Welcome to Brazen Careerist!

About Me

My passion for communication and love for the written word has spanned careers in journalism, freelance writing and PR/Communications. Currently, I work as an independent communications/PR consultant who enjoys developing and executing communication strategies to solve business problems or challenges. I have a strong interest in social media and strategic communication issues and trends.

Besides my work, I love to read, write (I blog about social media and latest communication trends at www.socialmediaprism.com,) travel and try out different cuisines. I believe in learning something new every day and don't believe in self-help books.

Work History

• The Public Relations and Marketing Group
• E-communications/Social Media Executive

• · Wrote press releases and media alerts for clients; distributed them to media outlets and online sites.
  · Researched, created content for newsletters and other communication materials for a wide range of clients.
  · Developed and executed strategic communication plans, identified media coverage opportunities for clients, pitched stories to media, developed key messages and talking points.
  · Managed and updated content for PRMG and client Web sites and blogs.
  · Designed, drafted content and distributed PRMG's e-newsletter to email lists.
  · Created and maintained social media profiles for clients; assessed and managed their online presence and reputation using on-page and off-page Search Engine Optimization techniques.

• Pfizer, Inc.
• Freelance Writer, Worldwide Colleague Communications
• Febuary 2009 to June 2009

• · Wrote features and news stories for PfizerWorld, Pfizer Inc.'s internal publication for more than 100,000 employees worldwide.

• CJP Communications
• Financial Services Intern
• September 2008 to December 2008

• · Worked on global accounts including Jefferies CleanTech, INSEAD and WNS Global Services. Pitched media outlets and drafted media materials.
  · Conducted new business research on potential clients, compiled media lists, monitored and prepared media coverage reports for clients.

• United Nations Headquarters
• Press and Public Affairs Intern
• June 2008 to August 2008

• · Coordinated and wrote articles for the Department of Political Affairs newsletter, ‘Politically Speaking’
  · Planned and created PR and promotional materials for a photo exhibit event for UN’s Nepal mission at the UN Headquarters. Also coordinated other communication-related functions for the department

• NYC Publications
• Freelance Writer
• March 2006 to August 2007

• Freelance Writer for three NY-based publications:

  Ø QUEENS CHRONICLE, Queens, New York
  · Wrote feature stories for ‘qboro,' the arts and entertainment section.
  · Worked on articles for special anniversary issue.

  Ø THE INDIAN EXPRESS NORTH AMERICAN EDITION, New York
  · Independently planned and produced special supplements on investment, real estate, weddings, and other stories, including cover story on the evolution of Indian immigrant culture in the United States.
  · Wrote food reviews for the Indian food section.

  Ø INDIA ABROAD, New York
  · Pitched story ideas; generated feature stories.
  · Pitched a cover story, ‘Homeward Bound,' on US immigrants returning home.

• Sunday Mid Day (Mid Day Multimedia Ltd.)
• Copy Editor and Feature Writer
• March 2004 to November 2005

• · Editorial team member of this major English-language Mumbai daily; helped plan and coordinate the paper, generated story ideas, reported news, wrote features, edited copy, and handled print and Web layout and design.
  · Wrote more than 130 stories and contributed ideas for revamping the newspaper content and design.

Education

• New York University
• Master's in Public Relations & Corporate Communication, PR/Corporate Communication
• 2007 - 2009

• GPA: 4.0