Vaneet Sethi

Results-driven Corporate Communications and PR leader with 12.5+ years of expertise building and executing high-impact communication strategies across FinTech, Financial Services, Consumer Tech, Startups, Education, Real Estate, and Venture Capital. Proven track record of elevating brand authority, securing top-tier media coverage, and managing reputational crises with measurable outcomes. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams, managing external PR agencies, and positioning executives as industry thought leaders.

Works closely with leadership across business verticals to understand priorities and translate them into effective PR and event strategies. Deep experience spanning both inhouse leadership and agency-side client servicing, with exposure to MENA and Latin America markets.

Head – Corporate Communications & PR at GITAM University, Bengaluru Campus (2025-10 – Present)

• Drive brand repositioning of GITAM Bengaluru as a premier research and technology institution in one of India's most competitive higher-education markets.
• Lead end-to-end media strategy and communications for high-profile campus events, convocations, tech-fests, and visits by government dignitaries and Fortune 500 CEOs.
• Partner with the Vice-Chancellor and senior leadership to ghostwrite op-eds, prepare executive briefing materials, and establish faculty as credible public voices.
• Manage the university's local reputation via a rapid-response communications framework that keeps brand narratives accurate and positive during sensitive situations.
• Collaborate with all department heads to surface and amplify thought leadership opportunities across print, digital, and broadcast media.
• Achievement: Repositioned the Bengaluru campus leadership as the definitive regional voice for tech-education by securing a recurring monthly op-ed column — directly resulting in faculty invitations to state-level summits and measurably strengthening the university's 'Industry-Ready' brand perception.

Manager – Social Media & Internal Communications at GITAM University – Bengaluru, Hyderabad & Visakhapatnam (2025-10 – Present)

• Owned end-to-end social media strategy and execution for GITAM University across all three campuses, ensuring a unified brand voice while tailoring content to each campus's distinct audience.
• Developed and managed a multi-campus content calendar spanning Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and X, driving engagement across student, faculty, alumni, and industry communities.
• Led internal communications for all three campuses, designing structured frameworks to keep all stakeholders consistently informed on updates, policy changes, and key milestones.
• Monitored social media performance metrics, using data insights to continuously optimise content strategy and strengthen GITAM's digital brand presence.
• Achievement: Unified social media and internal communications across three geographically distinct campuses for the first time — creating a cohesive institutional voice while preserving each campus's local relevance.

Senior Manager – Client Servicing & PR at Brandcomm PR (2024-08 – 2025-09)

• Managed a team of 6 PR professionals across Real Estate, Education, and Consumer Technology — driving a 15% increase in media coverage for key accounts.
• Designed and executed multi-channel media campaigns boosting client brand visibility by an average of 20% across national and regional publications.
• Planned and executed 15+ client events annually, managing the full lifecycle from strategy and logistics to post-event analysis.
• Led crisis communication strategy, reducing reputational risk exposure by 50% through proactive issue management and rapid-response protocols.
• Achievement: Delivered a high-profile PR campaign for a real estate client that secured top-tier national placements, directly contributing to a 25% increase in inbound customer inquiries.

Senior Manager – Corporate Communications & PR at Zetwerk Manufacturing Businesses Pvt Ltd (2022-10 – 2023-10)

• Secured media features in 50+ key industry publications, driving a 35% increase in brand recognition within manufacturing and B2B tech sectors.
• Designed corporate communication strategies aligned with investor relations objectives, improving stakeholder engagement by 25%.
• Produced 30+ press releases, thought leadership articles, and media statements positioning Zetwerk as an industry innovator.
• Part of the core planning team for the Zetwerk Manufacturing Summit, coordinating media presence, speaker positioning, and on-ground brand visibility for the flagship industry event.
• Strengthened brand reputation through strategic media interactions, increasing positive brand sentiment by 20%.
• Drafted the foundational framework for Zetwerk's IPO launch communications.
• Achievement: Led a crisis communication response that successfully contained a high-risk reputational situation, preserving client trust and preventing material brand damage.

Senior Manager – Corporate Communications & PR at LetsVenture (2020-12 – 2022-09)

• Spearheaded PR initiatives increasing brand visibility by 20% through corporate announcements, media outreach, and proprietary industry reports.
• Managed press engagements for 20+ portfolio companies in top-tier publications, strengthening investor confidence.
• Secured 100+ media placements cementing LetsVenture's positioning within India's investment ecosystem.
• Part of the event planning team for LetsIgnite, LetsVenture's flagship investor and founder summit, coordinating logistics, media presence, and stakeholder engagement.
• Achievement: Conceptualised a first-of-its-kind Women's Day 2022 VC campaign — generating 75 organic registrations in one day and a 50% spike in investor inquiries.

Assistant Manager – Corporate Communications & PR at Razorpay (2019-09 – 2020-10)

• Drove a 30% increase in media coverage quarter-on-quarter through strategic PR storytelling and product visibility campaigns.
• Secured 80+ media clippings across major financial and technology publications, growing fintech industry presence.
• Elevated Razorpay's Share of Voice in fintech by 15% each quarter, reinforcing market-leadership positioning.
• Achievement: Drove PR strategy for a major product launch generating a 30% increase in user sign-ups within three months.

Account Manager – Client Servicing at Value360 Communications (2016-04 – 2019-09)

• Directed PR strategies for Paytm Money and ClearTax, delivering 5–10% quarterly growth in media exposure.
• Developed bespoke PR campaigns achieving a 40% improvement in brand recall for key fintech clients.
• Achievement: Positioned ClearTax as India's definitive GST thought leader — a 35% organic SoV increase, second only to KPMG among major tax advisory firms.

Account Manager – Client Servicing at Gutenberg Communications (2015-03 – 2016-03)

• Designed and executed PR campaigns driving a 25% surge in media coverage and securing 50+ high-impact placements.
• Achievement: Launched a content-driven media campaign that increased brand engagement by 50% across digital platforms.

Account Executive – Client Servicing & Media Relations at Alphabet Consulting (2014-05 – 2015-03)

• Supported client engagement for CMS Info Systems and contributed to the successful Vivo smartphone launch campaign.
• Achievement: Consistently delivered high-quality media coverage leading to extended retainer contracts and improved client satisfaction scores.

Account Executive – PR & Corporate Communications at Weber Shandwick (2012-06 – 2014-05)

• Executed PR campaigns securing 100+ media placements and contributing to a 25% increase in client media coverage.
• Achievement: Developed a media outreach strategy earning a Fortune 500 client an industry excellence award — helping the agency win incentive recognition three consecutive times.

MSc in Science Communication – Christ University (2012)

BA – Christ College (2010)