Ashish Kaul
AK
Dr. Ashish Kaul
Managing Editor, Newstrustindia
Anupama Mukherjee Rawat
AR
Anupama Mukherjee Rawat
Chief Marketing Officer, Wadhwani Foundation
Samir Sethi
SS
Samir Sethi
Head of Brand Marketing, Policybazaar
Arindam Bhattacharjee
AB
Moderator - Arindam Bhattacharjee
B-school Editor, Business Standard
11:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Keynote
12:00 – 12:30 PM
Session 2

GEO Playbook: Navigating Consumer Behaviour in the Era of AI

AI-powered platforms and generative search are transforming how consumers discover, evaluate, and choose brands. This discussion will examine evolving consumer journeys, the growing importance of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and how brands can remain visible, relevant, and competitive in an AI-driven ecosystem.

Kammal Kalra
KK
Kammal Kalra
Co-founder, Cosmickues.
Prabhu Ram
PR
Prabhu Ram
Vice President (VP) – Industry Research Group, CyberMedia Research (CMR)
Sayesha Arora
SA
Moderator - Sayesha Arora
Associate Vice President and GeoFluent Lead India, Zeno Group
12:30 – 12:45 PM
Keynote
Nitin Mantri
NM
Nitin Mantri
Group CEO, AvianWE.
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Networking Lunch
2:00 – 2:30 PM
Session 3

Brand Reputation: How to device a perfect strategy for crisis in era of digital deepfakes for brand

Deepfakes and synthetic media can trigger reputational crises within minutes. This session will explore how brands can strengthen crisis preparedness, detect emerging threats, build resilient reputation management frameworks, and maintain stakeholder trust in an increasingly complex misinformation landscape.

Sanjeev Handa
SH
Sanjeev Handa
Sr. Vice President, Maruti Suzuki India Limited
Jagruti Kirloskar
JK
Jagruti Kirloskar
Brand & Communications Leader
Deepa Dey
DD
Deepa Dey
Integrated Comms Specialist
Ajey Maharaj
AM
Ajey Maharaj
Head of Corporate Communicationse, Fortis Healthcare
Ruchika Batra
RB
Ruchika Batra
VP Marketing& Communications, Ericsson
Moderator - Sahil K Khanna
SK
Moderator - Sahil K Khanna
Co-founder & COO, Kotona
2:30 – 2:50 PM
Session 4

Skills PR Professionals Need to Thrive in the Next Decade as AI Reshapes the Industry

While AI is streamlining routine tasks, human skills such as strategic thinking, creativity, storytelling, relationship building, ethical judgment, and crisis management remain essential. How PR professionals need to stay relevant, leverage AI effectively, and deliver greater impact. Gain practical insights into building future-ready skills that will help you adapt, lead, and thrive in the next decade of public relations.

Madhurima Bhatia
MB
Madhurima Bhatia
Head of PR, Media Engagement & Partnerships, IPSOS
Abhi Mahapatra
AM
Abhi Mahapatra
Founder & CEO, AMPERA
Pradeep wadhwa
PW
Pradeep Wadhwa
Founder, Kritical Edge Consulting Pvt Ltd
Shivani Gupta
SG
Shivani Gupta
Managing Partner, Spag Finn Partners
Moderator - Madhavi Khanna
MK
Moderator - Madhavi Khanna
Vice President, BrandCommunion
2:50 – 3:10 PM
Special Session

Rulebook: How RFP needs rationalization so agency gets their credit for ideation

The RFP process often sparks debate around the use and ownership of creative ideas. Bringing together brands and agencies, this discussion will explore ways to improve transparency, fairness, and recognition of intellectual capital while fostering stronger, more sustainable partnerships.

Neha Mehrotra
NM
Neha Mehrotra
Managing Director, AvianWE
Abhinav Kanchan
NM
Abhinav Kanchan
President & Group Head, Puravankara Ltd
Moderator - Tarunjeet Rattan
TR
Moderator - Tarunjeet Rattan
Managing Partner, Nucleus PR
3:10 – 3:30 PM
Fireside Chat

From Broadcasting to Dialogue: Leveraging Social and Digital Media to Build Public Trust and Empower Citizens.

Arun Yadav
AY
Arun Yadav
State Head Social Media Department, BJP Haryana
Udit Pathak
UP
Udit Pathak
MD and CEO, Media Mantra Group
3:30 - 4:00 PM
Session 5

Policy and Advocacy in resharing brand narrative

Policy, regulation, and public discourse increasingly influence business outcomes. This session will explore how brands can use strategic advocacy to strengthen reputation, contribute to industry conversations, and build meaningful relationships with policymakers, stakeholders, and communities.

Sunita Patnaik
SP
Sunita Patnaik
Partner & India Head, DGA Group Albright Stonebridge Group
Amardeep Ahluwalia
AA
Amardeep Singh Ahluwalia
Founder & Managing Director, EVARA India Strategic Advisory
Dr Rajeev Chhibber
RC
Dr. Rajiv Chhibber
Vice President, External Affairs, Sahajanand Medical Technologies
Valerie Pinto
VP
Valerie Pinto
Managing Director India and Executive Director of Corporate Asia, APCO
Abhishek Gulyani
AG
Abhishek Gulyani
Managing Director India and Head Corporate Affairs APAC, Zeno Group
Moderator - Aasheesh Sharma
AS
Moderator - Aasheesh Sharma
Digital Editor, Outlook
4:00 – 4:30 PM
Session 6

Creators Economy: How it is empowering Indian economy

The creator economy has evolved into a major driver of entrepreneurship, employment, consumer influence, and digital commerce. Industry leaders will discuss its growing economic impact, emerging monetization opportunities, and the role creators play in shaping India's digital and business landscape.

Aryan Anurag
AA
Aryan Anurag
Co-Founder, Binge Labs
Tanya Singh
TS
Tanya Singh
Lifestyle Influencer & Communications Strategist
Sayantani Mandal
SM
Sayantani Mandal
Co-founder, What's Up Wellness
Mansi Panpalia
MP
Mansi Panpalia
Co-founder, OpraahFx
Mrinalani Teotia
MT
Mrinalani Teotia
Brand Strategist
Moderator - Yash Bhatia
YB
Moderator - Yash Bhatia
Consulting Editor, BrandCommunion
4:30 – 5:00 PM
Session 7

CSR and Social Work: Building Sustainable Communities Through Collaborative Action

Exploring the role of businesses, NGOs, and social workers in addressing communities pressing challenges through ethical, inclusive and sustainable initiatives. How their partnerships empower marginalized populations, and create lasting impact.

Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj
DB
Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj
Director, Ekam Nyay Foundation
Malvika Mudgal
MM
Malvika Mudgal
Founder, Jagan Foundation
Arun Arora
AA
Arun Arora
Head and Director Strategy & Communications, Chetak Foundation
Dr. Anush Gasparyan
AG
Dr. Anush Gasparyan
President and Co-Founder, RoMana Center for Women's Rights and Leadership
Girish Balachandran
GB
Girish Balachandran
Founder, ON PURPOSE
Moderator- Diksha Verma
DV
Moderator- Diksha Verma
Communications Manager India & APAC, Hewlett Packard Enterprise
6:30 – 6:50 PM
Fireside Chat

Steering the marketing engine in a complex world

Rakesh Kaul
RK
Rakesh Kaul
Managing Director & CEO, Livpure Smart
Mehraj Dube
MD
Mehraj Dube
Founder and Managing Partner, Your Next Orbit