MAM
Top five Indian PR agencies redefining communication landscape
Mumbai: In the ever-evolving world of public relations, having a reliable and innovative PR agency by your side is crucial for effective brand communication and reputation management. In India, several agencies have carved a niche for themselves with their strategic approach, creativity, and track record of successful campaigns. They have established themselves as industry leaders through their strategic approach, creativity, and ability to deliver exceptional results. Whether you’re seeking comprehensive PR solutions, crisis management expertise, or brand visibility, partnering with these agencies can provide the expertise and resources necessary to elevate your brand’s communication game. Here are the top five PR agencies in India, which have been leading the industry and setting new benchmarks:
Weber Shandwick
Weber Shandwick is a global communications powerhouse with a strong presence in India. Known for its strategic counsel and innovative campaigns, the agency has a robust team of PR professionals who excel in media relations, crisis management, and brand storytelling. Weber Shandwick’s extensive network and deep understanding of the Indian market make them a go-to agency for local and multinational brands seeking comprehensive PR solutions.
Cha-Chi
Cha-Chi Communications stands out as one of the top PR agencies in India, revolutionising the way businesses connect with their target audiences through modern integrated PR strategies. The young and dynamic full-service agency aims to bridge the gap between contemporary businesses and the evolving landscape of PR. With a strong commitment to delivering compelling messages to the right target groups, Cha-Chi Communications offers an omnichannel approach to meet the demands of today’s discerning consumers. Cha-Chi Communications is not only at the forefront of PR excellence but also actively contributes to industry insights. They conducted an India In-Depth Survey Report, which involved face-to-face interviews with over 2,000 Indians across 28 states and 7 union territories. This research-driven approach showcases their commitment to understanding the Indian market and leveraging data-driven strategies to deliver impactful campaigns. In a rapidly evolving PR landscape, Cha-Chi Communications stands tall as a visionary agency, combining creativity, strategic thinking, and innovative approaches to redefine PR excellence in India.
Edelman
Edelman is one of the world’s largest PR agencies, with a strong presence in India. Renowned for their strategic thinking and integrated communications approach, Edelman excels in building trust and credibility for brands. From corporate communications to public affairs and crisis management, they offer a comprehensive suite of PR services. Edelman’s in-depth industry knowledge and expertise have earned them a stellar reputation among clients across various sectors.
BCW
BCW (Burson Cohn & Wolfe) is a leading PR agency in India, known for its data-driven and insights-led approach to communication. They combine creativity with analytics to develop impactful campaigns that drive results. BCW specialises in corporate reputation management, crisis communications, and media relations. With a strong network of media contacts and a talent pool of experienced PR professionals, BCW delivers effective communication strategies for brands in diverse industries.
Ogilvy
Ogilvy is a renowned global communications firm with a strong foothold in the Indian PR landscape. They offer a wide range of PR services, including media relations, influencer engagement, and content creation. Ogilvy’s strategic counsel and storytelling prowess enable them to create compelling narratives that resonate with audiences across channels. With a legacy of excellence in the industry, Ogilvy continues to redefine PR standards in India.
MAM
Effie turns 25 and still means business
Nestle, Leo India and McCann lead a landmark night in Mumbai.
MUMBAI: If ideas are currency, the Effies are where they are audited and this year, the balance sheet looked impressive. The Advertising Club India marked the 25th edition of the Effie India Awards 2025 with a glittering ceremony at Taj Lands’ End, Mumbai, bringing together more than 1,000 professionals from advertising, marketing, media, research, PR and communications. Presented by News18 India and News18 Marathi, and powered by CNN News18 and CNBC TV18, the milestone edition was as much a celebration of legacy as it was a reminder of where Indian marketing stands today sharper, more accountable and relentlessly focused on results.
At the centre of the night’s honours was Nestle India Ltd, which was adjudged Effie Client of the Year, recognising sustained commitment to impactful, effectiveness-led marketing. Leo India was named Effie Agency of the Year, reflecting consistent performance across categories and a strong portfolio of results-driven campaigns.
