eNews
Cision acquires PR Newswire; Peter Granat named as CEO
MUMBAI: Global media intelligence company Cision has acquired PR Newswire. With this agreement, the duo will provide clients with the industry’s best content distribution, influencer outreach, media monitoring and analytics offerings.
The deal is approved in all markets worldwide except Dubai and China, where it is pending regulatory review.
PR Newswire’s CEO Bob Gray will be transitioning out of the business and Peter Granat will be the CEO of the combined organization.
For Cision clients, the acquisition provides access to the industry’s one of the largest and trusted distribution network of media outlets, websites and social media channels as well as access to new offerings including multimedia content distribution, IR tools, ProfNet and MultiVu creative services.
For PR Newswire customers, the acquisition provides access to award-winning PR software, the industry’s most comprehensive influencer database and a full suite of monitoring and analytics services.
“Cision has always been a leader in influencer identification, media monitoring, social engagement and analytics,” said Cision CEO Peter Granat. “The acquisition of PR Newswire, the market leader in press release distribution, is a huge step in providing our customers a complete integrated solution for all their PR, IR and social media needs. To combine two PR powerhouses means we can provide the most robust tools and services for PR and communication professionals to tell their stories in virtually any medium around the world.”
In conversations with clients, Cision repeatedly heard the need for an integrated solution that allows them to manage campaigns and distribute multimedia messages through a variety of channels. With Cision’s acquisition of PR Newswire, consumers now have access to global technology and service, deeper relationships with media and influencers, and the largest content distribution network available.
The combined product roadmap and timeline will be finalized in the coming months. While the product roadmap is being developed, Cision and PR Newswire will continue to invest in and support all existing services.
eNews
Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
