EDUCATION:
1999 PGD, Journalism & Mass Communication Symbiosis Institute of Journalism and
Communication Pune, Maharashtra, India
1997 BA, Journalism Christ (Deemed to be University) Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Padma Venkataraman
Head – Communications & Design | pvenkataraman at iihs dot co dot in
Countries: India, UAE
States: Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh
Cities: Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai, Noida
Languages: English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam
Padma Venkataraman is a seasoned communications practitioner with over two decades of experience, demonstrating versatile skill sets across various sectors encompassing creative, management and leadership domains. At IIHS, she is Head of the IIHS Communications and Design function, leading a team focused on devising strategies to fortify institutional brand, reputation and stakeholder engagement.
Padma began her career in advertising, spending a decade in the industry, in India and the UAE. Starting as a copywriter, she transitioned into client management, establishing a solid foundation rooted in a comprehensive understanding of both the creative and business dimensions of the field. Her return to India in 2010 marked leadership positions at Perfect Relations, one of India’s largest PR firms, managing branches in Pune and Bengaluru. Subsequently, Padma took on the responsibility of overseeing global communications at Samvardhana Motherson Group, where she managed internal and external communications for and across 41 countries.
Given the industry agnostic nature of the field of her work, Padma’s professional trajectory involves strategic communications across diverse sectors, including automotive, manufacturing, corporate, technology, agriculture, retail, pharma and healthcare, insurance, industry bodies, public affairs, and government events. This broad-ranging experience underscores her ability to navigate industry intricacies and draw useful connections that help strategy and partnerships.
Beyond her corporate roles, Padma’s sensibilities have been honed by her work in various media formats. In television, she worked with Durga Khote Productions on ad films and Kundan Shah’s Wagle ki Nayi Duniya. Her radio experience includes stints at All India Radio and FEBA Radio in Bengaluru. As a freelancer, she engaged with The Indian Express, Pune, and Times of India, Bengaluru.
Padma has also enjoyed her teaching stints as guest faculty at the Indira School of Communications, Pune; Christ University, Bengaluru; and COMMITS, Bengaluru.