PROFILE

C Chitti Pantulu chittipantulu@gmail.com

SUMMARY My 25 years plus experience as a communicator, first as a business journalist and then as a Marcom professional with reputed institutions, should be of interest to large corporations and institutions seeking to brand themselves effectively. Exposed to the corporate sector and the media equally, I am highly attuned to planning and executing strategic brand communications and messaging apart from leveraging digital platforms for better implementation of online strategies and effective storytelling. I currently anchor strategy and partnerships for an AI-driven publishing startup responsible, in particular, for fine-tuning the product strategy and stitching up alliances with media houses, corporates and other industry players. Given my experience in the media I also set the editorial direction for the platform. Prior to the current engagement, I was leading the branding and communications function at the Indian School of Business (ISB). Previously, I held the position of Head, Global Communications at Fortune 100 company Honeywell’s technology services arm Honeywell Technology Solutions (HTS), leading strategic internal and external communications, leadership messaging, employee engagement and CSR. Before moving over to the corporate side, I was a business journalist working with leading publications in India and abroad for several years, writing and reporting on various sectors ranging from pharma and technology to politics, civil aviation and foreign affairs.

Experience

February 2017 – Current Director & Editor-in-Chief, Veooz Labs Pvt. Ltd. (NewsPlus) Veooz is a startup specializing in AI driven digital news and content aggregation. Typical of any startup I wear several hats. As Director, Strategy & Partnerships I am responsible for product strategy and market outreach including partnerships with media organizations and corporates. I was instrumental in a pivot for the company into the enterprise space, including conceptualizing the development of custom mobile Apps for organizational communication and messaging. Given my past experience as a journalist I also set the editorial character for the product and ensure consistent quality.

