‘In PR, media rounds are a key exercise in building networks, healthy work relationships’

Public Relations demands you to be a people’s person, to build and sustain good work relationships. Ananya Ranjan, an alumna of Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication (AIMC) has an innate ability to communicate and create networks that go a long way. Happy in the ideal career choice, she works as an Associate Account Executive at Adfactors. In a quick telephonic interview, the Apeejay alumna highlights the key skills that every PR aspirant must have. Read edited excerpts:

Please walk us through a day at work?

We start our day by sending trackers to our clients. Trackers are basically the daily updates regarding the projects to the concerned client. Post that, we reach out to the media for pitches and draft a bunch of press releases. We also go on media rounds, which is actually a key exercise in building networks and healthy work relationships.

So what inspired you to get into this field?

I am a people’s person  and always had this at the back of my mind that I must choose a field through which I can connect with a lot of people. It’s because I am good at this! I identified this skill or ability in me early on, and this has helped me to pick the right path in life. I am happy going to work and every day feels like a blessing. Public relations is the perfect way that allows me to easily build networks on a day-to-day basis.

How did AIMC prepare you for your professional journey? 

AIMC was very chill. The teachers were superb and the projects I did as part of my course really helped me when I entered the industry. Through the projects at AIMC, I understood the relevance of how to execute ideas at work. AIMC helped me understand the practical side of the industry, way beyond theory. 

One life lesson for current AIMC students?

Don’t take your projects lightly. One should not have a casual attitude and do a task because they have to, as part of their duty. I feel you must understand the importance of what you are doing. That will help you implement your ideas later at a bigger stage.

One skill every account manager should have?

They must know how to manage and delegate work and at the same time, how to deal with the team. A good manager can do wonders because they know how to handle both their employees as well as their clients.

So, where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I want to handle clients of my own. My aspiration is to be an independent account holder, managing important clients. I wish to lead the team and have my own top profile clients to manage.