Speaking at the Effie, McCann India CEO and The Advertising Club president Dheeraj Sinha said, “As we celebrate 25 glorious years of the Effie India Awards, we are not just marking a milestone, we are honouring a legacy of effectiveness that has shaped Indian marketing. Over the past quarter century, Effie has become the gold standard for results-driven creativity, championing ideas that deliver real business impact. This landmark edition reflects the extraordinary evolution of our industry and the power of creativity. Congratulations to all the winners. Here’s to the next chapter of impactful storytelling and transformative growth.”
The coveted Grand Effie went to McCann, Gurugram, for Nestle India Ltd’s campaign “Maggi, Why save the best for the last?”. The campaign stood out for turning a familiar consumer insight into a commercially powerful narrative, demonstrating how cultural relevance, when aligned with business objectives, can deliver both emotional connection and measurable growth.
“The Effie India Awards have evolved into one of the most credible and respected platforms for marketing effectiveness in the country. What truly stands out this year is the scale and diversity of participation – from leading networks to independent agencies and new-age specialists, all demonstrating a shared commitment to effectiveness. It is encouraging to see stakeholders attach deeper strategic value to the Effies, viewing it as a benchmark of real business impact”, added Effie India Awards chairperson and The Advertising Club founder and The Horologists president Mitrajit Bhattacharya.
Marking its silver jubilee, the 25th edition witnessed participation from 89 agencies, spanning large network agencies, independent shops and new-age specialists. The breadth of entries reflected a marketing ecosystem that is no longer siloed where data, creativity, media strategy and business outcomes are increasingly interlinked.
Elaborating on the awards Eros Media World group CEO and Effie India Awards, The Advertising Club co-chairperson Pradeep Dwivedi said, “We are delighted to witness such enthusiastic participation from across the industry, reflecting the trust and prestige the platform commands. The campaigns showcased this year set a remarkable standard, combining bold creativity with strategic rigor and tangible results. It is inspiring to see the industry consistently push boundaries while remaining firmly focused on impact.”
What distinguishes the Effies from many other award platforms is its judging framework. Campaigns are not only assessed by advertising professionals but also by clients and academic experts, ensuring a holistic evaluation of strategy, execution and real-world impact. In an industry often accused of rewarding style over substance, the Effies have steadily positioned themselves as champions of effectiveness over spectacle.
“The core of our creative culture is ‘Impact a Billion’ creating work that genuinely moves people and delivers real business outcomes. When that kind of impact is achieved, recognition follows. Being honoured at the Effie Awards reaffirms our belief that effectiveness and creativity are deeply intertwined. This win belongs to our teams who push for ideas that matter, and to our clients who share the ambition to create work that goes beyond visibility to deliver meaningful impact at scale.” Leo chairman for South Asia and Publicis Groupe CCO for South Asia Rajdeepak Das.
The event was also supported by category sponsors including Adani Group for Integrated Advertising Campaign, Eco Media Solutions for Brand Experience and Tata Communications for B2B, reflecting strong corporate backing for platforms that celebrate measurable marketing excellence.
At Leo, effectiveness isn’t merely a metric, it’s core to the kind of creativity that can effect change for people, communities, businesses and the planet.
We are stoked to have won across some of our biggest brands tonight. To be consistently recognized as the best – globally, and now at our home-ground – is both rewarding and inspiring. We’re grateful to our client partners for placing their trust in our ideas, and to our teams for relentlessly pushing the boundaries of excellence.” Leo, Publicis Health & Publicis Business CEO for South Asia Amitesh Rao.
Beyond the trophies and applause, the 25th edition carried symbolic weight. Over a quarter century, the Effie India Awards have chronicled the transformation of Indian marketing from traditional mass campaigns to data-led, multi-platform ecosystems where accountability is non-negotiable. As brands grapple with fragmented audiences, evolving media habits and heightened expectations around ROI, effectiveness has moved from being desirable to being essential.
The silver jubilee celebration underscored that shift. In a landscape crowded with creative awards, the Effies continue to stand apart by asking a simple, uncompromising question, did it work?
After 25 years, the answer for many on that Mumbai stage was a resounding yes.
