In our Headliners series of conversations, we get under the skin of PR and communications leaders around the world who have made PRovoke Media headlines recently, uncovering what they see as the greatest challenges and opportunities for the industry, where they find inspiration (and how they switch off), what they’ve learned about themselves, as well as the creative campaigns they love and the work they are most proud of.

In this week's Q&A, we talk to Senjam Raj Sekhar, who leads global communications for the Mobile Premier League, which swept last night's South Asia SABRE Awards — winning the Platinum SABRE for Best in Show, while also taking second place and winning the Diamond SABRE for Company of the Year.

What are the greatest challenges and opportunities for the PR and communications industry over the next 12 months?

The past few years has seen a blurring of boundaries between various communications disciplines. Pure play PR, advertising, digital and public affairs does not exist any more. Large spaces have opened up in between and everyone is playing there. How PR will carve a dominant position in this new framework will continue to be its greatest challenge.

In the past, PR has usually been slow in adopting technology. Generative AI presents a huge opportunity. How PR will adopt generative AI in a substantive manner presents, I believe, our biggest opportunity in the next one year.

What’s the best PR campaign you’ve seen recently and why?

Not really a traditional PR campaign, but Vivek Ramaswamy’s rise from being a nobody to third in the US Republican nominee sweepstakes in just six months, is a case study in itself and one I continue to watch very closely.

What work from your team are you most proud of over the past year?

One that we did with the Missing Game on MPL. This was particularly fulfilling for two reasons. First, we were able to raise awareness on a taboo subject like human trafficking among a young generation of gamers. Second, this was entirely an initiative of the comms team where we worked on this project end to end, from idea to execution.

What have you learned about yourself over the past couple of years?

Small is beautiful. That you can work with a young start up but still create beautiful award winning campaigns. That even an entertainment product like gaming can make social impact 

How do you switch off and maintain wellness?

Difficult for me to switch off as some part of me is always switched on. However, some things are non-negotiables like not taking stress, sleeping soundly and eating well.  Fitness is a big part of my life. A combination of calisthenics, kettlebell and running keeps me alive and raring to go.

What cultural source (eg book/podcast/movie/TV show/music artist) has provided creative inspiration for you lately?

India’s moon mission.  In September 2019, we shared the collective disappointment of the country, when Chandrayan 2 mission failed. It was a moment of great inspiration to see a group of scientists work hard over the last four years, learn from the failure and make India only the fourth nation to land on the moon.  Watching the landing live on television was a lump in the throat moment.

If I wasn’t working in PR/comms I would be…

Professional quizmaster.