Leadership Team

V K Cherian
Director, Finishing School & Communications

VK Cherian is a journalist turned strategic communications professional with 36 years of experience in the capital city of New Delhi. After the first 20 years in mainline media including, Television, he shifted to strategic public communications.

His foray into strategic communications began with the industry projects in telecoms, unfolding of the Tehelka episode and went on to join the communications industry with Concept PR. Being a telecom specialist he effectively handled clients like Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, Vodafone Plc and also DLF Ltd. He headed the financial public relations agencies such as Adfactors PR and Concept PR in New Delhi. He served as Director, Corporate Communications of Sistema Shyam Telecommunications ltd (MTS) for an year. He also served as a Senior Director of Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) (2013-15). Responsibilities included launch of MTS data card and public education of the science behind the mobile telephone technology.

He was inducted by Public Relations Council of India into the HALL OF Fame in March 2015. He is widely networked in media, government, industry and politics.

Cherian is a member of professional bodies like Press Club of India and runs an NGO with South Africa, Indo-Afrikhadi Foundation. He currently resides at Delhi with his family. He is known for his personal integrity, commitment and professionalism. He has been an occasional resource person in various media training schools especially Indian Institute of Mass Communication, his alma mater.

In mainline media, he worked with Delhi bureau of dailies, Deccan Chronicle, Mathrubhoomi, The Hitavada, Amrita Bazar Patrika, Financial Express and The Hindu Business Line. He specialized in IT/ Telecom subjects with the advent of economic reforms and became Editor of the technology journal, Telematics India and also served as Editor for IT News at Jain TV. He also reported both houses of Indian Parliament for 10 years.

Cherian is a post graduate diploma holder form Indian Institute of Communications in New Delhi, 1980 and did his PG and graduate studies from Kerala University, at Thiruvananthapuram. He was also trained at Institute for Journalism, W Berlin. His specialties include: Strategic Public Affairs & communications, Social equity, technology, media, films.

His published books include The Scam and the Rajas of the Money Market (1993), Har-Anand Publications Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, Satyagraha – Indian and South African artist’s tribute to the spirit of 9-11-1906 – Collection of Essays and catalogue (2006), Published by Afrikhadi India and Kizo Gallery, Durban, Crisis of Corporate Communism-Politics of Murder in Kerala (2013), Har-Anad Publications Pvt Ltd, New Delhi and India’s Film Society Movement: Its Journey and Impact (2016), Sage Publications, New Delhi. He also wrote numerous articles in English and Malayalam in mainline media and journals across India and abroad. Produced many Television series as independent content Editor for Doordarshan in 1990s, Asianet and Jain TV, channels. Made video documentaries, Khadi, The Metaphor of Hope (2003) and Afri-khadi – The thread that binds (2005).

Director of NGO-Indo-Afric-Khadi foundation. Organised the centenary of Satyagraha through an Indian S African artists tribute to spirit of Satyagraha in New Delhi and Durban. In New Delhi, President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam inaugurated the exhibition.

Widely travelled, plans to cover all continents. (Australia and Latin American and Artic region-left to travel). Interested in politics, social trends and technologies. Passionate about arts, films and networking with liberal right-thinking people across the world.

Email: vk@artofstrategix.com

For Detailed profile: www.vkcherian.in

Prashant Tandon
Head, Digital Media

Prashant Tandon is 25 years veteran in journalism and a known news broadcast editor. He served in top media houses in key positions and has played a leadership role in launch and re-launch of news channels. Techno savvy Prashant has a right blend of an informed and sensitive journalist with excellent management skills. This combination has produced success stories on assignments he undertook during his career. As Head of Assignment and Editor Newsgathering he was among the core team behind successful launch of Channel 7 (now IBN 7). He was also part of launch team of Star News in Mumbai. He has been Executive Editor of India TV and Managing Editor of TV 9 in Mumbai. In all news channels Prashant was pioneer in creating unique content strategies for each project and ensured successful execution.

He has also been engaged in challenging reporting assignments for TVI which was first round the clock news channel of Business India Group.

Besides being a key player and close witness to emergence of broadcast media in India Prashant also served Greenpeace India as Head of Media and Communications.

Prashant is practising as an independent media professional and also a media consultant for TV Project of Delhi’s Legislative Assembly.

Associations: He is also active participant in social sector through non-profit organizations and founder member of Broadcast Editors Association (BEA), he is also a faculty member of Media Studies Group – a media think tank. He is also member trustee of Shaani Foundation which is named after celebrated Hindi author Shaani and work for the promotion of Hindi literature. Prashant also runs Drishti- a campaign for awareness on cornea donation. As a board member of Feet for Future, Prashant is also active in welfare of destitute children.

Prashant is also active in media and communications academics as visiting faculty for several colleges university and sits on advisory boards of few reputed media schools.

A firm believer in experiments and innovation in news content Prashant is an avid reader with vast bandwidth and has a passion for painting, traveling, running and photography. Prashant lives in Delhi.

Email: prashant@artofstrategix.com

Chiranjit Chakraborty
Head, Admissions and Placement

Chiranjit Chakraborty has been a Public Relations professional for 18 years and has worked with reputed Public Relations agencies in the country. For most part of his career, he has been responsible for strategic communication planning and media networking. Working for clients from diverse business sector ranging from Life Style & Hospitality to energy, power, banking and finance has given him vast experience in various domains. Known for his networking skills, Chiranjit has deep experience in crisis communications. Strategic Planning along with focused delivery mechanisms has been his forte.

A 24X7 professional, Chiranjit has worked at different metro cities in the country. This has helped him to learn the nuances of media at different regions thus helping him to expand and nourish an all India network of professional. His last association was with Concept PR as Vice President.

A Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communications from Jadavpur University, Chiranjit has been living in Delhi NCR for more than a decade. He is socially active in community activities.

Email: chiranjit@artofstrategix.com

Tushar Mukherjee
Head, Brand and Coordination

With over 20 years’ of industry experience working at MNCs and global consulting organizations (APCO Worldwide, Accenture, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd., Jubilant Life Sciences, Alstom and ABB), Tushar Mukherjee has a rich exposure in Strategic Communications, Public Affairs, Employee Engagement Programs, Public Relations, Corporate Positioning, Reputation Management, Brand Marketing and Stakeholder Relations.

His ability to connect and drive engagement with key stakeholders using a variety of channels and strategies makes him an exceptional Government Relations and PR professional. Expertise spans across domains including Manufacturing, Energy, Transportation, Steel, Pharmaceutical, Consulting and Technology. Tushar has handled key external stakeholders across government, regulatory bodies, policy makers, industry associations and business council on a range of issues.

Strengths include leading and planning proactive stakeholder outreach programs, engagement strategy and digital marketing, stakeholder management and tactical plans to build protect and strengthen organization’s reputation with stakeholders.

In his previous roles, Tushar was responsible for developing and executing communications strategy and campaigns including branding, employee communications, public relations and perception management to position organization through a mix of digital marketing and conventional platforms. He has also led and managed corporate communications, advertising, event management and social responsibility across states and business development in Government space.

A confident communicator and proficient at working with leadership and team member’s with excellent organizational and planning skills, multi-faceted, project management and time management skills.

From academic qualification, he is a Post-Graduate in Communications and Public Relations from Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, New Delhi and holds a bachelor’s degree in Arts and Humanities from Delhi University.

Email: tushar@artofstrategix.com