Nimesh Davé

President  
Notified

Miami

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“In my view, innovation and disruption are interchangeable.”

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As president of Notified, Nimesh Davé’s focus is on developing technology that supports communicators in meeting the ever-expanding demands of their jobs. Since joining the company (whose products include PR, press release distribution and media monitoring platforms) in 2022, Davé has been in the throes of finding ways to harness AI’s potential to transform the industry for the better. So far in his brief tenure, Davé has created an AI-driven press release generator for GlobeNewswire, the company’s press release distribution system. As of earlier this year, all GlobeNewswire customers have access to the service, built with the goal of simplifying content creation. In addition, the service is expanding to include new tools for content optimization, a grading system to predict success rates, recommended distribution options and predicted media engagement. And that is just a start, given Davé’s leadership is built around driving the comms industry to a more automated, efficient, tech-driven future. 

How do you define innovation?
In my view, innovation and disruption are interchangeable. Innovation is about coming up with brand new ideas and actually making them happen. It's about finding fresh ways to do things and shaking up the old routines.
However, it is critical to emphasize that innovation is not driven by change for change's sake; rather, its core purpose is to address tangible problems with completely new ways of thinking and doing.

What is the most innovative PR or marketing initiative you've seen over the past 12 months?
My wife is an interior designer so we're always talking about textures, colors, shadows, light, and creating the perfect space. I was blown away when I saw Sherwin Williams ‘Speaking in Color’ campaign. This campaign utilizes artificial intelligence to translate memories into paint colors – a remarkable fusion of technology and design. In our work at Notified, we are actively exploring avenues to advance public relations technology, and one of the tools we are employing for this purpose is AI. It is consistently inspiring to witness how different industries harness AI to address their clients' distinct challenges.

In your opinion, which brands and/or agencies are most innovative in their approach to PR and marketing?
The hospitality and travel industry has really upped its game in the past year. People are traveling more than ever, and hotels are seizing this opportunity to reconnect with customers and foster loyalty. They've been doing some interesting things in terms of PR and branding, offering unique experiences and perks or negotiating unexpected partnerships to stand out in the press and the market. Luxury brands are also taking huge steps to innovate and address the demands of today’s consumers. From offering AI-powered virtual assistants to virtual try-on options, these brands are changing client engagement.

Describe a moment in your career that you would consider to be innovative.
I feel honored to be included in this list because I don’t have a traditional public relations background. What I do have is a background in innovation. In a previous role, we encountered a problem where people were stealing oil directly out of our pipeline. With miles of pipeline, it seemed like an impossible problem to solve. How would we ever pinpoint where the oil was being taken from? Inspired by windmills, I was able to identify a solution to this problem: we installed pinwheels in the pipes to measure the velocity and flow of oil. This allowed us to identify exactly where along the pipeline oil was being taken from and reinforce that section to prevent future theft.

Although this type of innovation might feel radically different from the type of innovation we’re seeing in the PR industry, I think they all have the same root: innovative ideas are those that elicit an "Aha!" moment, as they often reveal opportunities for improvement that you may not have previously recognized.
 
Who do you admire for his/her approach to innovation?
I might be thinking a little too far back but three people come to mind when I think of innovators I admire: Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein. These three figures were all truly innovative. Leonardo da Vinci bridged the worlds of art and science, leading to groundbreaking inventions and stunning artistic creations; Thomas Edison held over 1,000 patents in his lifetime – but was also known for his practical approach to problem solving (a quality I work every day to embody); and Albert Einstein reshaped the way we understand the universe, because he simply refused to accept conventional thinking.

How do you get out of a creativity rut?
I’m what many people would consider a thrill seeker, and nothing helps me break out of a creativity rut more than stepping outside of my comfort zone. I love to pursue experiences that challenge me physically and mentally. My kids think I’m a little out there because a vacation for me includes hiking in the North Pole, training with the Navy Seals, or climbing the Grand Tetons. In a business like mine, I’ve also found it’s also incredibly import for fostering creativity to stay connected with team members on the front lines: those interacting with our clients daily. Their insights and on-the-ground experiences often hold the key to understanding what's really happening and sparking creative solutions.

What advice would you give to the PR industry around embracing innovation?
The next wave of innovation for the PR industry and corporate storytellers at-large is going to be fueled by embracing technology, AI, data and analytics. At Notified, we refer to this as the “Age of Intelligent Engagement,” which we define as using data-driven strategies and technology to more deeply engage specific audiences, while accurately measuring the impact on the business. Communicators must embrace innovation and adapt with these technological shifts to continue bringing the right messages to key stakeholders.

What would you be doing if you weren't doing your current job?
I would be a chef at a fine dining restaurant. I love food and cooking but I’m also fanatical about creating great experiences, whether that’s for my family and friends or the clients we serve.

Which book/movie/TV show/podcast/playlist/other cultural source has provided inspiration over the past year?
The book I keep coming back to again and again for inspiration is 'Uncommon Service' by Frances Frei and Anne Morriss. Nothing is more important to me than delivering a great experience to clients and this book challenges you to identify what you want to be “bad at” in order to be really great.

How can the PR and communications industry harness innovation to make more progress on diversity, equity and inclusion?
Fostering an environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds can freely share their perspectives is pivotal to unlocking innovation. Yet, that doesn’t happen by accident. At Notified and GlobeNewswire, we create space for everyone, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion or disability status, to share powerful stories with the world. As we develop new technologies to support the PR industry, we need to continue to both innovate and advocate to ensure all people are represented in and by the products we’re bringing to the market.

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