MAM
Singla’s signal boost as he steps up as ICCO Nextgen global co-chair
MUMBAI: From ESG charts to PR smarts, Aditya Vasan Singla is making waves worldwide. Aditya Vasan Singla, principal at Astrum, has been appointed co-chair of the 2025 ICCO Nextgen Board, a dynamic initiative by the International Communications Consultancy Organisation to empower young communications professionals and future-proof the industry. The announcement was made on 12 March 2025, marking a new milestone in Singla’s global leadership journey in strategic communications.
Joining forces with Karishma Hingorani (Middle East Public Relations Association – MEPRA), Singla will lead the diverse and global Nextgen board. The newly formed cohort includes Srishti Sharma (India), Rumyana Tancheva (Bulgaria), and Zahra Zakriya (UAE), reflecting ICCO’s strong focus on cross-border collaboration and peer innovation.
” I feel privileged to be offered this opportunity to collaborate with some of the brightest minds across the globe to aid the development of the NextGen talent and best practices for the global public relations industry. I believe it is crucial for us to collaborate and co-create solutions that push our industry forward, ensuring we are future ready and resilient.” said ICCO Nextgen Board co-chair Aditya Vasan Singla.
Astrum founding managing partner Ashwani Singla. “ICCO’s focus on the Nextgen talent is a step in the right direction to fuel excellence and attract the brightest minds as practitioners of strategic communications. I am delighted that Aditya is contributing to advance this laudable objective.”
The ICCO Nextgen Group is designed to attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent through research, knowledge-sharing, and real-world initiatives. As part of ICCO’s broader strategy, the board brings together emerging PR leaders to foster innovation and industry relevance in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Singla brings with him nearly a decade of experience in ESG and strategic communications. His resume spans major consultancies including PwC and ERM, where he steered multidisciplinary teams working with transnational giants across diverse sectors. His career kick-started in the Office of Cabinet Minister Piyush Goyal, where he was entrusted with political communications and policy research.
An alumnus of the London School of Economics (MSc in Environmental Economics) and Aberdeen University (MA in Economics and Geography), Singla also happens to be a seasoned global traveller, making his perspective even more globally nuanced—a perfect fit for the ICCO NextGen board’s international ambitions.
As the communications industry grapples with the demands of AI, authenticity, and shifting audience behaviours, ICCO’s move to place emerging leaders like Singla at the helm is a smart play because the future of PR isn’t just about messaging, it’s about mentorship, mission and momentum.
Brands
Hyundai Venue crosses 1 lakh bookings, adds HX8 Diesel AT variant
New top-spec automatic diesel trim brings ventilated seats, OTA updates and paddle shifters.
MUMBAI: Hyundai Venue just hit the jackpot and upgraded the prize because when you cross 1 lakh bookings, you don’t just celebrate, you throw in paddle shifters and ventilated seats for the ride. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) announced that the all-new Hyundai Venue has achieved 1 lakh bookings, cementing its strong position in the compact SUV segment. To mark the milestone and further enhance customer choice, the company introduced the new HX8 Diesel Automatic (AT) variant.
The HX8 Diesel AT is powered by the proven U2 1.5L CRDi diesel engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It adds a host of premium comfort, safety and convenience features, including:
- Ventilated front seats
- Dual-tone leatherette seats with VENUE branding
- Electric 4-way driver seat adjust
- Controller Over-the-Air (OTA) updates
- Hyundai Bluelink connected car technology
- Electric parking brake with auto hold
- Rear disc brakes
- Ambient lighting on crash pad and central console
- Drive mode select (Eco, Normal, Sport)
- Traction control modes (Sand, Mud, Snow)
- Paddle shifters
HMIL, managing director & CEO Tarun Garg said, “We are delighted that the new Hyundai Venue has crossed 1 lakh bookings, reaffirming the strong trust Indian customers place in our brand. The introduction of the new HX8 Diesel Automatic variant further strengthens the Venue lineup, offering customers the perfect blend of diesel efficiency, torque-rich performance and effortless convenience.”
Backed by Hyundai’s extensive sales and service network, the Venue continues to appeal to buyers seeking a feature-rich, comfortable and future-ready compact SUV. The new variant reinforces HMIL’s focus on delivering advanced technology, safety, comfort and value while adapting to evolving customer preferences.
In a segment where bookings are the real horsepower, Hyundai isn’t just counting milestones, it’s handing drivers an automatic upgrade that makes every journey feel like the victory lap.
