Open to opportunities

Sandeep Sarkar

@sandeepsarkar

Message

I am a senior communications leader and former journalist with 30 years' experience.

India

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek senior communications leadership or consultancy roles to lead strategic and crisis communications, mentor teams, and shape organisational reputation across sectors.

I am a communications professional with 30 years' experience—14 as a journalist and 16 in public relations—specialising in strategic and crisis communications across sectors including infrastructure, real estate, healthcare, telecom and aviation. I have counselled clients through complex mandates and led media relations, client servicing and content development.

My journalism career spanned publications such as The Daily, The Indian Express, The Statesman and The Telegraph, where I covered crime, courts, politics, infrastructure and business across Mumbai, Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Siliguri. In PR I have held senior roles at Ketchum Sampark, Vaishnavi Corporate Communications, Reliance Industries, Metigon Enterprises, Ogilvy PR and Adfactors, delivering reputation programmes for organisations and institutions.

I hold a master's in Economics and additional qualifications in advertising, public relations and digital marketing, and have developed extensive media and stakeholder networks nationwide. I bring strategic judgement, crisis-readiness and hands-on counsel, and I am looking to lead communications or consultancy engagements that protect and build reputations.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Director Consultant

Current

The Good Edge

Sep 2023 - Present (1 year 11 months)

Provides strategic communications and senior counsel to clients across sectors since September 2023, focusing on reputation, crisis readiness and media strategy. Advises boutique PR firms and leads high-impact stakeholder engagement initiatives.

Strategic Communications Crisis Communications Media Relations Stakeholder Management Client Counsel Reputation Management Content Development Internal Communications

Independent Consultant

Apr 2023 - Sep 2023 (5 months)

Delivered short-term PR and communications engagements for boutique firms and corporate clients from April to September 2023, focusing on campaign execution and counsel. Supported media outreach and content development for diverse mandates.

Media Relations Campaign Management Content Development Client Servicing Strategic Planning

Group Head

Adfactors Public Relations

Mar 2015 - Mar 2023 (8 years)

Led client servicing and strategic communications teams from March 2015 to March 2023, managing multi-sector mandates including infrastructure, real estate and healthcare. Oversaw crisis communications and media strategy to protect and advance client reputations.

Client Servicing Crisis Communications Media Relations Team Leadership Strategic Communications Stakeholder Management Content Strategy

Partner

Ogilvy Public Relations

May 2014 - Feb 2015 (9 months)

Partnered with clients from May 2014 to February 2015 to define PR strategy and drive large-scale communications programs. Managed cross-functional teams to deliver integrated media and stakeholder engagement plans.

PR Strategy Media Relations Client Leadership Team Management Campaign Planning Measurement

Vice President

Metigon Enterprises

Feb 2013 - Apr 2014 (1 year 2 months)

Led PR and communications functions from February 2013 to April 2014, delivering corporate messaging, media outreach and content for clients across sectors. Provided senior counsel on reputation and stakeholder issues.

Corporate Communications Media Relations Content Development Crisis Communications Client Counsel Strategic Planning Team Coordination

General Manager

Reliance Industries Limited

Nov 2011 - Feb 2013 (1 year 3 months)

Managed internal and external communications from November 2011 to February 2013, supporting corporate initiatives and stakeholder engagement. Developed content and counsel for complex organizational messages.

Internal Communications Media Relations Content Strategy Stakeholder Engagement Crisis Response Cross Functional Collaboration

Deputy General Manager

Vaishnavi Corporate Communications

Jul 2010 - Oct 2011 (1 year 3 months)

Oversaw client campaigns and media outreach from July 2010 to October 2011, handling sectors such as real estate, retail and infrastructure. Led content creation and client counsel to drive visibility and reputational goals.

Client Servicing Media Relations Content Creation Strategic Communications Campaign Management

Manager

Sampark PR

Jun 2008 - Jun 2010 (2 years)

Managed PR projects and media relations from June 2008 to June 2010, focusing on client servicing and crisis support across multiple industries. Coordinated outreach and message delivery for corporate clients.

Media Relations Client Servicing Content Development Campaign Execution

Special Correspondent

Mumbai Mirror

Oct 2007 - May 2008 (7 months)

Reported as Special Correspondent from October 2007 to May 2008, producing investigative and daily coverage with emphasis on civic issues and local developments. Managed story development and source relationships.

Investigative Reporting News Writing Source Development Interviewing

Chief of Bureau

The Telegraph

Aug 2005 - Oct 2007 (2 years 2 months)

Led the Jamshedpur bureau from August 2005 to October 2007, directing regional news coverage across crime, politics, infrastructure and business beats. Supervised reporters and coordinated regional editorial strategy.

Bureau Management Regional Reporting Team Supervision News Editing

Deputy Chief of Bureau

The Statesman

Jun 2002 - Aug 2005 (3 years 2 months)

Served as Deputy Chief of Bureau (North Bengal) from June 2002 to August 2005, overseeing regional reporting and editorial coordination. Covered diverse beats including courts, politics and civic issues.

Team Leadership News Editing Investigative Reporting Stakeholder Engagement

News Reporter

Indian Express

Jul 1997 - Mar 2000 (2 years 8 months)

Reported news from July 1997 to March 2000, covering various beats and producing investigative and daily copy for publication. Developed source networks and met tight editorial deadlines.

News Reporting Source Development Interviewing Writing Editorial Standards

Reporter

The Daily

Jul 1994 - Jun 1997 (2 years 11 months)

Worked as a reporter from July 1994 to June 1997 on India's morning tabloid, covering city and regional stories and contributing to editorial content. Built foundational reporting and writing skills.

Feature Writing Deadline Reporting