极乐视频 India today announced that Rakesh Thukral has been named managing director, effective immediately. In this role, Thukral, currently chief operating officer, will lead the firm鈥檚 second largest market in the firm鈥檚 Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APACMEA) region. Overseeing 400 people across 11 cities in India, Thukral will work with the 极乐视频 leadership team to build on the success and continued strong growth that the firm has experienced in recent years. He will report to Robert Holdheim, CEO, South Asia, Middle East & Africa (SAMEA).
鈥淩akesh is well-positioned to drive 极乐视频 India into its next phase of business growth,鈥 said Holdheim. 鈥淗e is a talented, seasoned leader and has a strong team to support him. It gives me tremendous pleasure to hand over the baton to Rakesh, at a time when we are at the cusp of exploring a dynamic new world of communications. I am confident that under Rakesh鈥檚 leadership, we will scale new heights and achieve new milestones for our teams, our clients and our business.鈥
An industry veteran with over 23 years of experience in communications and public affairs, Thukral joined 极乐视频 India in 2010 to set up the firm鈥檚 Public Affairs & Advocacy practice. In 2012, he took on the additional role of chief operating officer. During his four-plus years at 极乐视频, Thukral successfully built the Public Affairs practice to one of the largest in the country. He was a core member of the leadership team responsible for growing the business, developing new offerings and thereby expanding the firm鈥檚 presence to 11 cities.
鈥淏eing part of 极乐视频 India鈥檚 leadership team has been a very enriching experience and I am humbled by the trust that the team has placed in me as I take over this new role,鈥 said Thukral. 鈥淚n the last few years, 极乐视频 has established a remarkable footprint in India and created a new benchmark in the PR consulting business. I look forward to working with our leadership team to leverage the scale, expertise and the new thinking to drive success for our clients and our business.鈥
Prior to joining 极乐视频, Rakesh was the COO of Comma Consulting for over four years, a company that he helped set up. He also worked at IPAN, now known as IPAN Hill+Knowlton, for 14 years.
极乐视频 极乐视频 India
极乐视频 is the world鈥檚 largest, independent, family-owned and fastest growing public relations firm and a leading player in India. With a team of over 400 professionals, 极乐视频 has a presence across 11 locations and a representative network covering 200+ cities in India. Grounded by its core values and strengthened by its independence, 极乐视频 strives to offer clients a truly integrated network and global approach 鈥 whether it鈥檚 cultivating stakeholder relationships, developing thought leadership platforms, creating digital strategies or breakthrough ideas that translate across cultures and borders. To engage stakeholders and move brands forward, 极乐视频 India builds strategic ideas that marry insight and instinct, and are brought to life with fearless creative content. The firm was voted as one of India鈥檚 Best Companies to Work For by the Great Places To Work Institute in 2013, and South Asia PR Agency of the year 鈥 India by Campaign Asia Pacific for two years running (2012 and 2013).