PR League India leaderboard: Meet the top 10 teams after first 2 rounds

Amrit Ahuja is a veteran communication consultant with over 28 years of experience in marketing, PR, and digital media. She has partnered with leading organisations such as the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, UNICEF-Yuwaah, Meta, and Zee Networks to develop communication and branding strategies that drive both business goals and social impact.

She has also been the director, communications for Facebook in India.

Passionate about empowering women leaders, Amrit actively mentors professionals on building their personal brand and finding their purpose. She leverages her extensive network and deep industry knowledge to guide the next generation, embracing the flexibility and diversity of her work as a consultant.

Aayushmaan Singhal is a dynamic corporate communications professional with a decade of experience in strategic communications, media relations, and brand management. As deputy general manager of corporate communications at Jindal Steel & Power Ltd., he plays a crucial role in shaping the company's external communications and strengthening its corporate reputation.

Before joining Jindal Steel, Aayushmaan honed his expertise at leading public relations agencies, where he provided strategic counsel to a diverse portfolio of clients across various sectors. He is known for his ability to craft compelling brand narratives and execute impactful communication campaigns that align with key business objectives.

Bhuvana Subramanyan is the author of ‘THE POWER OF EMOTIONAL MARKETING’ and the creator of the Spectrum of Sensations™ Framework for Emotional Marketing. An award-winning marketing leader with nearly 30 years of experience, Bhuvana is known for her strategic acumen and ability to craft innovative,
customer-centric campaigns that drive business growth and build strong brand equity.

Over the course of her career, she has held leadership roles at some of the world’s most respected organisations, including Randstad, IBM, Brandcomm, TNT, Aptech and Vijay TV. Today, Bhuvana works as an independent consultant, advising top Indian and global brands on marketing strategy, brand communication, sales enablement and thought leadership.

Sharmishtha Ghosh is a seasoned communications leader with over 20 years of experience, specialising in the healthcare and social impact sectors. As Senior Vice President at Avian WE, she leads the practice, providing strategic counsel to a diverse range of clients, from pharmaceutical companies to public health organisations and NGOs.

Her expertise lies in developing and executing integrated communication campaigns that drive policy change, raise awareness, and build corporate reputation. Before joining Avian WE, Sharmishtha held significant roles at other leading communications consultancies, where she honed her skills in advocacy, brand building, and crisis management for the health and development sectors.

"What I’m really hoping to see in the PR League are teams who think on their feet, bring fresh ideas that feel true to them, and show how communications can actually move people or businesses forward. 

Come in with curiosity, courage and clarity, that’s what will set you apart."

"I look forward to seeing how young minds bring a new perspective with a clear sense of purpose. It will be interesting to see how these next-generation leaders go beyond the conventional methods and present strategies that blend innovation with impact."

"What I’ll be looking for is clarity of thought, creativity rooted in business impact, and the ability to tell a story that resonates beyond the campaign. Too often, we see ideas that are clever but don’t ladder up to real outcomes. 

The participants who stand out will be the ones who can connect bold ideas with measurable influence, whether that’s shifting perception, driving adoption, or strengthening reputation. That ability to bridge storytelling with ROI driven results is what sets the next generation of leaders apart."

I’ll be looking for entries that demonstrate originality and innovation, delivering measurable impact beyond basic objectives. 

I’m especially interested in how teams leverage AI to develop personalised, predictive strategies through data-driven, interactive storytelling that resonates with audiences and achieves tangible results.”

“As we embark on this journey to identify the next generation of PR leaders, I am keenly looking forward to hearing fresh perspectives from participants who can combine sharp business acumen with practical real-world applications and demonstrate their ability to share feasible and innovative solutions. 

Essentially, for me, clear communication, logical flow and a sharp focus on business impact will be the key differentiators. I am also eager to see how they leverage strategic thinking and storytelling to create impactful campaigns, especially in the B2B space. This competition is an excellent platform for them to showcase their skills, and I am confident that we will witness some extraordinary ideas and strategies.”

"I believe communications is far more than media visibility. I am keen to understand its role within the organisation, how it has shaped internal alignment, influenced perceptions on key issues, and catalysed actions that translated into tangible business impact."

"I would expect a deep understanding of the political and economic environment and the media landscape.

A differentiation in the product or service offering and harnessing of technology like AI without being a slave to it."