‘The PR & communications industry is one of those few where there are more women than men’

Pooja Pathak, founder and director Media Mantra, shares how she derives inspiration from family and how the transformation of women in public relations has happened over the years

The PR and communications industry is one of those few where there are more women than men

Pooja Pathak, founder and director Media Mantra, shares how she derives inspiration from family and how the transformation of women in public relations has happened over the years, as a result of which, public relations has become both a woman-inclusive and a woman-dominated sector.

There is nothing a woman cannot do or achieve once she sets her mind to it. Her spirit is indomitable, her focus unwavering and her perseverance steadfast. It is this unfaltering resilience that we celebrate annually on March 8 – International Women’s Day.

Honouring the contributions of women in the PR and Corp Comm sector, exchange4media PR & Corp Comm has been running a ‘Women Achievers Series’. It will feature the journey, success and achievements of some of the top women leaders from the Public Relations and Corporate Communications fraternity.

Today we have Pooja Pathak, founder and director Media Mantra.

Excerpts from the interview:

Please share your thoughts on the theme for International Women’s Day 2023 –  DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality. This is aligned with CSW—67 themes on gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls through education, innovation and technology in the digital age.

Women’s Day has always been aimed at spreading knowledge of gender equality. The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day 2023, DigitAll: Innovation and technology for gender equality, is intended to recognise and celebrate the women and girls who are pioneering the development of revolutionary technology and digital education. The culture will assess the impact of the gender gap in technology on growing social and economic disparities, as well as the need to protect women’s and girls’ rights in virtual spaces and address online and transit gender-based violence.

When women are more involved in technology, more innovative solutions and innovations that support gender equality and cater to the needs of women, will be produced. The modern digital revolution will provide opportunities for women’s social and economic empowerment, and it will undoubtedly contribute to the advancement of gender equality. I am confident that digitalisation will not only increase employment possibilities and enhance networking opportunities for women but will also make information and knowledge more accessible to them.

A lot has been discussed on the influence of women and their leadership in PR. In your view, what has changed in these last few decades

In recent years, women have made significant strides towards ascending the corporate ladder and securing leadership positions, and the PR sector is no exception. T1

Looking at the previous years, today I can say that there are more women working in PR who have a distinct perspective and are business savvy to revolutionise the sector. Public relations is one of the most popular industries. PR, as a business, is now strongly reliant on and influenced by the digital world; women in PR have evolved to this by becoming far more tech-savvy and educated concerning changes in the industry.

Numerous researches have highlighted that only 20 percent of women sit on board globally. What’s your take on the value women leaders in PR brings to the board room?

The PR and communications industry is one of those few where there are more women than men. The industry has not only transformed in terms of the value that it brings to companies, but also in the way it leads by example on how to create a more gender-equal ecosystem. As society has progressed towards manufacturing automation, technology for communication and information, the web, and now the digital revolution, a level playing surface for women has also emerged.

Previously, this “boys’ club” attitude saw women in the boardroom only as a means to entice and pacify. This is an antiquated perspective that has developed over the years not solely because women have continued to work diligently to demonstrate their significance. It has developed to establish the business as usual because women in the boardroom produce results. “Results that can be measured”.

Organisations are more competitive than ever before in this globalisation-cum-information era. To remain abreast, people understand that there is one thing they cannot do without – innovation. The research may indicate a small percentage of women in the boardroom, but we must aim for a higher proportion. This is only possible with a shift in mindset, the elimination of unconscious bias and bringing more women into the boardroom.

Tell us about your journey. What inspired you and who has been your hero

I’ve been in the industry for 16 years and can honestly say it’s been a wonderful experience. While I’ve had my fair share of learnings and unlearnings, I’ve always tried to endure them head-on with persistence and perseverance in order to achieve where I am today. I consider myself fortunate to have drawn inspiration from a variety of sources, which have inspired me to do what I do best today. I believe that women are natural multitaskers and that such a skill is a blessing for them. I have always believed that I could and worked hard to achieve my professional and private objectives.

My inspiration is my family who have been my biggest pillars of strength and will always continue to be so. The support and comfort of a family is non-negotiable and it surely gives more wings to a woman especially when she aspires to fly high in life.

Your message to future leaders.

Women have been in the working population for more than a century and have made considerable advances in jobs and leadership depiction. There is no doubt that women are playing an important role in shaping the future of work. Women in leadership are changing the workplace and bringing essential traits that redefine what it means to be a strong leader. Nonetheless, despite significant progress, there is still much work to be done.

To all future leaders, I would like to say what we can learn from the transformation of women in business is that inclusion, when done correctly, can revolutionise a business in ways never imagined before. As women, we have occupied and continue to occupy a significant portion of communities that require greater illustration in the business arena.