September 2014 – February 2017 Director, Marcom, Indian School of Business (isb) Leading a 10-member cross-location team in Hyderabad and Mohali, Punjab, I was responsible for the leading B-School’s brand across markets. Apart from the internal teams I leveraged a vast vendor network of advertising and PR agencies, for messaging and outreach across digital, print and social media channels for the School. I was also the Editor of ISBInsight, the flagship quarterly research journal of the ISB with responsibility for commissioning, editing and publishing the quarterly research magazine. Among the many initiatives taken during my tenure, I rolled out a Brand Audit for the School and put in place a Branding and PR Strategy to increase share of voice among stakeholder groups including the media. Some other major projects taken up included the following: ü  Rolled out brand audit for ISB ü  Developed an integrated communications and branding framework  ü  On-boarded a new PR agency for the School ü  Launched a mobile App for ISBInsight for wider dissemination of the research brand of the School ü  Carried out a social media audit leading to the consolidation of disparate channels for aggregated brand salience ü  Conceptualized the Dean’s Speaker Series event for enhancing the School’s thought leadership brand ü  Revamped the School website for contemporary design and focused messaging February 2010 – September 2014 Leader, Global Communications, Honeywell Technology Solutions (HTS) As a member of Honeywell’s Global Communications Council (GCC), I was responsible for all internal and external messaging and branding for HTS including leadership messaging, employee and community engagement and crisis communication. I was supported by a cross-location team in India, China and the Czech Republic and closely involved in formulating and executing communications and branding strategies for leadership teams across locations. Some highlights: ü  Rolled out integrated communication framework across HTS global ü  Revamped the company Intranet and strengthened online engagement ü  Established an in-house TV studio for streamlined audio-visual productions ü  Media trained top leadership at HTS  ü  Ideated and steered several employee engagement initiatives ü  Conceptualized HTS Catalyst, as part of HTS’ Science Lab project for schools ü  Anchored communication around institutionalizing organizational DNA  ü  Streamlined leadership communication channels including quarterly leadership messaging and conduct of townhall meetings ü  Effectively managed crisis situations on at least two occasions that involved managing the media for damage control and positive brand affirmation ü  Doubled up as interim comms resource for Honeywell India for one year August 2005 – February 2010 Business Editor, Daily News & Analysis (DNA) I was part of the launch team at the DNA starting off as a Special Correspondent covering everything from pharma, IT, and economics to politics from Hyderabad. Quickly moved up the ranks to become Sr. Editor and Business Editor, to launch the Bangalore edition of the newspaper while anchoring DNA Money from the center. November 2004 - July 2005  Associate Editor, businessToday, Oman  My first overseas assignment with the express purpose of helping out with the redesign and re-launch of Oman’s leading business monthly. Was instrumental in the introducing new editorial elements in the product apart from broadening the scope of coverage. April 1993 – April 1995 & August 2000 – November 2004   Chief of Bureau/ Principal Correspondent, The Economic Times   Anchored the editorial operations for the country’s largest selling business daily in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh state from Hyderabad leading a team of correspondents in Hyderabad. Apart from ramping up business coverage, I increased the political content from the city in the newspaper. Also introduced a weekly lifestyle page to reflect growing local trends. Broke several national stories in areas like telecom and information technology apart from state politics.   At The Economic Times, Delhi I was part of the special reports team and wrote a series of full-pagers for newspaper on subjects ranging from parliamentary issues to software piracy and international trade. It was great learning experience given the in-depth nature of the writing across categories. April 1995 – August 2000 Associate Editor, The Financial Express I set up the bureau for the newspaper and built it up from scratch. A particularly satisfying achievement was ideating and being part of the launch team for the eFE, the country’s first dedicated e-business supplement. Also covered politics extensively while at FE. Was promoted quickly from Special Correspondent to Chief of Bureau and later to Associate Editor.   June 1991 – April 1995 Senior Correspondent, The Deccan Herald   I anchored coverage of economics, business and foreign affairs for the Southern headquartered newspaper from New Delhi. Kept pace with the rapid first wave of economic reforms getting a ringside view of the developments while reporting, analyzing and breaking news from the capital. Apart from policy coverage, also gained proficiency in covering areas like commodities, politics and foreign affairs. January 1987 – June 1991  Reporter/Sub-editor, The Press Trust of India   As a part of the launch team of the PTI Corporate Trends, the fortnightly business features service of the premier news agency, this was the time when I cut my teeth into full time business journalism. Working under the guidance of seasoned economists it was a great learning experience in analyzing economic and corporate trends. This was also the place where I developed an interest in science and technology, particularly IT, and contributed frequently to the PTI Science Service. It was also the time when business TV was taking off with India’s first business program, PTI TV’s Money Matters, started airing, which gave me the opportunity at TV reporting and scripting. June 1985 – January 1987 INDEPENDENT CONTRIBUTOR - Freelance Journalist   I contributed to several newspapers including the Hindustan Times, the Pioneer, the National Herald and the Deccan Chronicle during this time as a freelancer apart from writing for syndication services on subjects from education to science and general features on common interests.

Education

1. Master of Communication & Journalism, Osmania University, Hyderabad, 1985 2. Bachelor of Mass Communication, Panjab University, 1984 3. Bachelor of Commerce,  Delhi University, New Delhi, 1982 4. Fellow Reuters Institute, Green Templeton College, University of Oxford, 2001-     2002         Vocational Training & Qualifications  ·         Trained in Design Thinking Methodologies, LUMA Institute ·         Proficiency in web tools and designing, Familiar with most publishing software ·         Diploma in Computer Data Processing, Programming in Basic/COBOL         Volunteer Experience As part of my pro bono engagements I help produce a community newspaper and maintain its website, www.tarnakatimes.com for a national level civil society organization apart from being actively involved with local community associations, particularly the Standing Committee of Tarnaka Resident Welfare Associations (SCOTRWA), a pioneering conglomeration of 18 RWAs. This apart I also advice the Confederation of RWAs (CoRWA), a national body of residents’ associations, on their outreach initiatives. I am also helping them with setting up Hyderabad’s first Urban Community Radio project.       Languages ·         Highly proficient in English (read/write/speak) ·         Highly proficient in Telugu (read/write/speak) ·         Proficient in Hindi (read/write/speak)              referneces  - Available on request