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Astrum’s study explores ‘Technology Reshaping Communicators?’
Mumbai: Astrum, India’s first science-based specialist reputation advisory has unveiled a first-of-its-kind study in the Indian public relations industry titled “Technology Reshaping Communicators.” This study combines months of rigorous secondary research and views of a diverse panel of Indian and global thought leaders, representing consulting firms, technology corporations, law firms, media editorial boards, international academics, private equity investors, global CXOs, senior corporate communication leaders, and a multitude of industry experts.
Commenting on the study’s release, Astrum Reputation Advisory chairman Sunil Lulla chairman said, “In today’s digital era, communicators are continually navigating the dynamic intersection of technology and communications. This groundbreaking study delves deep into key questions that communicators are grappling with due to the rapid and recent advancements in technology. The study seeks to equip professionals with the knowledge and insights, necessary to thrive in this transformative environment.”
Founding managing partner Ashwani Singla said, “Technology has reshaped our world for over two centuries from the advent of the printed word to the internet. What sets this digital era apart is the unprecedented pace and scale of advancements. It’s a landscape where machines can attain superhuman intelligence and harnessed for a greater good, yet capable of dismantling established brands within hours.” He adds, “In navigating this new paradigm of reputation management, a combination of technology and human ingenuity layered with an understanding of the science of reputation™ can enable communicators to completely transform their game.”
Co-founder and author of the study Sharada Sharma said, “We are seeing that the impact on communications is threefold: one, in revolutionizing data assimilation for deeper insights into audience behaviour; two, transforming content creation distribution and consumption and, three, an investment in crisis preparedness/risk mitigation to secure corporate or brand reputation – each needs a holistic approach with sponsorship from the C-suite.”
The study’s findings were unveiled at the tenth edition of PRAXIS10 – Reputation Management – The Big Picture, the largest annual gathering of communication professionals. The unveiling took place at “The Astrum Breakfast” (#TAB), an exclusive invitee only event that brought together leaders in corporate communication. An executive summary of the report was made available to all participants via a QR code, ensuring widespread access to the insights presented in the study.
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With 57 per cent single new users, Ashley Madison rebrands as discreet dating platform
Platform says majority of new members now identify as single
INDIA: Ashley Madison is shedding the “married-dating” label that defined it for two decades, repositioning itself as a platform for discreet dating in what it calls the post-social media age.
The rebrand, unveiled in India on 27 February, 2026, marks a structural shift in business model and identity. Once synonymous with married dating, the company now describes itself as the “premier destination for discreet dating” under a new tagline: Where Desire Meets Discretion.
The pivot is data-driven. Internal figures show that 57 per cent of global sign-ups between 1 January and 31 December, 2025 identified as single: a notable departure from the platform’s married core. The company argues that its community has already evolved beyond its original positioning.
“In an age where our lives have been constantly put on public display, privacy has become the new luxury,” said Ashley Madison chief strategy officer Paul Keable. He framed the platform’s offering as “ethical discretion” for singles, separated, divorced and non-monogamous users seeking private connections.
The shift also taps into wider digital fatigue. A global survey conducted by YouGov for Ashley Madison, covering 13,071 adults across Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US, found mounting discomfort with hyper-public online lives.
Among dating app users, 30 per cent cited constant swiping and messaging as a source of fatigue, while 24 per cent pointed to pressure to curate public-facing profiles and early personal disclosure. Some 27 per cent said fears of screenshots or information being shared contributed to exhaustion; an equal share cited unwanted attention.
The retreat from oversharing appears broader. According to the survey, 46 per cent of adults actively try to keep most aspects of their life private online. Only 8 per cent feel comfortable sharing most aspects publicly, while 35 per cent say they are becoming more selective about what they disclose.
Ashley Madison is betting that this cultural recalibration towards controlled visibility can be monetised. By doubling down on privacy infrastructure and reframing itself around discretion rather than infidelity, the company is attempting to convert reputational baggage into a premium proposition.
