MAM
Rajiv Mishra to hold charge of CSR in addition to media in Samsung
NEW DELHI: Senior journalist Rajiv Mishra, who had joined Samsung Electronics in August as vice president (media) of its south west Asia office in Gurgaon has been given the additional charge of heading the CSR division in India.
Samsung said it lay strong emphasis on corporate social responsibility, which involves extending the company’s legacy of innovation to create value for society by addressing societal needs and challenges. Through the CSR initiatives Samsung hopes to open newer possibilities that positively transform people’s lives.
Speaking about the development, Samsung south west Asia senior vice president H W Bang said: “At present, our CSR programmes focus in the areas of education, culture, sports, social welfare and community development. I am confident that under Rajiv’s leadership, Samsung’s CSR initiatives will cross new milestones.”
Samsung has, over the years, leveraged its legacy of technology innovation through philanthropic initiatives focused on helping communities lead healthier, smarter and more sustainable lives. In addition to skill development among youth, Samsung also places substantial focus on providing underprivileged children a chance at quality education and in helping bridge the digital gap that exists in India.
This is done through Samsung Smart Schools, set up in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas across the length and breadth of the country. The Smart Classes are equipped with an interactive Samsung whiteboard, Samsung laptops for the students, a printer, wi-fi and a power backup since power outages are common. Over 198 Smart Schools have been set up to date in India, benefitting 75,000 secondary class students. Samsung continues to expand the programme based on positive feedback received from the schools on the impact on students learning and attendance.
Before joining Samsung, Mishra had been chief executive officer of Lok Sabha TV for about three years.
Mishra had begun his 21 year long career in media at Hindustan Times before switching over to the electronic media.
He began as manager –programming in Star, then joined as senior manager – corporate in Zee TV, Reliance Infocomm as general manager – corporate affairs, News 24 (BAG Films and Media), as COO and director, India News as COO. He launched Times Now of the Times of India group in USA as India Now while working for CineMaya Media of USA.
Mishra was with Lok Sabha TV as CEO in an official rank and status of additional secretary.
Mishra is also the founder and first president of Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI). AROI is the industry representative body of all FM radio broadcasters/stations of India. He also founded Association of Regional Television Broadcasters of India
Brands
PRCI appoints Baldev Raj as Delhi chapter chairman
Six-month leap signals push for bold, AI-led shift in communications strategy
NEW DELHI: Public Relations Council of India has appointed Baldev Raj as chairman of its Delhi chapter, marking a swift elevation just six months after he took on the role of vice chairman.
The move comes amid growing churn in the communications industry, with trust deficits and misinformation reshaping how brands engage with audiences. According to the latest Edelman Trust Barometer, public trust in institutions continues to decline, while concerns around misinformation remain high.
Industry insiders say Raj’s rapid rise reflects the momentum he has built at Prius Communications, which has picked up five major industry awards in the past four months. His appointment signals PRCI’s intent to bring sharper, more future-facing leadership to the fore.
Under his leadership, the Delhi chapter is set to roll out a series of initiatives aimed at repositioning public relations as a strategic business function. These include an AI ethics and integration framework, a C-suite advisory council, and a revamped young communicators programme focused on mentorship and leadership development.
Commenting on the appointment, Public Relations Council of India chairman emeritus and chief mentor M. B. Jayaram said, “This wasn’t a question of succession; it was a question of strategic necessity. Baldev’s track record of innovation made it clear that we needed his vision and velocity at the helm now.”
For his part, Baldev Raj framed the role as a turning point for the profession. “Our profession stands at a crossroads. We can either be consumed by the tidal wave of AI-generated noise, or become the strategists who restore trust and clarity,” he said. He added that the focus will be on a ‘human plus machine’ approach, blending artificial intelligence with human insight.
Raj, founder of Prius Communications, operates across reputation management and strategic advisory, with specialised verticals in healthcare and brand consulting.
With this leadership shift, PRCI appears to be betting on speed, strategy and a stronger voice for communicators at the decision-making table.
